I am gonna post write ups every once in a while about album releases that may have flown under your particular musical radar’s detection. They may also be releases you’ve not heard for a while.

MYSTERY TO ME – Fleetwood Mac - 1973

Originally an offshoot of one of the U.K.’s electric blues progenitors, John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, the Mac ultimately became famous for 2 things: a consistent revolving door of band members and a slick pop sound that dominated the album and pop charts in the late 70’s & early 80’s.

1973’s MYSTERY TO ME turned out to be a critical step on the way to chart domination that is one of my favorite records (not just Fleetwood Mac albums) that not a lot of people recollect. Sadly the album didn’t chart as well as it might have due to internal friction within the band & subsequent touring woes. Imagine that, Fleetwood Mac band members arguing!?!

The release starts off with “Emerald Eyes” which has Bob Welch’s sinewy guitar licks cutting through the band’s tight background harmonies. “Believe Me” is Christine McVie’s first number on the record, with a tougher rock edge that she would employ in her more popular later hits, with Bob Weston’s slide adding the muscle. “Crazy Love” follows up with its’ power chord chorus. “Hypnotized” is the album’s strongest and best known tune by far. “Forever” lilts along on a light faux reggae rhythm, closing side one. The album continues on a bit funkier, but less solid than the first five tracks. “Keep On Going”, “The City” & “Miles Away” with McVie and Welch’s co-lead vocals are the remaining standouts on this album.

It is hard to imagine pop music in the 70’s & 80’s without the Fleetwood Mac SoCal classics: FLEETWOOD MAC & RUMOURS, however it is still fun to pull out this album and drift through this fine collection of songs. It allows us to hear the genesis of the Christine McVie’s pop song styles contrasted with the late Bob Welch’s smooth L.A. rock sound.

#albumsyoushouldknow