Like the ever-growing legion of their peers in middle-aged rockdom, Fleetwood Mac can't stay away from the game. But unlike the bulk of the reunion-tour set, they're not merely coasting on fumes, as borne out by this much-anticipated comeback album. The key to
Say You Will's success is
Lindsey Buckingham, who's more involved in the songwriting and production process than he has been in ages. As ever, he manages to swaddle messages both angst-ridden ("Peacekeeper") and bittersweet ("Steal Your Heart Away") in melodies that float like cotton-candy clouds. He's also coaxed ex-partner
Stevie Nicks into a couple more rounds of the lovelorn sparring that provided the Mac with some of their biggest hits in the '70s -- here, Buckingham and Nicks imbue duets bearing titles like "Say Goodbye" and "Goodbye Baby" with a sense of finality.
Say You Will has its share of leaden moments -- the anti-media screed "Murrow Turning Over in his Grave" crosses the line separating commentary and crotchety whining. Likewise, the presence of the now-retired
Christine McVie -- particularly the understated elegance of her keyboard arrangements -- is greatly missed. But when Nicks whirls, pixie-like, through the soft haze of "Silver Girl," the years melt away like frost on an early spring morning.
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