| Given their overarching history, Fleetwood Mac's 15-years-after studio reunion on Say You Will seems as unlikely as their initial, era-defining nova of success. Even cynics who suspect that it's just another cash-in by has-beens should find this stripped-down edition of the classic Mac (singer/songwriter/keyboardist Christine McVie opted out) bristling with a wealth of fresh, ambitious musical ideas. The responsibility for that creative renaissance rests squarely on the delicate shoulders of Lindsey Buckingham, more involved and motivated than he's been in any Mac project since the monumental Tusk. His crypto-folk structures and adventurous, Brian Wilson-inspired sonic textures are anything but predictable, illuminating "Miranda" "Red Rover" "Come" and even the mildly pedantic harangue "Murrow Turning Over in His Grave". With Christine McVie's poignant pop sense out of the mix, Stevie Nicks steps up with solid songcraft that rises beyond the expected folk-mysticism of "Ilume" to encompass other melancholy, age-defying feats such as "Silver Girl", "Smile at You", "Goodbye Baby" and the title track. That duet with Buckingham argues that their vaunted creative axis may have lost its personal friction only to spin ever freer. And, like firm ground beneath the feet, it's too easy to take for granted the legendary Mick Fleetwood/John McVie rhythm section that gave the band its very name. Cut to its core dozen tracks, it's an album that easily stands comparison to their mega-platinum past. --Jerry McCulley |
