[sjpdg]

Was "SYW" a bomb? I don't think so. Million album sales for a 70/80's band (as the B/N incarnation of FM is) don't happen often. Material is an issue. A "double" CD was certainly ambitious and an interesting idea, but over all, I would agree with the band, that it was somewhat disjointed. There are tracks that are clearly Lindsey solo material and tracks that are clearly Stevie solo material. They don't meld into the "FM" that us fans are used to, even with Stevie and Lindsey at the forefront. Christine is definitely a missing element and any contributions she did make prior to the albums release should have been played up, not down. There is an alternate version of "Steal Your Heart Away" where you definitely hear Christine more than on the CD version. Why not play that up to the fan base? "She's not touring with us, but she layed down some great tracks for the album!" would definitely have been a selling point, yes? I mean, I bought it anyway, but had there been more Christine heard, perhaps even some tracks where she sang lead, (and had it not been a "double" album) the album would have sold better, I'd almost guarantee it.

Honestly, there are times I think the band was just over-reaching in an attempt to make up for Christine not recording or touring on "SYW". Overall, it's not a horrible album. It's no "Penguin" (IMHO the absolute worst FM album ever!!), that's for sure!!

As Lindsey has mentioned numerous times, "Rumours" was a 'moment'. It happened, they achieved unbelievable success from it, but it may never happen again. What is important now is, does FM still produce music that its fan base likes, appreciates and buys? I would say the answer is "Yes!"