Music review: Lindsey Buckingham – 鈥楲indsey Buckingham鈥�
The last few years have been particularly challenging for Lindsey Buckingham.
Since 2018, the California native has experienced the pain of being asked to leave Fleetwood Mac, endured open-heart surgery, adjusted to being an artist during a global pandemic and coped with the added stress of marital unbliss. That being said, the 71-year-old singer-songwriter manages to come out for the better, sounding stronger than ever on his latest self-titled release.
Written, produced and recorded by Buckingham at his home studio in Los Angeles, the 10-song set possesses signature touches from previous Buckingham solo efforts as well as other classic Fleetwood Mac material. Every track is carefully treated to Buckingham鈥檚 exceptional guitar skills, flawless vocals and revealing lyrics.
With 鈥淪cream,鈥� Buckingham opens the album optimistically by highlighting the many joys of having a companion share in the everyday moments that make up the day by proclaiming, 鈥淣ighttime鈥檚 the time I love so much/Lost in the language of your touch/Just like you鈥檙e waking from the dream.鈥�
Buckingham seems to take the bumps in the road all in stride with 鈥淚 Don鈥檛 Mind.鈥� 鈥淥n and on and on we go now/Rain will fall and winds will blow now,鈥� sings Buckingham with a renewed perspective for what lies ahead.
鈥淥n the Wrong Side鈥� finds Buckingham emotionally coming to grips with the departure from his former band by declaring, 鈥淓very now and then I fall/Every now and then I rise/When my back鈥檚 against the wall/Still sometimes I compromise.鈥�
Buckingham covers 鈥淭ime鈥� from the Pozo-Seco Singers by giving the 1966 folk hit a simplistic sophistication with a heartwarming vocal performance that is tenderly captivating.
While the opening arrangement focuses on the comforts of love, the tracks 鈥淏lind Love,鈥� 鈥淪anta Rosa,鈥� 鈥淏lue Light鈥� and 鈥淧ower Down鈥� address the heartbreak of a fragile love and the desire to return to a simpler time when hope flourished and dreams were provided proper time to fully bloom.
Buckingham鈥檚 first solo effort since 2011鈥檚 鈥淪eeds We Sow鈥� ranks as one of his best of seven offerings. Perhaps Buckingham sums up his life and career best when singing, 鈥淟iving life in overload/That鈥檚 the way it鈥檚 always been.鈥�
Whether alone or with Fleetwood Mac, Buckingham demonstrates that he still has plenty of great music to offer.