Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” needs no introduction, the complicated heartbreaks and affairs among the 5 band members have been famous since the production process of this album.

Now, the surprising yet not so surprising part about the album is that just like its cover, it features just 2 members of the band, namely Mick Fleetwood (the drummer and de facto leader) and Stevie Nicks (the vocalist).

Mick and Stevie both seem to be dressed in their stage costumes on the album’s cover. Nicks is embracing the “Rhiannon” character that according to her is an “old welsh witch”. It is actually taken from the novel, ‘Triad’ by Mary Leader. Whereas, Fleetwood is standing rather stoically holding Nicks’ hand & providing support to her leg. It’s as if Mick is trying to remain untouched by Stevie! (Not that he succeeded, soon after the release of this album their chaotic love affair began).

Now, to get to the part we know you all are desperately waiting for, the mystery of the 3 balls.

Yes, Fleetwood is sporting two wooden dangling balls and no, the crass reference is not something we let slip. Those balls are pieces of “lavatory chains” that Mick seemed to have tugged and stolen from a toilet during the early years of his career.

As most of you might know, Mick started out as a blues player, and one day he walked on stage with these balls, and they have just stuck with him since. They’ve become a perverse good luck charm and companion during his shows.

Onto, the third ball, its a crystal one in Stevie’s hand. Maybe, its a character prop for Rhiannon, or maybe, just maybe - it’s an allusion to “crystal vision” in Dreams. And if one wants to look too deep into it, maybe it’s just her looking for an out from the ‘Rumours’ era via the crystal ball.

We’ll leave it upto you to decide what you want to believe in, may your find happiness in whichever crystal ball theory you choose to believe in.

As for the songs, well you all know about most of them. You could pick Go Your Own Way, Dreams and The Chain, but it really is impossible to say that these are the 'best' songs. Just listen to the whole record, for it has all good songs that you are sure to rewind to. With amazing lyrics, timeless melodies, this really is one of the best albums of all time.

As for the album and if you didn’t know, its the eleventh studio album by the British-American rock band which was released on 4^th February 1977 by Warner Bros. Records. Largely recorded in California in 1976, it was produced by the band with Ken Caillat and Richard Dashut. 

This album is available on vinyl at @drocer.record.

Rating: *****

Release Date: 4^th February, 1977

Duration: 39:03

Genre: Pop/ Rock

Recording Date: 3^rd March, 1976

Reviewed by Kinjal Gosar

Kinjal Gosar is the Founder of Drocer Record, an online Vinyl Record Store based in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. She is a Rock head and a vinyl collector herself. They also have their Demo set up at Adagio, Bandra. Drocer Record is your one-stop shop for all your vinyl record needs. Our aim is to spread the joy of listening to music by transporting you to another world. We sell records of all genres – new and pre-loved, speakers, amps and audio solutions, cleaning solutions, Hi Fi Audio Solutions, Vinyl Accessories, and a lot more. www.drocerrecord.com