Alternate Mirage

About

Given the achievements of <i>Fleetwood Mac</i>, <i>Rumors</i>, and <i>Tusk</i>, it’s easy to think of <i>Mirage</i> as an afterthought, the work of a band who conquered the world and nearly destroyed themselves in the proce. The music feels warm and familiar without being fearful or staid. There are moments of optimism (Lindsey Buckingham’s “Eyes of the World”), of introspection (Stevie Nicks’ “Gypsy”), and carefree romantic bliss (Christine McVie’s “Hold Me”). Buckingham later called it “reactionary”—an unusual word in that it implies conflict where the sound does anything but. But settle into its mellow delivery and sparkling surfaces (<i>Mirage</i> is a smart title) and you hear what he means: They’re as good as they ever were, but grounded by the difference of not having as much to prove. In the absence of soap operas and warring egos (a tension soothed in part by a long break and solo albums for Buckingham, Nick, and even Mick Fleetwood), they settle into the job they signed up for seven years earlier: a platinum-selling band that makes interesting pop-rock without trying to pry the form apart. .

via Apple Music

The Clerk says

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