One of the largest selling albums ever. Rave reviews from the critics. Grammy’s Album of the Year in 1977. The album figures in almost every Top 10 album list. How?

The answer lies in one word – Heartbreak. Actually it’s more like a heartbreak party of sorts.The five musicians who wrote these songs were going through emotionally cruel times. Couple Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks split prior to these recording sessions; long-time members John McVie and wife Christine were going through a divorce; and drummer Mick Fleetwood’s wife cheated on him with his best friend. A strange and difficult place for a band to be in. Interestingly, this bunch, called the Fleetwood Mac also happened to be very good at their craft and they turned this difficult place into the breathtakingly beautiful ‘Rumours’.

The 11 songs here are about the age old man – woman relationship struggles and collectively they have touched upon each and every nuance of it. Musically, the songs fit into the genre of pop - rock or sophisticated rock (if you may) with the guitarist, Lindsey Buckingham and the drummer Mick Fleetwood, as the chief sonic architects of the album.

Much has been written about the individual tracks in the album and each one of them is a gem on its own. Whichever stage or emotion of heartbreak you are in, there is a song for you here. On rebounds? Go for Second Hand News. Think it was a mistake? Try Never Going Back Again. Angry? Consider Go Your Own Way. Wishing him / her well? You have Songbird. I guess you get the drift.

And if you aren’t anywhere in the vicinity of a heartbreak, you can always bask in the musical glory and polished sound of the album. The musical surface of ‘Rumours’ is as cheerful as the depth of its anguish.

With time this piece of art has become an institution of sorts, a passage of rites, and an intrinsic part of every music lover’s collection. The album has been with me for 15 years now in several formats, from the magnetic tape to the vinyl LP and it has served me well…very well.

Year: 1977

Genre: Pop / Soft Rock

Duration: 40:01

Label: Warner Bros.

Producer: Fleetwood Mac, Ken Caillat, Richard Dashut

Rating: ****

Reviewed by Meraj Hasan

Meraj Hasan is a Mumbai based communication professional (and an amateur poet/musician) with a passion for listening to music the vinyl way. His 25 year old Technics turntable along with a humble collection of LPs across genres like Classic rock, Classical, Blues and Jazz (amongst others) are his prized possessions.

He can be reached at +91 9833410791 or email: meraj.hasan@gmail.com