Brett Eugene Ralph wrote: Am I the only one out there who think's that Zeppelin's "Black Dog" is a direct rip of "Oh Well" in both the riff and the vocal melody? Of course, "Black dog" is better, but still...

So the Mac gets a not crap from me--although I draw the line at Bob Welch.

It's also been oft repeated that Fleetwood Mac's "Albatross" was the influence for the droning and spacey guitar bit that opens the Beatles' "Sun King". I think it's a grasping comparison, but I've received no official confirmation/denial either way.

EDIT: In another interview, George says that the recording is inspired by Fleetwood Mac's "Albatross". "At the time, 'Albatross' (by Fleetwood Mac) was out, with all the reverb on guitar. So we said, 'Let's be Fleetwood Mac doing Albatross, just to get going.' It never really sounded like Fleetwood Mac… but that was the point of origin."[1]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_King_(song)

Fucking hell, like there needs to be a poll? I love this band, they are the reason for my burgeoning musical tastes at an early age I reckon..NOT CRAP!

I'm listening to Sara repeatedly tonight. Magnificent song, doesn't really seem to be quite there.

Amazing band.

This is really like having to vote on like four different bands, but fuck it, overall there's enough excellent stuff that's been released under the 'Mac moniker that easily qualifies them as Not Crap. Admittedly, I have a soft spot for bands that carry a shitload of baggage, both superficial and legit, working against them, but manage to transcend it, to where only a fashion-trapped dimbleweed would deny that there's at least something worthwhile happening here.
My favorite FM records are Then Play On and Tusk.

(Notable waffles include Bob 'french tickler'(1) Welch era and the artwork/packaging of Tusk.

1. John Morton

Dr. O' Nothing wrote:This is really like having to vote on like four different bands

Totally -- like a c/nc on the Velvet Underground, as each album is completely its own animal.

I sort of have to take the standard record-store-nerd stance and say "man, have your heard their early stuff? It's so much better than when they got popular." Hearing the first three records really threw me for a forehead-slapping loop after years of hearing the hits.

At the end of the day, FM are not crap.

I recently saw the Classic Albums episode featuring Rumours after not even thinking about Fleetwood Mac for years. I was surprised at how many great songs were on it.

I haven't heard Tusk but may have to give it a listen.

NOT CRAP

Not crap.

I love this band, one of my favourites.

Agree with previous posters about Fleetwood Mac, Rumours and Tusk being a great trio of records.

Take Rumours: listen to "Dreams" and "You Make Loving Fun"; the rhythm section provide a tough but in no way heavy-handed foundation and Buckingham's guitar playing adds so much.

Tusk shows what a strong songwriter and arranger Lindsey Buckingham was; I love all of his songs on this album and "Beautiful Child" and "Brown Eyes" too.


Regarding cover versions of Fleetwood Mac material:

I don't like Camper Van Beethoven's "Tusk".

I despise the Corrs' version of "Dreams".

I do like Bruce Springsteen's version of "Landslide"......though

.....it's called "One Step Up"

I like the original blues-rock version of Fleetwood Mac a lot but don't like what happened to the three guitarists.