So I fear I just wrote a whole lot. Highlights below include the lovely women of Fleetwood Mac, Charlie Brown, and Kid Cudi. If you’re intrigued, read on.
Fantastic Fleetwood Mac
Read the word “mirage.” I hope I am not alone in thinking it was pronounced “My-rahj.” The only reason this mispronunciation was corrected and the word was defined for me was because I recently happened upon Fleetwood Mac’s thirteenth studio album, titled “Mirage.” Released in 1982, it was one of the band’s biggest efforts into the soft rock space. Boy do I appreciate this project of theirs. I had not previously even heard of this album, but there are some classics hidden in its discography like “Gypsy” and “Hold Me.” “Gypsy” being on this album tells you all you need to know about the rest of the songs. Its hypnotic beat and ethereal humms are actively-dance-around-worthy. You just can’t have a bad day after hearing it.
If any part of “Gypsy” scratches that itch for you, I am happy to say that “Mirage” is filled with even more songs like it. “That’s Alright” highlights Stevie’s folky and kick-the-dust-up type side. It’s a nice little head-rocking tune, I think there’s even a subtle cowbell in the background. Definitely a switch from their usual musically reflective vibe (but the lyrics definitely say otherwise).
Somehow Stevie manages to touch on a more brutal yet beautiful tone in “Straight Back.” Christine McVie even gets in some light and unforgettable harmonies that are just so Fleetwood Mac.
Speaking of McVie, I almost forgot about my major obsession with “Tusk” earlier this month. This hyperfixation of Fleetwood Mac’s twelfth studio album (1979) was almost entirely driven by a Nicks’ classic “Storms.” While I agree with most that “Dreams” is a top two Fleetwood Mac song, I fear “Storms” might be that other major competitor.
“Every night you do not come/
Your softness fades away.”
The delicacy in Stevie’s tone, the light accompanying guitar strums, Christine’s mesmerizing vocals–this song demonstrates the perfection and craftsmanship of Fleetwood Mac women. You could never convince me that Lindsay Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood were not brought to fame for any other reason than these two women.
Anyway, there are way too many finds on “Tusk” than I can recount right now. I’ll give you some quick highlights: “Tusk,” “That’s All for Everyone,” “Sara,” “Over & Over,” “Honey Hi,” and “Brown Eyes” were all immediate additions to my music library. And of course, “Sisters of the Moon” is a top 10 Fleetwood Mac song. Holy rock n’ roll.
“And a black widow spider makes/
More sound than she.”
That’s deep. That’s intense. Once again, these are the badass women of Fleetwood Mac. They’re pretty much my role models.
To conclude, one theme I’ve found in Fleetwood Mac is that they really can do anything, and they can do it well. While no song on “Tusk” could ever belong on “Rumors” or “Tango in the Night,” each song is so clearly theirs and represents them. Not sure you can find a group like that today.
Not to keep glazing Stevie, but I have also ventured into a lot of her solo work this month. Her albums “The Wild Heart” and “Bella Donna” have really caught my listening ears. “Sable on Blond” is such a standout song. But I really want to dedicate a few sentences to her collaboration with Tom Petty on “I Will Run To You.” His work normally parallels a sector of rock I don’t listen to that often, like Van Morrison type vibes, but I appreciate his different features in other artists’ songs. Another song being… “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” which is also on “Bella Donna.” I think it’s just incredible to me how these amazing artists were at their peaks together and had the ability to create these masterpieces. I can only look at these songs’ success and admire their beauty in retrospect. To be there when these were being recorded and released would’ve been incredible. I wonder if they realized how timeless their sounds would be.
Anyway, I digress. If you’re interested in listening to some more Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks, and some British Rock of the time (as Spotify calls it), I have the playlist for you:
Geekin’ Over Vince Gauraldi
So I am a bit in awe of how much I just wrote. I guess I have been listening to a lot of music this month. But gear up, this recap ain’t over yet. I can’t talk about October without talking about one of the most important sounds of fall. That is no other than “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” by Vince Guaraldi. This life-altering soundtrack was released in 1966 behind the Peanuts Halloween special. It has been associated with the leaves changing colors, the crisp chill in the air, and the peak of soccer season for me since elementary school.
I’d say the perfect time to pop these tunes on is during a nice little jog. I know the order and different versions of each song pretty much by heart at this point, so I feel inclined to tell you that “The Great Pumpkin Waltz” (any version) and “Graveyard Theme” are the classics. You also definitely already know and love “Linus and Lucy.” In 2022, original rerecordings were released and blessed us with even more takes of these jazz songs.
If you’re feeling anxious and just need to be brought back to the leaves and the trees… take a stroll and give this soundtrack a listen. Maybe even watch the special itself (if you haven’t already).
And finally…
Last but not least, I finally updated my massive R&B/rap collection playlist on Spotify (always a timely task):
After listening around to some new (for me) Kid Cudi, I added in a bunch off of “Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin.’” It really isn’t talked about enough at all. “Kitchen” will always be my favorite, but “Baptized in Fire” and a bunch more really ain’t bad.
I’d also say that due to my random Frank Ocean 5-day phase, a lot of “channel ORANGE” was added in. “Pyramids” is pretty much an unmatched Frank song, but “Pink Matter” and “End” and more are just so good, too. It’s crazy how little he has actually released, yet he has created such an insane ripple through the music industry.
Anyway, I didn’t realize that I’d be writing all of this down for like an hour and a half, but here I am. If you made it this far, thanks for tuning into my October (coining it Fleetwood Mactober) recap.
Iz FM 
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