Penguin

chiliD · #1 07-13-2009, 10:34 AM

If they'd just have put some other song than "Roadrunner" on the album, it would've improved the overall album ten-fold. They could've re-done Savoy Brown's cover of the Temptations' "Can't Get Next To You" (that Dave sang) and it would've been 100x's better. "The Derelict" took about 20 years to grow on me, so it's off the hit-list now.

Christine was in great form on this album. How those songs weren't radio hits is just mind boggling.

Welch hadn't quite hit his stride yet, but you could see that his songs were a step up from his Bare Trees tunes...Mystery To Me was definitely his strongest album.

Just amazing that back in those days, bands could release two albums of all-new material within a year's time. We were so spoiled and didn't even know it.

vivfox · #2 07-13-2009, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiliD

Just amazing that back in those days, bands could release two albums of all-new material within a year's time. We were so spoiled and didn't even know it.

They still can and they still do. It's just that now the genre is in hip hop music.

jenniferuk · #3 07-13-2009, 06:09 PM

So glad that you picked up a copy and had the thought to start this thread. I've dusted off my copy and listened twice today. For some reason I hadn't done that in a long time...been on a BT and FG kick lately.

My thoughts on this one are similar to those posted: I like the album, I don't care for RR. Overall I'd put it in the middle in terms of top to bottom list of my favourite FM albums--if I'd been asked yesterday it would have been toward the bottom as I hadn't listened to it in ages. Need to go and see what else needs a dusting off...

sjpdg · #4 07-17-2009, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vivfox

They still can and they still do. It's just that now the genre is in hip hop music.

Music?

Really? Looped tracks of the same beat with the same lyrics repeated over, and over, and over again?

No offense intended, but I just can't see how that is music. Some people really love it, and hey they have every right to. I just don't consider it music. Just my humble opinion.

nicepace · #5 07-17-2009, 07:45 AM

To my thinking 'Penguin' is the most uneven of the Bob Welch era albums, but I still love to listen to it. It's true that it's short, only nine songs, one of which is (almost) an instrumental. To my ear the two Dave Walker songs feel uncomfortably out of place, but when you think about the history of the Mac, they were constantly adding new singer/songwriters, and Dave was one they added who lasted for just a blink of an eye. "Derelict" is a good song, I think "Road Runner" is a real throwaway.

I think Chris's songs on here are particularly strong, and I think the wonderful faux-Caribbean treatment of "Did You Ever Love Me" shows the band were trying new musical ideas and branching out. The one defining characteristic of Fleetwood Mac over their history is you can't define them.

David · #6 07-17-2009, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjpdg

Music?

Really? Looped tracks of the same beat with the same lyrics repeated over, and over, and over again?

No offense intended, but I just can't see how that is music. Some people really love it, and hey they have every right to. I just don't consider it music. Just my humble opinion.

I never got into hip-hop, either -- neither the music nor the look.

sjpdg · #7 07-17-2009, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

I never got into hip-hop, either -- neither the music nor the look.

Me either! Never could understand how walking around looking like you have a load in your pants was fashionable!!

And those "songs"?! Just never sounds like music to me. Sounds just aweful.

SteveMacD · #8 07-17-2009, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiliD

Just amazing that back in those days, bands could release two albums of all-new material within a year's time. We were so spoiled and didn't even know it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vivfox

They still can and they still do. It's just that now the genre is in hip hop music.

In 2009 alone, Robert Pollard is set to release (full-length studio albums in bold)

January - Robert Pollard - The Crawling Distance
February - Boston Spaceships - The Planets Are Blasted
April - Circus Devils - Gringo
May - Cosmos (Bob and Richard Davies) - Jar Of Jam Ton Of Bricks and Eat 7
July - Licking Stamps and Drinking ****ty Coffee Live
August - Robert Pollard - Elephant Jokes and Boston Spaceships poster
September - Eat 8 and the Boston Spaceships Sub Pop 7"
October - Boston Spaceships - Zero to 99
November - The Devil Went Home And Puked DVD
December - Suitcase 3 4-CD boxset and Briefcase 3 LP (previously unreleased material)

So, that's SIX full-length albums, a live album, a DVD, his THIRD 4-CD set of unreleased material, two magazines of collages, and a 7" EP. In MY world, two albums a year would be a horrible year!

aleuzzi · #9 07-16-2009, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiliD

Christine was in great form on this album. How those songs weren't radio hits is just mind boggling.

Welch hadn't quite hit his stride yet, but you could see that his songs were a step up from his Bare Trees tunes...Mystery To Me was definitely his strongest album.

I entirely agree. Remember Me has one of those melodies that stick in my head. It could be rearranged as a hit for any number of younger stars.

I love Welch's work on Penguin, particularly "Night Watch," which is such a dynamic tune. The lead guitar (not Green's echo fills, but the other one--Welch's? Weston's?) is incredible. And the block chord harmonies (which are definitely strengthened by Walker's presence) are thrilling to hear.

I only wish Penguin was a bit longer.