Tusk

Love this record bought it to keep it as special not to play still sealed.

Despite the 'Hype' re this double album in its' day,it didn't 100% deliver for all Mac fans.That said it contains lots of brilliant output here.Have the Original Vinyl, convenience purchase as background listening uninterupted by 4 vinyl turnovers.Great item for completists.Karl O'Neill.

I have been a Fleetwood Mac fan ever since listening to Rumors when I was around ten years old back in 1980. Then I bought Tango In The Night back in mid 1980's - it was my very first album/vinyl I had ever bought. Over the years I have dipped in and out, listening to tracks through out my Univeristy and work life. I now own all their albums since Rumors - except Tusk. I had never heard of it!After watching various BBC documentaries such as "Fleetwood Mac - Don't Stop" about the trouble and turmoils that each band member went through while recording Rumors, I was hooked once again.Then recently I listened to an excellent BBC radio documentary called "Followup Albums: Fleetwood Mac Tusk", after which I didn't really want to buy Tusk, thinking that it couldn't possibly be THAT bad?But I did and have only just finished listening to it - oh my, what a surprisingly BRILLIANT album. I heard a few 'experimental' tracks by Buckingham and although they are a little 'weird' to say the least they are still GOOD. Listening to Sarah, Save Me A Place and Storms makes you feel that this album is another classic - except I heard from the documentaries that it wasn't well received. I just don't get it - WHY?Was it Buckingham's tracks that reviewers didn't like or were the reviewer simply watching the antics of the band members too closely to fully appreciate the brilliance of Tusk? Even Ken Collett said it didn't sound very good!I don't know and I am sad that it wasn't well received, but reading the reviews here on Amazon, you can see that the majority feel the same way as I do. Well Done, Fleetwood Mac for recording such a great album.

First Released in 1977; The Rumours album firmly established 'phase 3' Fleetwood mac - as a household name and international rock superstars - with this phenomenally successful l.p. album of aor/mor classic songs - both critically and commercially acclaimed.When 1979 arrived; it was time for the rather daunting task for the band to record a follow up album.Guitarist/vocalist and songwriter: Lyndsey Buckingham,must have had a light-bulb moment,and suggested to his fellow band members; rather than opt for a safe,similar follow-up to Rumours - which he feared would lead to them becoming smug,complacent and egotistical,without them even realising it - they would go in an alternative,experimental direction for their next recording project.The resultant album was Tusk - released in november 1979.This album was a lot different,in many ways to Rumours (and) Fleetwood mac/white album (1975).Its ambitious,mainly uncommercial,left field and experimental - and more.Lyndsey Buckingham had become the de-facto leader of FM - With the direction he took on the Tusk album.Music variety is well represented; dreamy,haunting ballads; Over & over,Brown eyes (Christine McVie),Sara,Sister moon (Stevie Nicks) - upbeat,classy pop - Think about me - and all sorts of goings on with Lyndsey B's contributions.e.g. punk: The ledge,detect cajun/bluegrass on: That's enough for me,Not that funny - undefined genre,sounding rather deranged,but a necessary evil for Tusk's DNA to work so well.(check out the live version on FM live album - wow!)The title track is another rule breaker:With its heavy drum beat,crowd noises,marching band,vocal ensemble of main vocalists..This is maverick music in the extreme - wonderful stuff all round.Original double album closer: Never forget (beautiful vocals as usual) by Christine Mc Vie - is a meloncholic,but fitting end to the whole Tusk experience.Twenty tracks in total - I have just highlighted some of my favourites.At time of release - it's fair to say - Tusk received mixed reviews and a pretty baffled reaction from the music press etc "Not as good as Rumours"..I must admit to having a similar reaction,when I first heard it a couple or so years afterwards.but having listened to this 2004 (long overdue) re-issue of Tusk (the album) I love it!Including: a second disc of previously unreleased; demos,alternative versions and out-takes.along with informative essay of the era,full reproduction of original album art work,colour photos,lyrics,and original and re-issue credits.Lyndsey Buckingham certainly took a punt with his work ethics for Tusk; but with the passage of time,certainly paid off.his intelligence and tenacity,ensuring the continued success of - music legends - Fleetwood mac.Have to give constant members: Mick Fleetwood and John McVie (don't mention Bob Brunning) a special mention - vastly underrated drummer and bass guitarist - respectively.their contributions to the Tusk album are fairly unusumming but - all the same - truly outstanding!!

Tusk wasn’t everybody’s cup of tea in 1979. The majority of the band members weren’t especially happy with it at the time but as the years have passed it is critically acclaimed and is a wonderful window on group pushing themselves on to new styles under the irrepressible force of Lindsey Buckingham. The combination of three talented songwriters and five brilliant musicians means there’s something for everyone: Nicks’s hippie heartfelt and dreamy lyrics (plus the cracker that is “Angel”), McVie’s songwriting brilliance and bluesy noir style and Buckingham’s flirtation with an edgier “Clash” inspired sound that goes well beyond the album’s eponymous title. As time passes, I love this album more and more, as a snapshot of brilliance in transition.