Artist: Fleetwood Mac Album: Tusk

Year: 1979
Duration: 1:12:24

A Deep Dive into Fleetwood Mac’s “Tusk”: A Critical Review and Brief History

Fleetwood Mac has been one of the most iconic rock groups of all time. Despite shifting lineups over their decades-long career, they’ve continuously churned out hits that remain classics to this day. One of their most idiosyncratic albums, 1979’s “Tusk,” is something of a polarizing work among Fleetwood Mac fans. We’re going to take a critical deep dive into its history, genre, standout tracks, and most innovative parts. Whether you’re a Fleetwood Mac fanatic or just love rock music, sit back and enjoy this intro to “Tusk.”

To begin, let’s take a brief look at Fleetwood Mac’s history. Formed in London in the mid-1960s, the band has been through multiple lineups and genres over the years. Consisting of members such as Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, and Christine McVie, the band shot to international fame with hits like “Rumours” and “Dreams.” “Tusk” came colossally after their smash hit record “Rumours”, which was a classic in the mid 70s.

The album “Tusk” is unusual for a few reasons. Firstly, it’s a double album with twenty tracks, which is a significant contrast to the sleek and coherent sound of “Rumours” that only had eleven tracks. The album is also notable for its range of music genres, which seems like a bold shift from Fleetwood Mac’s traditional soft rock sound. “Tusk” incorporates elements of punk rock and African-inspired rhythms. I would say that it was risky putting a double album with that range of genres, but Fleetwood Mac managed to turn it into something cool and out of the box.

Despite having many songs, it was noted that “Tusk” didn't quite reach the same commercial triumph as its predecessor. Nonetheless, the album boasts some fantastic tracks, including the anthemic title track Tusk, Sara, and Storms. The operatic and grand arrangement in the title track provides a perfect example of Fleetwood Mac's experiment with the new genres they incised in the album. “Sara” is a bewitching song with its melancholic piano ballad that culminates in a dramatic guitar solo. Storms, on the other hand, is a melodramatic moment with a distinctive drum pattern and Christine McVie's stirring vocals.

One of the standout moments of Tusk is the African-inspired track That’s All For Everyone. The song starts with a synthesized melody and waves of snares and percussion that sounds like the eighties and reminds one of Michael Jackson's Wanna be starting something. The lyrics are cryptic but do contain a jibe that Lindsey Buckingham was dissatisfied with the rest of the team. Still, the new sound they managed to fiddle into the track makes it a musical triumph.

Finally, let’s take a glance at the overall critical response to “Tusk.” Critics were divided on the album upon its release, with some praising its innovative sound, and others criticizing its lack of coherence and commercial potential. To put it plainly, “Tusk” is a remarkable album with groundbreaking moments, but it can be tough to tackle and lacks the melodic cohesiveness of classic Fleetwood Mac records like “Rumours.” It was a high-risk move to make this album, and Fleetwood Mac went for it and came out with something astoundingly unusual.

In conclusion, Fleetwood Mac’s “Tusk” is a daring piece of rock history, with plenty to admire. While it may not have received commercial success, the album’s experimental sound meant it was both an outstanding musical statement and a risk. We’ve discovered Fleetwood Mac’s journey, from its formative years to its iconic appearances in the ’70s and ’80s. “Tusk” will forever be a subject of music discourse, and to some, it will continue to be their favorite album. Fleetwood Mac remains one of the most unmistakable rock bands of all time, and “Tusk” proves that they’re still not afraid to experiment.

In conclusion, Fleetwood Mac’s “Tusk” is a daring piece of rock history, with plenty to admire. While it may not have received commercial success, the album’s experimental sound meant it was both an outstanding musical statement and a risk. We’ve discovered Fleetwood Mac’s journey, from its formative years to its iconic appearances in the ’70s and ’80s. “Tusk” will forever be a subject of music discourse, and to some, it will continue to be their favorite album. Fleetwood Mac remains one of the most unmistakable rock bands of all time, and “Tusk” proves that they’re still not afraid to experiment.