(Reprise)
Fleetwood Mac needs little introduction to music listeners-more than 73 million albums sold worldwide and a 1998 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame speak volumes for the popularity of the supergroup. What sets Buckingham, Nicks and company apart from many other mega-bands, however, is that 28 years and innumerable public battles (with drugs, weight and ex-lovers) later, they are capable of putting out a solid album of completely original material like Say You Will.
The sounds are familiar: Lindsey Buckingham's screaming guitar (and sometimes just screaming) with Stevie Nicks' vocals, which seem to be getting more gravelly with each passing year, have been among the band's hallmarks since 1975's Fleetwood Mac.
These sounds are the most notable elements of Say You Will, mostly due to the absence of Christine McVie (\You Making Loving Fun,"" ""Don't Stop""). Although McVie chose not to participate on the album (ex-husband John continues as bassist), the talents of Buckingham and Nicks, backed by John McVie and drummer Mick Fleetwood, are formidable and the main reason why Say You Will succeeds.
The album boasts a generous 18 new tracks, and many of them will undoubtedly find themselves to radio playlists. The title track is extremely catchy and surprisingly mellow considering Nicks and Buckingham's characteristic intensity. Nicks' songwriting talents shine on ""Thrown Down,"" ""Everybody Finds Out"" and ""Illume (9-11),"" the last of which is fortunately more ""The Rising"" than ""Bounce.""
Interspersed with Nicks' songs on the familiar themes of love, loss and heartbreak are tracks primarily by Buckingham. His guitar work and vocals on ""What's This World Coming To,"" ""Miranda"" and ""Steal Your Heart Away,"" is more subdued than many have come to expect (see ""Tusk"" and ""Go Your Own Way""), but are all the more affecting as a result.
Even with a group as successful as Fleetwood Mac, there are missteps among the 18 tracks. The painfully titled ""Murrow Turning Over In His Grave"" and ""Red Rover"" in particular do not live up to the spirit and emotion of the other songs. ""Bleed to Love Her,"" while not in any way a poor song, succeeded so admirably live on the band's 1997 reunion tour-album ""The Dance"" that one wonders what would possess Fleetwood Mac to mess with what was already perfectly good. Fortunately, Say You Will's highs substantially outnumber the lows. It may not be another Rumours, but Fleetwood Mac more than lives up to its reputation.
