Let's welcome Lindsey Buckingham's new release

Lindsey Buckingham’s attempts to rehabilitate his early 2018 began almost immediately. A solo tour etched his identity while making it clear he wasn’t licking his wounds in anguish or defeat.

Ironically, the last project Buckingham was involved in was a collaborative effort with Christine McVie. The album was originally intended as a Mac project until Stevie Nicks, the supposed instigator of the effort to oust her former partner, declined to participate. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the only setback Buckingham was forced to contend with. A year after being given his walking papers, he underwent open-heart surgery. Then earlier this year, his wife Kristen filed for divorce.

Naturally, there are occasional signs of that trauma underscoring his new album, although most are masked by his usual shine and shimmer. Given the title Lindsey Buckingliam, the songs on the record share the effusive style he procured during his tenure with Mac. “On the Wrong Side” boasts a pulsating rhythm and an explosive chorus sounds like “Go Your Own Way” reworked with a personal purpose. 

The opening track “Scream” suggests a penchant for unruly relationships—perhaps an unwitting admission that Nicks’ supposed inference about Buckingham’s abusive behavior wasn’t without cause. 

Likewise, “Blind Love” comes across as a plea to a resistant lover, while the subtle yet unsettling “Power Down” hints at the divide that can unhinge even the most reliable relationships.

Despite those darker clouds, there are plenty of moments that find the sun shining through. “Santa Rosa” is as alluring as anything in Buckingham’s expansive catalog, its lilting tones effortlessly adding a bright sheen to the proceedings.

So too, the hushed harmonies of “Time” and the solitary sound of “Dancing” indicate Buckingham also possesses a decidedly sensitive side.

Ultimately, Lindsey Buckingham is a triumphant tour de force. It may be considered a comeback, but it’s an impressive outing indeed.