Seeds We Sow
By Lindsey Buckingham
Barnes & Noble link
It used to be epic news to hear that Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham was releasing a solo album. Go Insane and Out of the Cradle was a soul-rending eight years of waiting and wondering. For the last five years, he has spoiled fans by releasing three albums in a-year-and-some-odd time span. If each album ended up being as great as the last, then why did he take so damn long earlier? Well, it's not best to dwell on the past. We have to listen to Buckingham's latest offering! 'Cause, you never know... he could release another album soon.
I heard from various sources that it was going to sound like Out of the Cradle, which can be heard in the second track "In Our Own Time", among others. Despite that, it's a lighter, less electric Cradle. So it's basically Under the Skin 2.0: There May Be Occasional Electric Guitars? Nothing wrong with that.
For the first time, Buckingham shows his age... in his singing. His tenor has gotten more high-pitched, the songs' melodies suited for this change. The dude can rock, but he's not sounding like it. Or is this just another venture into Electric-Folkland, ala Under the Skin? As the album segues into the second half (right around "Rock Away Blind"), it begins to sound more like Cradle. So, basically, we're dealing with a hybrid. That does explain everything.
"In Our Own Time" showcases his signature fingerpicking style, drifting and bobbing to the minimalist percussion, a gorgeous river of strings. In fact, what percussion? The guitar work is the showcase here, alongside with the lyrics (about two people going through the motions of the relationship). Like the guitars, they are intense with calmer moments. The ups and downs of being with someone.
"Stars Are Crazy" has quite a fast tempo for an acoustic song. It speeds through the frantic feelings of realization, accusing the celestial bodies above their lovestruck heads of being to blame for separation and destruction ("star-crossed lovers" metaphor if I ever heard of one). It is definitely the "break-up" one of the bunch.
"When She Comes Down" is so achingly beautiful in the airy echoes of his voice and choir of acoustic guitars. It is also probably one of the few songs that could fit into Out of the Cradle just snugly between "Soul Drifter" and "This Is the Time". And speaking of "Soul Drifter", "...Down" has to be a kissing cousin, which would explain why I immediately latched to it. This has to be one of his best love songs. It is genuine and affectionate to the lady-in-question. Lucky girl... whoever she is.
Lindsey Buckingham is still doing what he does best: writing personal songs and sticking with his semi-electric folk-rock sound. It is a welcome to hear from a familiar voice, but you have to wonder if he's getting too old to scream and making the electric guitar squeal. Or maybe this is another exercise to prove that he can go back and forth between both worlds and still be the master of them. We shan't worry then, Buckingham's driving this bus.
Sidenote: Yes, I'm aware that the three songs reviewed are all love ones. That wasn't intentional, but I work with what my instinct feels is worth talking about.
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