Rumours by Fleetwood Mac - Research Paper Example

“Rumours” by Fleetwood Mac I. Introduction- “Rumours” is an album which its release is d back in 1976 with five members who were key to its production. The album has achieved a high level of success despite the criticisms from some people. Thesis-The need to discuss this album is inevitable since it has achieved such a high lvel of success as well as providing an inarguably powerful social and cultural legacy which will herein be analyzed. Points of discussion An overview of the production process of “Rumours” Summary on “Rumours” production Success of “Rumours” Challenges during the release of “Rumours” II. Summary on “Rumours” production Production and release of “Rumours” Impact of “Rumours” to the world III. An overview of the production process of “Rumours” The importance of the production process of the album and its release over other albums. “Rumours” must maintain its originality to avoid conflicts on piracing IV. Success of “Rumours” Members received several awards “Rumours” has been ranked number one in many nations Members received a lot of money V. Challenges during the release of ‘Rumours” Members had social problems among themselves Members had became drunkards and drug abusers The production process cost being high and time consuming VI. Conclusion The success of “Rumours” The influence “Rumours”had on culture Though it is the dream of nearly all rock and roll musicians to realize at least the partial level of success that the classic rock musicians achieved, this was not only a dream for the members of the band Fleetwood Mac but a reality. Whereas few bands are able to stay together, stay relevant, and continue to produce marketable music that continues to engage the population, Fleetwood Mac had no such issues. For purposes of this analysis, this essaywill seek to review and shed a level of understanding onto the bands 11th studio album entitled “Rumours”. As with many of their previous albums, Rumous experienced a wide degree of success and was certied fo thave sold over 40 million copies worldwide. Such a massive commercial success indicates that the ablum and the band themselves had a profound effect on the formation of American culture during the turbulent 1960s and 1970s. As a function of this impact, the proceeding analysis will consider the cultural role that the album and tha band has had on the American dynamic. Seeking to quantify the impact of the album of course requires one to reqalize the impact of the times in which it was recorded as well as understanding the unique dynamics that existed between the individual musicians at that time. Ultimately, what the band was most interested in, like most profitable musical acts, was to further the commercial success they had experienced within the past decade. As a function of moderate to wildly successful album sales for the past 10 albums that had been released, the trio of vocalists to engage in the commissioning and production of an 11th album. What is unique about the process that led to the creation of the 11th album is the fact that the band was ultimately struggling with a form of self destruction/headonism, interpersonal conflict, and the pressures that year after year of being on tour as well as the emotional strain of living a life of wreckless abandon necessarily entails. Moreover, the band members engaged in the highly successful vision of deviating, at least slightly, from their previous albums while at the same time not alienating their fan base in the process by presenting them with sounds that were too different from what they had come to love and from what had ultimately made Fleetwood Mac a staple of 70s rocknroll. Culturally, the album itself cannot and should not underestimated. Firstly, in order to understand the cultural influences that gave rise to the album itself, the reader should consider what was taking place in and around the world as well as in the United States in 1976. At this point, the Vietnam conflict which had provided such an axe to grind for so many within the hippie movement had wound down. The economic trials of the oil crisis, the threat or knowledge of AIDS and a litany of other things had simply not come to pass and allowed for the continuation of the same creative spark that had helped develop the free love/hippie movement to the degree it exhibited within that time period. As a direct function of the seemingly boundless enthusiasm, hedonism, and shimmering possibilities that faced the band as well as others within society at that time, Fleetwood Mac was able to mine a wealth of positive energy and optimism as a means of providing content for their upcoming album. However, beond merely producing a “happy clappy” 40 minute album, the band sought to utilize the strife, personal conflict, and difficulties that they had experienced over the past several years as a means of integrating with the reader an understanding of the subject matter they wished to put forward on this their 11th studio album. Yet, beyond the interanal culture thathelped to act upon the band itself as a means of creating the music that they ultimately did, the reader should also ask himself/herself with regards to what cultural impacts this particular album has had on the arean of pop music and specifically rock n roll. As with many classic rock albums from the past, “Rumours” is more than just an iconomic album; it is something that has and continues to shape the way that new musicians integrate with key concepts, ideas, as well as the production of their own individual music. This level of influence has been cited by rock n roll groups as diverse and talented as Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins, “Prince”, Bonnie, Courtney Love as well as a a litany of other. What this ultimately served to promote was not the fact that these diverse musicians merely appreciated what Fleetwood Mac had done and sought to copy it in some way or another; instead, Fleetwood Mac has ultimately provided a cultural template for the way in which good pop music can and should integrate with the time in which it isproduced and seek to speak to key societal dynamics that are illustrated therein. Criticisms of course exist with regards to the album; however, these are mainly concentric around the belief of detractors that the album itself is merely a further representation of what had been seen before from this band members. In order to speak to such a criticism, it should be noted by the reader that it would be nearly impossible to continue to utilize the same shareholders and the same instruments and voices and seek to provide a new and entirely different product on all 11 iterations of the band’ releases. Ultimately, the cultural impact of the music extends far beyond engaging admirers; rather it shows the power that music has with relation to influencing the restoration of peace despite the misunderstandings that naturally exist. Beyond merely understanding this in the political sense, the reader can and should engage with this by means of understanding the fact that the individual band members were necessitated to overcome their own lack of peace and trials threatened to rend them apart. As such, Fleetwood Mac is a crew which has enjoyed, and continues to enjoy, a very high level of international success and fame within the music world. As a function of this fame, they have received numerous awards as well as maintaining more than a few records for being so musically prolific and having so many albums released in such a short period of time. Furthermore, although the group sometimes has experienced mixed reactions from the audience and the buyers of their albums, they remained positive and focused upon achieving their respective goals. “Rumours” remains one of the most successful and best selling albums of the group even at current (Calliat 67). With respect to the actual recording of the album, it took place at a time when most of the group members were going through a period of intense personal struggles. As has been discussed, this distinct level of hardship meant that the band was able to turn these liability into an asset which they used to motivate the other group members. This level of composition mainly featured their life strains and complications as well as seeking to draw inference and meaning based upon these. Interestingly, many of the shareholders of the band within the music community were not sure whether the group, in such a state, would give its maximum output and be able to maintain their expectations. However, as time has proven, they ultimately showed their potential with the release of the album itself. During the release of their album, pop music reached what many critics have cited as the high point of 1970s pop music (Abravanel 12). With respect to the actual mechanics of the album itself, the instrumental combination varied since they wanted to improve the quality of their music and to conquer the world despite their struggles. The production process however took some time in the setting and fixing of their album and thus held back its release. Upon the release of the album, the band went on to engage in an aggressive publicity program. As such, the album received varying reactions from the audience, both positive and negative. The negative reactions especially which were critical did not deter the band as they engaged on an aggressive promotion of the new album by a very long and multi-national tour (John Wiley 11). The recording process faced with a high degree of drama and challenges took a great deal of time. The band members were not freely communicating with one another and almost all of them were sufferenig from broken familial and/or social ties. Unfortunately, as a means of providing a degree of separation from this unique personal tribulations, the band members almost exclusively turned to the means of alcohol and drugs to lessen the pain. The group used to spend so much money than expected and this did not impress people as they were considered extravagant. Much of this budget went to drugs and partying so as to relieve themselves of their emotional stresses and be able to record. Currently, rumours is a record setting album full of individual sorrows, expectations and joy all bonded in an instrument package. It is so attractive and enjoyable such that some may think it is the national anthem (Harris 60). This impacted so adversely in their work as sometimes they could be so intoxicated that they could not perform. However, beyond merely providing a blockage to the way in which the band could integrate its music with the fans, this perpetual level of behavior also meant that a very large sum of money was perennially thrown away on drugs and alcohol; making the endless process of cutting new albums and touring somewhat of a necessity for the band as a means to keep up such an extravagant and hedonistic lifestyle (Campbell 84). As with many musicians, a few of the members were of the belief that they actually performed in a more exemplorary fashion when they were either drunk or high. As a function of this, things went from bad to worse when the members finally separated and each had to move on in his/her own way although some came back later. Notably considering Christine McVie who played the role of a vocalist in the group, she had so much captivating and emotional feeling in her lyrics such that even the producers were envying her. Many owed these emotional lyrics to her parting with John McVie still another group member.( John Wiley 20). The disagreements between some of the members specifically John McVie and Buckingham, with regards to the song composition focused on acquiring better results. Many of Fleetwood Mac’s members, despite their personal life issues, had a concrete determination and ability and desire to achieve success at a greater level. The songs they have produced as a group and as individuals all have gained worldwide recognition for those who retain a love and passion for music. As a function of this, the major developes in the musical style and differentiation of Fleetwood Mac’s music was born out of the desire to inject key aspects of personal life into the end product (Hoskyns 78). The several world wide tours organized by the group has helped them popularize the album and also increase its sales as well as contributing to them receiving several awards. The songs have been modified regularly by some of the group members and redistributed again; as such, they have continued to sell. The success of the group is mainly based on their commitment and ability to give influential personal output and deal with personal life challenges. The group members separated although some have remained in the group since its start and have continuously enjoyed the fruits of the group’s success. Some of the members have started their own production and released some songs while others rework on their singles which they released while they were still in the group. Their songs majorly touch upon the issues surrounding love and life experiences. As such, they serve as a type of musical educationfor those who listen to them as well as entertaining them. To mention just a few songs in the album, like, “Go Your Own Way”, “Heart Breaking Dreams” and “The Chain”, these are some of the most influential and interesting songs to listen to. Their composition, plan of instruments and the voices are just amazing. They are appealing songs to one’s ear that can almost be guaranteed to boost one’s spirits when they are down. Then, rumours just cover them all and give the explanation as to why the world needs it even today. If there is any life experience one would want to know about and the strength beyond managing your personal crisis for the benefit of another, you just have to experience the album. Although mere talk of emotional issues, love, lust, and passion is not a determiment in and of itself to sell an album and/or to make it profitable, “Rumours” succeeded nonetheless (Trucks 40). The parting of the success however had its challenges. Money became a non-issue to the members as the world went crazy with their new album. They experienced all forms of luxury and were ready to explore it. The band had gained popularity and every other band wanted to be part the change mechanism that had defined Fleetwood Mac’s success. Offers came from all over trying to persuade the band members to join them as they knew success is inectious. In the end, many of the members parted ways with the group, some completely but others of late have been making a comeback for the group, notably, Buckingham and John (Caillat 28). The issues covered in this album have an influence to the culture of the American people. The issue of divorce first as it happened to John McVie and Christine McVie in the band, made people have a different perception about it. John and Christine divorced, the reason being Christine’s affair with one of the production directors; but this did not make them move away from the group. Instead, they continued their recording despite their separation. This showed that, no matter how painful divorce can be, one need courage and ability to get out of it successfully without destroying one’s personal life. As a function of this, it can be argued that the opion with reference to divorce, as a result of the album and a litany of other social factos began to change. Again the case of Buckingham and Nicks, they also had their own differences in their relationship but they still continued to give their maximum output to the group. This simply tells people that, the challenges you encounter in life should not hinder your success but rather should be a motivating factor for you to move on stronger (North 34). The entire group had their own disagreements. Each at some point wanted their opinion, which seemed to them correct, to be followed. Their different background origins were also affecting them and choosing of the place which would be uitilized during recording sessions also placed a great deal of stress upon the group. However, as it happened, they managed to get through all this and achieved an exceptionally high level of success. Although one cannot and should not make any broad platitudes with relation to how the band’s personal experience has served to influence culture, it is the belief of this author that it is safe to assume due to the analysis which has herein been performed, as well as the content of their music that the same intrinsic message were related on both fronts; and as a direct function of this the band has had a profound and lasting cultural influence. Work cited Abravanel, Lesley. South Florida, with the Best of Miami & the Keys. Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley, 2008. Internet resource. Caillat, Ken, and Steven Stiefel. Making Rumours: The Inside Story of the Classic Fleetwood Mac Album. Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley & Sons, 2012. Print. Campbell, Michael, and James Brody. Rock and Roll: An Introduction. Belmont, Calif: Thomson Schirmer, 2008. Print. Harris, Carol A. Storms: My Life with Lindsey Buckingham and Fleetwood Mac. Chicago: Chicago Review Press, 2009. Print. Hoskyns, Barney. Hotel California: The True-Life Adventures of Crosby, Stills, Nash, Young, Mitchell, Taylor, Browne, Ronstadt, Geffen, the Eagles, and Their Many Friends. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley, 2007. Internet resource. North, Freya. Rumours. London: Harper, 2012. Print. Trucks, Rob. Tusk. New York: Continuum, 2011. Print. Read More