Rumours

Amazing how Fleetwood Mac was able to channel their inner turmoil to fantastic music. Also, Buckingham is an underrated guitarist.

Amazing album. No bad songs.

This album was fantastic. I’d already listened to half of it before because half this album are some of Fleetwood Mac’s biggest hits but even the stuff that don’t make the greatest hits collection are still great. Truely one of the greatest albums of all time!

Classic album. No bad songs.

Absolutely stunning.

Plays like a greatest hits compilation, crazy that all of these songs are on one album.

All bangers, all the time. Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow.

Classic

NO NOTES

Absolute all time greatest album. I think maybe 2 songs on this masterpiece are not immediately iconic. The Chain is the song id kill to listen to again for the first time. Absolutely wild.

Yea man all time classic yeah man this is the dream aww yeah

A near perfect album for me. It does have a couple tracks that I find to be a little weaker, but still not bad songs by a long shot. The hits make up for any weakness in spades as well. Knowing the group's messy dynamics adds an interesting layer to the lyrics as well as you wonder which songs are about who, if they even are. Aside from that I have always been a fan of the pairing of the lyrics with the sound. For me this holds up as one of the greatest albums, so an easy 5 star.

YES!!!! Now I don’t look forward to the rest of the albums of this week. It’s Monday and this can not be topped.

A classic Gold Dust Woman is my favourite - would have liked Silver Springs on the album but GDW works better as a closer

iconic, no notes

Excellent album been in my collection for years. Every sone great on it feel the riff between Stevie and Lyndsey and the riffs in the tracks. The chain is iconic

One of my favorite albums of all time.

Topalbum

When former lovers Play lost love songs together The pain resonates

no brainer

I literally can’t wrap my head around the fact that this generated. And I feel so basic for enjoying this but honestly I’d rather be basic than wrong. Every single member of the band shines on this album because even though it was the worst period of their relationships, they put all of that into the music with full honesty and commitment to the album. Stevie Nicks arguably shines the brightest on this album, and I’d have to argue that this album has her best songwriting with FM (I mean Dreams? Gold Dust Woman? Silver Springs even though it’s not on the standard edition???) But that also makes me so pissed that they didn’t include Tango in the Night on this list so listeners could really understand the magic that Lindsay Buckingham and Christine McVie brought to the table as a songwriting duo (although you get a taste of that on Don’t Stop). But you get a sense of the full group’s genius on their (imo) magnum opus, The Chain. And Christine shines as a writer in Songbird and also as a keyboardist in You Make Loving Fun, and Lindsay shines as a writer in Go Your Own Way and as a guitar player in Never Going Back Again. I don’t play drums or bass so I am less attuned to the successfulness of John McVie or Mick Fleetwood but John’s bass on Dreams and The Chain is really great and Mick’s drumming on Dreams and Go Your Own Way really make the songs for me. To anyone listening to this album and reading this, my next wish is for you to watch their live concert filmed in 1997 after they reunited briefly called The Dance. There are versions of it on YouTube and the album is on Spotify. But it is just phenomenal how much chemistry this band has and how successfully they were able to channel it all into such great music. If there are live albums on this list I truly cannot wrap my head around why The Dance isn’t on this list but whatever. Maybe I’m just a fangirl. Anyways I love Fleetwood Mac so much and as much as I love Rumours and it 1000% deserves to be here, I also wish there were a few more FM albums on this list, namely their 1975 self titled and Tango (and these should maybe replace Tusk?? I love Tusk but it feels like a weird pick). I’m a weird fan of Mirage as well even though I don’t think it belongs here but I really encourage people to listen past Gypsy (still a great song tho). Suffice it to say this is a no skip album (yes, even Oh Daddy), and not just me, but everyone should hear this before they die. It’s rare that I have that sentiment but I just feel like this band changed the face of music with this album. And even putting the context of it aside, it is stunningly written, arranged, and produced. There’s a reason why this is a textbook example of great music.

as of today, "rumours" by fleetwood mac is currently the highest rated album on the 1001 albums tracker website, and for good reason. aesthetically rich and near-perfect in production, this is an essential soft rock album. every song is a hit. peppy, expressive and radiant and with a mixture of both acoustic and electronic elements, this album is a perfect window to the relationships and thoughts surrounding the band, and many songs express emotions between members. stevie nicks has the voice of a goddess.

Not my all time favourite album but well-deserving of a 5. Definitely biased though since I grew up listening to Fleetwood Mac.

Obviously one of the greatest of all time ever. Yes, yes, yes - everyone knows the backstory, and it's been in the Top 10 selling albums for a billion weeks and Bill Clinton etc but COME ON. For me, this is John's album more than anything. As Mick says in one of the (many) documentaries "the man is a whole band on his own there". But remove any one of the parts, and it couldn't possibly be the same. And kids, if your parents tell you "don't do drugs" (and, you should probably not, but anyway) point at this album for evidence of shovelling as much fine grade Colombian up your hooter as you can.

10/10 album. One of the greatest albums of all time.

Słuchałam już wcześniej, znałam też i lubiłam wszystkie piosenki osobno, ale teraz zagłębiłam się w całość i poczytałam więcej o perypetiach wokół powstawania albumu. Jak to nie implodowalo - nie wiem. Ale wyszło im naprawdę coś świetnego. Autostrada hitów. Wszystkie piosenki są tak dobre, że żadnej się nie przeskakuje. Szkoda, że "Silver Springs" nie znalazło się na oryginalnym wydaniu, bo to naprawdę mocny utwór. "Gold Dust Woman" mi jakoś dobrze weszło tym razem. Eh, chciałabym umieć pisać o muzyce.

Wow. What an album. Deservedly the second ranked out of all the albums on the global ranking. Each song well refined, well recorded, and well thought through. In the midst of nearly killing each other, they managed to somehow all shine through, pitching in a piece of their creativity into each and every song. It refrains from being repetitive but still has that nature in which it weaves together into one large project. Based here, but my favorite just has to be Dreams. Such an iconic song. I won't be surprised if it has a resurgance in popularity with teens (if it hasn't already) just like Iris by The goo goo dolls. 10/10.

A classic

Obrigado Senhor do Meme por nos resgatar essa obra maravilhosa!

People could make the argument that this album/band is overrated, but I'd say it's properly rated right as it should be. 6 all timer singles, plus 5 "deep cuts" that hold up to the big tracks. Though not perfect in my opinion as I don't really care for Songbird or Oh Daddy, I think the rest of the songs more than make up for the 2 I usually end up skipping to warrant a 5 stars.

I mean, it's Rumours? What can you really say that hasn't already been said about one of the best albums of all time? I've listened to this album plenty of times, but listening to it with a critical ear I did sort of wonder how "Oh Daddy" made the cut over "Silver Springs," and "Don't Stop" seems so different compared to all the other songs lyrically, and actually I think would have been better served at the end, but those are my two main criticisms. Even with that being said, the album is still brilliant. "Second Hand News" is a perfect opener to this album, and literally every song after practically perfect. Knowing how dysfunctional the band was at the time, it's almost shocking they were able to put together something so iconic. Possibly the best album ever to play after a break up. I like to pretend "Silver Springs" is the last track after "Gold Dust Woman," even though it's not part of the official album track list. If it was, I'd put it before "Gold Dust Woman," which I think is just an absolutely brilliant closing song for the album and wraps everything up perfectly. Okay, I guess I had a lot to say, but this album is just so stacked. Not a weak track here, and the band is at their best. One of the easiest 5 star ratings I've given.

Come on now. 1st one. Listened to 1000 times. Alright lets do it again.

Every track a banger! Such a classic album.

Comparteixen un petit llenguatge privat, l'omplen d'amor i ressentiment, i desemboca en un àlbum per la història. Sense Rumours no seria el que sóc.

When I listen to an album like Rumours I ask myself, "does music get better than this?" Seriously, does it? The instrumental arrangements, performances, tones, mixes, melodies, and grooves are all perfect. This album deserves all the accolades, acclaim, and commercial success it has.

It seems like this album has become the consensus pick for "best album" by Millennials. It's the one album that most people my age agree is great. I find it interesting that this is brought up more than a lot of the usual suspects (Thriller, Dark Side of the Moon, Abbey Road, What's Going On, Pet Sounds, Songs In the Key of Life) or more recent albums that were part of Millennial culture (1989, American Idiot, Marshall Mathers LP, Back to Black, Lemonade, 21, Good Kid MAAD City). My working theory is that checks a lot of boxes. It's old enough to have prestige (*footnote*). It's rock, but not too "rock" to turn off the poptimists. Any song could be played on a classics, easy listening, or muzak station. And, notably, it's got *drama* behind the scenes to talk about. It seems like everybody at this point knows that most of the songs are about the relationship web of the songwriters. Also, and most importantly, it is actually great. I love this album. I just find it surprising how much of a consensus there is around this album. It's weird how much some people, especially my peers, have become averse to celebrating the present, in a way that I truly don't understand and doesn't really relate to this album, but I want to note it. I mentioned that Shohei Ohtani was on the path to becoming the best baseball player ever, and I got criticized as having recency bias by friends who are not fans of baseball, and similar criticism for praising active athletes and new films as among the greats. Even things like saying child mortality is at its lowest ever is treated like propaganda. Anyway, I was talking about an album

Fantastic! 5/5

Great

makes me want to skateboard to work while drinking a bottle of cranberry juice

Another album which I don’t need to listen to or if I never heard again it wouldn’t matter as I know it so well. I have been wondering when this album would turn up for me as I’m aware that it sits at the top of the highest rated albums just ahead of Abbey Road and DSOTM which I rate higher than Rumours. So I have the dilemma of should I be sneaky and mark it down or give it its true 5 stars? Easy decision really because I have to agree with the majority that this album is iconic and will be regarded as such centuries from now. So many highlights are on this album but Lindsey Buckingham’s guitar solo on Go Your Own Way is one of the best ever and even better in its lengthened form when played live. 5/5 15/3/25

Come on. The only way it could be better is if it were tusk.

I would put this in the top five albums ever made. We need more than five stars for this one. I can't even pick a favorite song because there are too many. It's a tie betweeen Never Going Back Again, The Chain, and I Don't Want to Know.

I believe the International Bureau of Weights and Measures uses this as the standard for 5-star albums.

still not entirely my thing but also its just undeniable

Amazing as expected

An album for cheaters by cheaters

Rumours is a masterpiece and an easy 5 from me. 3 of the best-ever songwriters at the top of their game and egging each other on. Lindsay is a top tier guitarist, Mick and John are one of the best 'rhythm section's ever, Christine's alto-ish voice and groovy keys stick everything together sonically, and Stevie Nicks is a star from the inside out and top to bottom - voice, writing, image, persona, mystery... this band had EVERYTHING in 1977 and this is the record of that event. Tremendous record.

The contrarian in me feels really goobie giving 5⭐️ to the highest rated album on the entire list, but it is what it is ya know? Think I bought myself some credit by giving Led Zep IV a two, anyway. Just balancing the books.

a 10. not even a question. cocaine fueled angst to a backdrop of smooth rock.

beautiful. genius.

AMAZING ALBUM

jees

fav

Never been a huge fan, but her voice sounds amazing throughout this album. I didn't realize that like all of their big songs are coming from this album. They definitely have a specific sound and while I can appreciate it, it doesn't always resonate with me. While I didn't love it, I get the appeal. Maybe if I didn't hear the hits as much as I have, I'd appreciate it more. I've gone back and listened to only a few of these album so far, but this is one I'm gonna relisten to.

This is a great album. It isn’t something that I’d put on. However, it is always good on the radio or in a movie.

It’s perfect. One of my favorite albums of all time.

Another one of these I own a physical copy of. This came as a hand me down from my mother-in-law. I know a lot of people hate their mother-in-law, but not me. She’s great. She quietly reads her book. I quietly read mine. Nothing is said unless one of is grabbing another round of beers, and we each try to get through our books before her husband or my wife come over and start yapping about some nonsense. Such a fantastic album that gets a lot of play time at my house. Thanks for the record, Nancy.

"When you're in a band you don't get with your bandmate's girlfriend - past or present....you get a love triangle ya know? Fleetwood Mac situation....Well there was four of them, so more of a love square....mind you, they did make some of their best music back then." "Rumours" "No, that's all true." I'm not sure I've ever actually listened to this full album. Full of bangers....always impressive when every song on a Wikipedia track listing has its own article. No skips...five stars...was ready to spin it again as soon as it ended.

This is the site’s highest rated album (as of writing) for good reason. Throw this on shuffle and you’d probably land on a megahit. Even the “deep cuts” have the aura of hit singles. It’s pure perfection in song

I once heard Rumours described as "the most accessible album of all time", and I have to say that I couldn't agree more with that judgement. Like I just can't see how anyone of literally any demographic can dislike this. Plus the bass part in The Chain is so good that it completely trumps any flaws that this album has anyway, I say as if this album even has any flaws to begin with.

5/5 a classic

Songbird

Fantastic album, front to back. Easy 5.

I've listened dozens of times to this album (as everyone else), and I still have the feeling when listening to it that I'm facing a perfect craft of entertainment. I was in the car listening to it and thinking about *what* makes it so obvious that you're listening to a masterpiece. It may be something like 40% good songs + 40% good engineering + 20% musicianship. More musicianship is good, but definitely not needed (look at all those Ramones, Pistols, etc that created historic albums). TL;DR. Amazing sound and top-notch songs. All time farlopa-fueled masterpiece.

One of my favorite albums of all time!

Love it. “Dreams” is one of my all time favorite songs. Great from start to finish.

Haven't given a 5 in a while. This one is just about a flawless album. Also...Stevie Nicks went to Skyline sooooo you gotta support.

A great album!

Is there anything left to say about Rumours that has not already been said? Most definitely not, but I’ll add my two cents anyway. This album is literally as good as music can get. The composition of the tracks stay catchy, but are also surprisingly complex even when they sound simple. I remember thinking some time ago that I’d learn The Chain on guitar, then looking at the tab and wondering what in holy hell was going on. I genuinely love this album. It shows that all you need to make a great album is a butt load of talent, and exceptional levels of conflict by having the band members all shagging each other.

All amazing

goat

Definitely better than Tusk. All the bangers are here! Competently made, no weird experiments, good instrumentals and vocal work. 'Dreams' was my fave from this album.

A long-time favorite.

quite simply the greatest album of all time.

Bangers start to finish, so far my favorite album. The story behind it gives it extra spice

For those of you who don’t know much about this band or the making of this album, here’s a quick follow-up. “Rumours” is renowned for its songwriting and the emotional intensity of its tracks. Every single band member was going through personal breakups and dealing with substance abuse and depression. Stevie Nicks (Vocals) and Lindsey Buckingham (Guitar, Vocals) were in a long-term relationship that ended during the making of this album. Christine McVie (Keyboards, Vocals) and John McVie (Bass) were married, but their marriage ended in divorce during the album’s creation. Mick Fleetwood (Drums) was dealing with his own marital issues, as his wife Jenny Boyd was having an affair with his best friend. It’s baffling how they all attracted such negative energy at the same time. Despite the serious tension and emotional pain, they continued to work closely together, writing and performing songs that referenced their personal struggles. This challenging and intense environment allowed them to vent their frustrations and emotions through their music. The result was raw, honest lyrics and music with a timeless quality, strong melodies, and catchy hooks.

No skips. Great album!

Honestly I thought I would enjoy this but I didn’t expect how much. So many a classics and even the ones I didn’t know are classics. Songbird an unexpected delight.

I mean, it’s Rumours.

Absolute magic.

Nothing I can say about this album that hasn’t already said so I won’t bother! Easy 5

What more is there to say about this album. Favourite track is The Chain 5/5

Following Ringo Starr and Nick Mason, Mick Fleetwood and Rumours complete my favorite trifecta of the classic storyline where the majority of a band is imploding in bitter arguments while the drummer just sits happily behind the kit and keeps on pounding obliviously. Also, probably doing obscene amount of drugs.

If you’re familiar with story of Rumours (and let’s face it, you are), then it’s obvious that the fact that I’m able to listen to it today is a miracle - no less. Easiest 5 I’ve awarded an album so far.

It's hard to argue with a classic.

"The band would come in at 7 at night, have a big feast, party till 1 or 2 in the morning, and then when they were so whacked-out they couldn't do anything, they'd start recording" Devastating relationship turmoil, heavy drugs, and a fuck ton of talent gave us all one of the best pieces of music. Ever.

Much has been said about this album, but what stands out to me is how well it has aged. Songs like Dreams feel truly timeless, resonating with generation after generation. No matter how many times I listen, I never seem to tire of it.

Close to perfection. It was clear there was a LOT happening in this band when this came out and almost every song showcases the emotional energy that resulted. In addition to the great lyrics and brilliant music, it’s just beautiful to listen to. It was a 5 when it was new. It’ll be a 5 forever.

Not even a fan and I knew every song on this album. A band at the top of their game. A classic

One of the easiest 5 stars I'll give. Yeah, it's cliche at this point to say how great this album is, but, you know what? It is great, and it deserves all the praise it gets and to be the highest rated album on this site.

A master class of a pop music album.

Hands down one of my favorite albums of all time and I would contend it’s in the running for best album of all time. It delivers on every front. Each song is unique, as is every member of the band, and while they each shine through in their own ways, they also have a way of knowing how and when to let someone else take the stage. The lore of the notorious relationship of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham is obviously critical to this album’s success, but I think that’s also because, like most great art, it’s not just about aesthetic or technique. The perspective that drives the artist is what vitalizes their work into something transcendent. Christine and John McVie were going through it as well while Stevie and Lindsey want nothing more than to tear each other apart. Mick Fleetwood just trying to keep the band together. I fully count Silver Springs as part of Rumours even though it was not on the original cut. Super Deluxe version all the way. Go Your Own Way is absolute perfection. I have a rule where I play it back to back every time, unless I’m doing a strict purist album run like today. It’s actually a song I have listened to for hours straight when I want inspiration or when I fucking lock in on something. If I am ever dying just punk this straight into my veins. The Chain has one of the most boss bass line breakdowns ever. Pure rock. Lindsey’s finger picking in Never Going Back again is insane. I will learn it in full some day but he’s basically rocking two separate time signatures with his thumb vs his other fingers that is unusually difficult for hand picking in general. If you all didn’t listen to Silver Springs as the 12th and final sign to this album please reward yourself with maybe the greatest vocal crescendo you’ll ever hear. She fucking hates that man lol. The lyrics alone would make that song goated but her performance is just mystical. Sing it out at the top of your lungs and tell me that is not the most accurate encapsulation of romantic torment you’ve ever felt. Songbird was Blair and I’s first dance at our wedding. We considered every song on this album one by one and we had a case for each, but for obvious reasons we wanted one of the more hopeful songs. 5/5. 100/100. Flawless in every way. Iv’e listened to it probably once a month for the last 10 years. I have my mother’s vinyl copy and I consider it a family heirloom.

ooooo this was tough. on the surface, I was like, this is an easy five stars. I love listening to Rumours. It's an album that I will throw on myself constantly and enjoy listening to. but analyzing it... I think that the last four tracks are weaker than how the album starts out. They aren't bad, but they don't have the same punch as 'Second Hand News', 'Don't Stop' or 'Go Your Own Way'. I was thinking about giving this album a four stars due to the final almost 1/3 of the album, but even this morning writing this review I can't in good conscious give this album anything less than a five. I went and listened to those four songs again, and actually super enjoyed this this morning in their own right. in short, I waffled on the score for no reason. this album is amazing. long live Rumours.

I did not realize how many amazing songs were on this single album. And even the songs that I had never heard before were really impressive and enjoyable. Might be the easiest 5-star on the list so far.

I’ve started and stopped writing this review so many times. I’ve just loved this album for so long I don’t know anything new to say. I love it to bottom. All the singles are obviously amazing but even the just album tracks stand on their own. The chain, Songbird, and never going back again are some of my all time favorites. Just love it all.

Awesome album. This is one of the highest rated albums on the list. It is 100% warranted. Amazing. Completely deserving of 5 stars.

One of my favorite college memories is 4/20 my first year while I was living with one of my best friends, Josiah. Somehow I had convinced him to eat a homemade weed cookie (thank you, Marie) and while we were waiting for it to kick in we went and got Cook Out. When we got back I grabbed my Rumours vinyl and cranked up my shitty speakers. If not for what happened after, Josiah would have told you that was the best Cook Out experience he’s ever had. Ranch wraps taste better when you can’t feel your body and the drop on The Chain hits. Unfortunately, a few hours later I convinced him to rip my tiny bong. After facing a rip that looked like cotton balls had been stuffed in the glass, Josiah spent the next hour by the toilet, having his worst Cook Out experience. Overzealous, I know, but my naivety and state of mind had me thinking this newbie could embrace the holiday like a veteran. While tending to my fallen comrade, I figured I might as well keep the party going. So I flipped the record back over to Side A and finished off the rest of the pack in the bong. Dancing to Dreams as I brought him another glass of water. There are seven songs on this album that I can listen to at any moment, and a couple that are absolute all-timers. Fleetwood Mac are amazing, and this is by far their best work. An easy five stars.

There are some albums that you always hear about being the greatest of all time. It's always at the top of lists and never has a negative review. It's been hyped up your whole life. You think to yourself that surely it can't be that good. Then you give it a listen. The big radio hits are 5/5. The instrumentation is 5/5. The lyrics are 5/5. The backstory of how the album is made is 5/5. This album by itself is damn near perfect, and then you get the cherry on top of all the drama happening behind the scenes. You can get lost into everything about this record. This album really does live up to the hype.

Mush listen

Still remember where I was the first time I heard this album and it hit me. One of my all time tops

Yep, perfect lovely thank you :)

Stonker of an album, one of my faves and everyone elses too by the looks of it! It makes sense that this album is the top rated of all 1001, it's just great music and I think it appeals to any person of any age. Every song is a banger, there's no filler and with all the crazy stuff happening when they made this album, I think it came out exceptionally well. Fav song: Dreams

You can see why this is the highest rated album on the list

Could double as Fleetwood Mac’s greatest hits album. Pretty much every song is practically a household name.

Great album with tons of hits!

2/10/25. All-time album for me. Every song is a 10 or nearly a 10, and love the versatility.

Perfect 👌🏻

Wouldn't have called myself a Fleetwood Mac fan but there's too many good songs on here to not give it a 5

One of the best albums ever.

This album is an all timer. Every song is good. Production is great. It never misses.

As a young punk I spent so much time "hating" this album while secretly loving almost everything on it. It's equal parts joyful, angry, wistful, sad and totally cocaine-fueled. The Lindsay Buckingham and Christine McVie songs alone are worth the price of admission. The only thing that makes this album a little less perfect is knowing that Silver Springs could've been on this LP.

Fleetwood Mac's *Rumours* (1977) is a landmark album that transcends its era, blending raw emotional storytelling with polished production. Born from personal turmoil and creative friction, it remains a cultural touchstone, celebrated for its lyrical honesty, genre-defying sound, and enduring influence. Below is a detailed analysis of its lyrical depth, musicality, production, themes, and legacy, alongside its strengths and limitations. --- ## Lyrical Content: Emotional Catharsis and Relatable Turmoil The lyrics on *Rumours* are a candid reflection of the band’s fractured relationships. Written during breakups—Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham’s split, Christine and John McVie’s divorce, and Mick Fleetwood’s marital struggles—the album channels anguish, hope, and resignation. - **Personal vs. Universal**: Tracks like Buckingham’s bitter “Go Your Own Way” (“Loving you isn’t the right thing to do”) contrast with Nicks’ introspective “Dreams” (“Players only love you when they’re playing”), offering dual perspectives on their breakup[2][4]. Christine McVie’s “Don’t Stop” injects optimism, while “Songbird” serves as a fragile, universal ode to love[4]. - **Collaborative Vulnerability**: “The Chain,” the sole song co-written by all members, symbolizes their forced unity: “Chain keep us together”[6]. This tension between individuality and collective survival underscores the album’s lyrical theme of resilience amid chaos[4]. --- ## Musical Composition: Genre Fusion and Harmonic Brilliance *Rumours* melds rock, pop, and folk into a cohesive yet diverse sound, elevated by the band’s interplay. - **Vocal Harmonies**: The trio of Nicks, Buckingham, and Christine McVie creates lush layers, particularly in “Dreams” and “Gold Dust Woman,” where ethereal vocals contrast with gritty instrumentation[1][3]. - **Instrumental Mastery**: Buckingham’s guitar work oscillates between fiery riffs (“Go Your Own Way”) and delicate fingerpicking (“Never Going Back Again”). Mick Fleetwood’s percussive ingenuity—like the iconic tom-tom intro of “The Chain”—anchors the album’s rhythmic complexity[1][6]. - **Genre Fluidity**: From the folk-rock sway of “Dreams” to the pop-rock energy of “You Make Loving Fun,” the album avoids stylistic stagnation, appealing to broad audiences[1][3]. --- ## Production: Polished Chaos The recording process was fraught with tension, yet producers Ken Caillat and Richard Dashut crafted a sonically pristine album. - **Studio Alchemy**: Despite recording in multiple studios (including Criteria Studios in Miami), the team achieved a unified sound. Subtle touches—like the reverb on Nicks’ vocals in “Gold Dust Woman” or the layered harmonies in “Second Hand News”—enhance emotional resonance[1][4]. - **Emotional Authenticity**: The band’s turmoil seeped into sessions, resulting in raw performances. Christine McVie’s Wurlitzer electric piano on “Don’t Stop” and Buckingham’s aggressive strumming on “Go Your Own Way” capture unfiltered emotion[4][6]. --- ## Themes: Love, Loss, and Resilience *Rumours* explores the duality of human connection—its fragility and tenacity. - **Heartbreak and Healing**: The album’s narrative arc moves from anger (“Go Your Own Way”) to acceptance (“Don’t Stop”), mirroring the band’s journey[2][4]. - **Universal Resonance**: While rooted in personal drama, themes of betrayal, longing, and hope resonate universally. Tracks like “Songbird” and “Dreams” feel timeless, transcending their 1970s origins[3][5]. --- ## Influence: Shaping Modern Music *Rumours* redefined album-oriented rock and inspired generations of artists. - **Artistic Legacy**: Its blend of emotional transparency and studio polish influenced acts like Lorde, The Cranberries, and Tori Amos[5]. The 1998 tribute album *Legacy* featured covers by Matchbox 20 and Jewel, underscoring its cross-generational appeal[4]. - **Commercial and Cultural Impact**: With over 40 million copies sold, *Rumours* demonstrated that deeply personal art could achieve mass success. Its Grammy win for Album of the Year (1978) and induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame (2003) cement its status[4][5]. --- ## Pros and Cons | **Pros** | **Cons** | |-------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------| | **Songwriting Depth**: Raw, relatable lyrics elevate personal stories into universal anthems[1][3]. | **Emotional Weight**: The album’s intensity may overwhelm casual listeners[1]. | | **Production Excellence**: Seamless blending of rock, pop, and folk with pristine sound quality[1][4]. | **Track Balance**: Lesser-known songs like “Oh Daddy” are overshadowed by hits[4][6]. | | **Vocal and Instrumental Synergy**: Buckingham’s guitar, Fleetwood’s drums, and trio harmonies create a rich sonic tapestry[1][6]. | **Dated Elements**: Some 1970s production choices (e.g., synth tones) feel nostalgic but not timeless[4]. | | **Cultural Longevity**: Continues to influence modern music and attract new listeners[5]. | | --- ## Conclusion *Rumours* is a masterclass in transforming personal strife into art. Its lyrical candor, genre-spanning sound, and meticulous production have solidified its place as one of the greatest albums ever recorded. While its emotional rawness and era-specific quirks may not appeal to all, the album’s strengths—universal storytelling, musical innovation, and cultural staying power—far outweigh its minor flaws. Over four decades later, *Rumours* remains a testament to the redemptive power of music, proving that even discord can create harmony.

If my car had a cassette deck this would be in it. These are also the truck nuts i'd get for my car. A good counterpoint for the argument against dating coworkers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR3SLhcbcxo You think there was ever a discussion about calling this Rumors instead?

Yep

Banger from front to back. Also, Christine McVie is the George Harrison of Fleetwood Mac. If I had to pick a favorite song on this album (because they're all so good), it'd be "Songbird."

Popular for a reason

Eines der besten Fleetwood Mac Alben. Immer wieder schön zu hören. 5/5

hit... after hit... after hit... after, not songbird... after hit

Pop perfection

One of my favourites. The first cassette that went into my first car. No skips, it’s an absolute masterpiece.

mind blowing

I can now understand why Rumours is the highest rated album on the list. It begins with the superb production. You can hear the bass strings as clearly as if they were being struck next to you. Then you have this pretty unique mix of rock, singer-songwriter, pop and folk. Plus, the members give me likeable hippie vibes. Thematically, it's all about breakups. Obvious, if you read a bit about the making of the album. But approached from different angles and the songs are also distinct musically and in terms of content without breaking cohesion. There is always the subliminal struggle between vulnerability and emotional outbursts, softness and hardness. You can clearly hear that all the members have poured their hearts into this. Even though I've had more fun with other albums, Rumours is the most well-rounded one I've come across so far.

Rumors is an album I am very familiar with- I've probably listened to it in full about 5-6 times. Heralded as one of the best albums of all time, some of which is attributed to its mystique. Outside of all the rumors (pun intended) surrounding its production, the album still produces a huge string of hits, including some of the best representations of 70s rock (Dreams, Go Your Own Way, The Chain). Still, listening to the original album and not the delux edition, there are still some flaws. One is that Songbird feels out of place in the album, and doesnt add much to the overall presentation. The more obvious flaw is the decision to leave Silver Springs off the album, which really is a perfect final song that is sorely missing from the original recording. Overall- hard to deny the power this album has and the variety of sound that resulted in so many unique top-10 hits. That combined with its lore easily give this one a 5.

goat, no more to say

It was good I mean, it’s quintessential and a classic for a reason. Very folksy. I definitely feel a lot of emotions when listening to this album. I feel like it’s very of the times.

**An Appreciation of *Rumours* by Fleetwood Mac** Few albums in rock history capture raw emotion, impeccable craftsmanship, and timeless appeal quite like *Rumours* by Fleetwood Mac. Released in 1977, this masterpiece is more than just a collection of songs—it’s an intimate portrait of a band in turmoil, turning personal heartbreak into musical gold. At the time of recording, Fleetwood Mac was a band in crisis. The five members—Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie, John McVie, and Mick Fleetwood—were tangled in a web of romantic breakups, betrayals, and emotional turbulence. Rather than tearing them apart, these tensions fueled some of the most passionate and affecting songs ever put to tape. The result? An album that resonates just as deeply today as it did nearly five decades ago. From the moment *Rumours* begins with “Second Hand News,” Lindsey Buckingham’s urgent, rhythmic strumming sets the tone: this is an album brimming with both heartache and resilience. Stevie Nicks’ ethereal “Dreams” follows, a song that remains the band’s only No. 1 hit in the U.S., its hypnotic groove and poignant lyrics capturing the ache of love lost. Christine McVie’s “Don’t Stop” provides a hopeful contrast, while “Go Your Own Way” seethes with Buckingham’s frustration, turning heartbreak into anthemic defiance. But *Rumours* isn’t just about breakups—it’s about survival, healing, and the messy, beautiful complexity of human relationships. Christine McVie’s “Songbird” is a tender lullaby of devotion, while “The Chain” is the band’s most powerful declaration of unity, its thunderous bassline and driving beat symbolizing an unbreakable bond, despite the personal wreckage. What makes *Rumours* so enduring is its universality. Everyone has experienced love, loss, and the bittersweet pain of moving on. Fleetwood Mac took their most vulnerable moments and turned them into songs that feel personal to every listener. Decades later, its harmonies still soar, its melodies still captivate, and its emotional honesty still stings. Few albums define an era while remaining timeless. *Rumours* does just that—it’s not just a classic, it’s a cornerstone of rock music.

There's not a lot to be said about this album that hasn't been discussed already. It's amazing to the point in which everybody loves it, but there's not a lot of people calling it overrated. Just a 10/10.

Incredible album. I didn't realize how every song on it was an absolute banger. 10/10

So many hits. The songs I did not know were pleasant some more mellow but enjoyed thoroughly.

listened 1/28/25 on commute to smithfield

One of best compilations ever

One of my all-time favourite albums. Catchy pop songs with melancholic moments.

Today is Fleetwood Mac day! I love this album. It pre-dates my generation, but it's timeless and universal. One of the few albums that is perfection - not a bad track to speak of. Beyond that, I can't put my finger on what it is about this album. I don't think the music is particularly deep, resonant, or culturally significant, nor is it musically complex or unique. I think that speaks to how special it is as something that continues to pull people in generations later.

somewhat fondly nostalgic

Not a lot I can really offer... rangey, feelsy, comfy but also not... just really good music.♥️

Perhaps thee album of all time, but Lindsey Buckingham is not seeing heaven for taking Silver Springs off

Second Hand News - A lead Lindsey track. Thank you. Really sounds like a solo / tango in the night LB. Im surprised they put this as the first one. But, good for you. Maybe we set up Linds just to knock him down the rest of the album. Dreams - Way to bring us back down to earth Stevie. We're knocking him right down. No Christine yet but a shit ton of John McVie

"If you don't love me now, you will never love me again" Yeah, just like that.

My wife pretty much only listens to this album and Dolly Parton’s hits when she drives, so I’m a little tapped out on it, but it’s tough to beat and is a good one to get stuck with if you have to. I’m still surprised Second Hand News doesn’t loom more largely in pop music culture - it’s a great way to kick off the album!

A perfect album - it's a pity they couldn't repeat the trick.

De verdad que no quería, pero no me queda más remedio que subirme al carro de las cinco estrellas. Este es el álbum mejor valorado de toda la lista, y estaba deseando que me tocara escucharlo. Después de haberlo escuchado dos veces, su fama es más que merecida. Lo tiene todo: musicalmente excelente, una historia morbosa (todos los miembros estaban en proceso de separación con sus parejas, la mayoría dentro del mismo grupo), fácil de escuchar pero muy técnico a la vez. Las armonías vocales son una locura, es uno de esos álbumes que te pueden teletransportar a una época, aunque no la hayas vivido. El álbum está lleno de hits, pero los temas menos conocidos también son buenísimos. En concreto, "I Don't Want to Know" me ha encantado. Aunque quizá me esté dejando llevar por la presión grupal y, si no hubiera sabido de su puntuación global, le hubiera dado un 4. Pero no le voy a dar más vueltas.

Really good. Incredibly tight and catchy. Mentioned it to my mum and she got angry. I imagine if you were around at the time you would have got sick to death of hearing this. I don’t want to be a “I was born in le wrong generation xd” idiot but this is objectively great stuff

Honestly one of the greatest albums

Absolutely love this album - so much so that Landslide was played at my daughter's funeral... And the other tracks still manage to lift my spirits, which they have done since I was listening to Rumours at school.

this had gotta be close to 10/10

No private session used for Spotify. There are a lot of classics on this album and it's a nice variety of styles of songs where the talented song writers of the band were free to showcase their own song writing ability. Then there is the whole history and background of the band and this album and the added flavor of knowing what some of the songs are really about.

Fantastic album, but I already knew that.

Obviously a great album

Classic

5/5

For those of you who don’t know much about this band or the making of this album, here’s a quick follow-up. “Rumours” is renowned for its songwriting and the emotional intensity of its tracks. Every single band member was going through personal breakups and dealing with substance abuse and depression. Stevie Nicks (Vocals) and Lindsey Buckingham (Guitar, Vocals) were in a long-term relationship that ended during the making of this album. Christine McVie (Keyboards, Vocals) and John McVie (Bass) were married, but their marriage ended in divorce during the album’s creation. Mick Fleetwood (Drums) was dealing with his own marital issues, as his wife Jenny Boyd was having an affair with his best friend. It’s baffling how they all attracted such negative energy at the same time. Despite the serious tension and emotional pain, they continued to work closely together, writing and performing songs that referenced their personal struggles. This challenging and intense environment allowed them to vent their frustrations and emotions through their music. The result was raw, honest lyrics and music with a timeless quality, strong melodies, and catchy hooks.

Se eu fosse resumir o disco em uma palavra seria: corações sofridos. Chega a ser difícil ser crítico com um álbum que você já gosta. Talvez ter escutado ele com paciência me fez ter um olhar diferente pra ele, aumentando ainda mais o prazer que tinha, apesar dos triângulos amorosos e outras formas geométricas que rondaram a banda antes e durante a produção. O legal que o começo do álbum com "Second Hand News" nem te dá tempo de respirar. É tipo: levanta e vai. Pra mim, um dos principais pontos altos do álbum está na música "Dreams", porque há uma simplicidade musical de basicamente duas notas (sendo quebrada apenas em um pequeno interlúdio instrumental), e como a música vai crescendo com ela. Na sequência, "Never Going Back" foi a que menos me empolgou, mas ainda tem um charme muito único fazendo um dueto de voz e violão. "Don't Stop" já traz um ritmo que já faz a cabeça balançar junto, com destaque enorme pro piano. No meio de tantas músicas de sofrência, essa é um dos alívios emocionais do álbum. "Go Your Own Way" eu tenho um apego muito grande porque foi a primeira música consciente que tive sobre a banda em si. É curioso pensar que um ritmo tão animado (e tão gostoso de dirigir em uma rodovia) tenha uma letra não tão positiva. A alternância entre maior e menor durante estrofe e refrão é um charme à parte, sem contar o destaque na guitarra da metade pro final da música. Já com "Songbird" temos mais uma baladinha sem muitos instrumentos, sendo piano, voz e violão. Quase semelhantemente a "Don't Stop", é uma música que traz paz em meio toda confusão. Outro grande momento do álbum chega em "The Chain". Que construção! A música começa marcando, cresce, depois volta, tem um interlúdio instrumental com o baixo SENSACIONAL e termina 'full gas'. Também é um momento onde vemos praticamente todos os integrantes da banda cantando e trazendo um arranjo vocal maravilhoso. A música até tenta trazer um ar mais soturno, por conta da letra, mas alguns acordes em tom maior fazem essa quebra de expectativa. "You Make Loving Fun" já traz um ar bem divertido, como sugere o título, principalmente com a presença dos sintetizadores e um baixo bem 'estralado' na equalização. É uma música bem dançante, algo que poderia se assemelhar com a letra de um casal que está tentando se reconquistar. Trazendo um ar mais interiorano, "I Don't Want to Know", também bem dançante, muitas palmas como instrumental, sendo um contraste bem curioso com a tristeza da letra. Inclusive isso foi algo que percebi em grande parte das músicas. "Oh Daddy", já quase no final do disco, é a primeira música verdadeiramente melancólica em sua execução. Talvez por trazer um ar mais pesado sobre dependência emocional. Consigo até trazer um paralelo dessa dependência com a batida de uma nota no piano que ressoa (que foi um detalhe CHARMOSÍSSIMO na execução). O baixo aqui sendo bem presente e preenchendo os intervalos. Puro suco de música boa! E por fim chegamos a "Gold Dust Woman", onde achei bem curiosa a presença maior do 'cowbell' com o bumbo marcando ritmo. Mais uma vez o conjunto vocal aqui faz seu nome! Achei uma ótima escolha para encerrar o álbum, fazendo uma brincadeira (outra vez) com tons maiores e menores dentro de uma mesma música, trazendo a dualidade de sentimentos que percorrem o álbum todo. Como pode uma história tão conturbada produzir um álbum tão coeso do início ao fim? Colocar esse disco na estrada é diversão de emoções do início ao fim. Claro, não se deixe levar pelas letras de sofrência e seja feliz. Agora, se você quer curtir uma deprê por conta de um relacionado que deu errado, talvez aqui você encontre essa montanha-russa de expressões sobre. Favoritíssimas: "Dreams", "Don't Stop", "Go Your Own Way", "The Chain", "Oh, Daddy" Só pularia "Never Going Back" no caso de um dia um dia que só queira músicas mais agitadas.

Rumours has been one of my favorite albums since I first heard it back in the early 80s. It is a very well recorded album and I use The Chain to test the staging of a system. The harmonies on the album are great and musically it is tight.

A couple of my favourite tracks on this album. But ive never listened to the whole album all the way trough. Saved 7 tracks to my need to play-list.

One of the greatest records of all time. Only thing that could have made it better is if they replaced Oh Daddy with Silver Springs

One of the best albums ever!

My love for Heavy Metal made it hard to like this album at the time, love it now

Pretty much every song is a hit single and they all hold up really well. One of the best pop albums ever

Really good album. Enjoyable listen. Songs changed it up just enough to keep it interesting.

No doubt it is one of the best albums ever produced!

Easy 5 stars. Almost every song on here is a classic. There's some nice variety too, with softer and moodier tracks mixed in with folk and upbeat pop tracks.

Favorite Track: The Chain

Amazing Album. Every song is amazing, great structure

The context for the album itself deemed it’s greatness, very very catchy.

As a teenager in the mid-90s babysitting for my neighbours, I fell asleep while their four-year-old ran riot. Their return, however, wasn't met with scolding, but with exuberant praise for a band I'd never heard of: Fleetwood Mac. As I grew older, the name Fleetwood Mac became inescapable, and Rumours became an album that you knew even if you hadn't actively listened to it. "Rumours," though seemingly a polished pop-rock record, is a tapestry woven from personal turmoil. Buckingham and Nicks, entangled and estranged, penned "Go Your Own Way" and "Dreams," raw exchanges disguised as elegant pop songs. Christine McVie's "You Make Loving Fun," a seemingly joyful anthem, carries the weight of her affair with the band's lighting director, a secret her husband John McVie played along to nightly. I'm always struck by the deceptive dissonance between the album's extended lore (excess, drugs, turmoil, betrayal), its lyrical cattiness, and the soft tone of much of the music on the album. The sonic richness is undeniable though. Buckingham, the perfectionist, layered guitars with precision, creating intricate textures like the fingerpicked "Never Going Back Again." McVie's "Songbird," a stripped-down piano ballad, is drenched in reverb, echoing with a poignant loneliness. "Rumours" stood out in the 70s landscape dominated by polished rock. Fleetwood Mac infused their music with an emotional honesty that immediately connected. Mick Fleetwood, the band's anchor, provided a steady rhythm, grounding their collective chaos. "Don't Stop," initially a hopeful anthem, took on a different life as Bill Clinton's campaign song, becoming more slogan than song. Yet, beyond politics, Rumours remains a cultural touchstone, influencing countless artists and appearing in films and television. While some tracks might seem less impactful today, perhaps it's unfair to call them weaker; after all, even an emerald can seem dull beside a diamond. Rumours remains a masterpiece, a testament to the power of turning personal chaos into enduring art. Did/Do I own this release? No Does this release belong on the list? Yes. Rumours is a pivotal album of its era. Would this release make my personal list? The hits are incredible, but I'm not sure this album flows as well as it should. Will I be listening to it again? These songs are inescapable.

2nd best album of all time perhaps....

Such a beautiful and perfect album. Excellent start.

elite

funsies

Classic, 10/10, nothing more I can say

Excepcionalmente perfecto. Un trabajo milimétrico una fiesta instrumental de exilios.

I didn't have to listen to this album to know that this was getting a 5

A goddamn classic. One year my siblings and their spouses and my wife and I had some drinks and played "Fuck Marry Kill: Rumours" Results, by a poll of 8 Gen X and Millenial adults: Fuck: The Chain (runner up You Make Loving Fun) Marry: Songbird, Dreams, Go Your Own Way, Never Goin' Back Again, Gold Dust Woman, Second Hand News Kill: Oh Daddy (runner up Don't Stop, just because of overuse) I get why it's the highest rated album on here, a high water mark in pop and classic rock.

Mostly solid, the slower songs weren’t as punchy and the “oh, daddy” song really should have been left on the cutting room floor. B side at best on that one. 4.5/5 *

Well, as worried as I am for 2025 as a whole, I can at least rest knowing that I'll be able to listen to some more amazing albums this year. Case in point, my first album of 2025, Rumours. Fleetwood Mac's 11th album is one of those albums that has garnered a reputation as being among the best of the best. There aren't very many albums out there with a reputation like Rumours. I mean, it's literally the highest rated album on this very website as I'm writing this, with Abbey Road at a very close second place. Is this warranted? It absolutely is. Rumours may just be one of the greatest albums I've ever heard. There was a lot of hardship during the making of this album. Between the relationship struggles between band mates, the pressure to make their best album yet, and a heaping dose of the 70s rock staple that is cocaine, Fleetwood Mac was not a very stable band during the process of making Rumours (when have they ever been stable though?). And yet, they made a masterpiece. The singing from Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie, and Stevie Nicks is always excellent. The instrumentation here is so finely-crafted to be as wonderful as possible and it works. Apparently the guitar strings for one of the songs were swapped out every 20 minutes so the song could sound as good as possible. That's insane. The songwriting is great too. There's a common theme of relationships, which makes sense seeing as the band was struggling a lot in regard to their romantic relationships. However, not every song is sad. Songs like "Don't Stop" are actually quite positive. And of course, we have to talk about the songs themselves. There's not a bad one in the bunch. They're all amazing. Obviously, the big hits like "Dreams," "Go Your Own Way," and "The Chain" are some of the best songs I've heard, but the deep cuts here are still great. The fact that a song like "I Don't Want to Know" is one of the less popular songs on the album speaks to how consistently excellent this album is. I don't know what to say. Rumours lived up to the expectations. I get it. There's so much more I could say, but I don't even think it matters. The album speaks for itself. It is a masterpiece, through and through. 5/5.

Own this. Love it.

The album which defines the 1970s. Superlative.

One of the best albums in this list.

5+ stars. A classic whose music is only surpassed by what was going on behind the scenes.

Hit after hit after hit after hit. Unbelievable album

The best!!!

One of my favourite Fleetwood Mac albums. They’re also my comfort songs

I’ve already heard Tusk on this journey, and going back to the album prior fits like a glove. Before I dive deep into Rumours, I will acknowledge that this album has been considered overrated by some people, and not everyone carries the same enthusiasm for the heartland rock style of Fleetwood Mac. After all, art is subjective, and therefore opinions are going to be different amongst everyone. This is from my perspective why I consider Rumours is an amazing album, and more than justifies its placement on this list. For starters, much like with David Bowie’s Station to Station which I covered earlier, this is an album that works in spite of the trouble brewing behind the scenes. Every band member in Fleetwood Mac was going through heartbreak at the time, in addition to extensive touring, extensive cocaine usage, tabloid interruptions, and the drive to follow up their successful self-titled album. Yet despite those mounting issues, the band were able to come together and craft an album that maintains strong instrumentation, vocal presence, and production quality. In some cases, the band went above and beyond, such as Lindsey Buckingham changing his guitar strings every twenty minutes to maintain a bright acoustic sound on “Never Going Back Again”, or the layering of clean and distorted guitars for a fuller experience on “Go Your Own Way”, or even the audio splicing of several tapes together to create “The Chain”. Also even though the relationship drama was touched upon in some songs like “The Chain”, “Dreams”, and “Go Your Own Way”, as well as the drug usage on “Gold Dust Woman”, there are also a number of tracks that take a more optimistic outlook. This sentimentality is apparent in “Don’t Stop” and “You Make Loving Fun”, but it also carries into Christine McVie’s solo piece “Songbird” about the sacrifices one makes in the pursuit of love, and “I Don’t Want to Know” with the prospect of reconciling one another after going through a rough patch. Even the pair of “Dreams” and “Go Your Own Way” maintain a more positive-leaning sense of moving on after a relationship is over. That is all to say why I personally enjoy Rumours and why I accept this album in its legendary status. To each their own, but I can come to understand why this one is well-regarded. Finally as a side-note, I can't believe it took me over a decade and a half to notice the pair of balls dangling from Mick Fleetwood's pants. Thank you to the person who wrote the top comment at the time of writing for pointing that out.

Nonstop bangers. Borderline a greatest hits album. I particularly love Oh Daddy, had never heard that one before and it was lovely.

There's a reason this is one of the top five albums of all time. It has it critiques and the sound can be slightly dated (especially on You Make Loving Fun), but if a group of people that went from screwing each other, to hating each other and STILL put out this masterpiece, every musician since has been doing it wrong if they weren't doing it this way. 5/5

Fantastic

Masterpiece of an album. My favorite was "Songbird". 10/10.

I thought I’d never listened to this album Turns out I already knew every song on here Turns out I absolutely love at least 6 songs on here A classic for a reason

Overplayed? Probably, but damn!

Absolute solid gold classic 5. Massive fan of Lindsey Buckingham in this era currently. Will take the opportunity to say I wish I could edit my scores and give Tusk a 5 also.

Hated it

Just bonkers how good this album is. Every other artist would kill to have 1 timeless track on an album, maybe even 2 if they're really lucky, but here Fleetwood Mac has like 7 of them, and the other 4 are also incredible tracks. One of the easiest 5s in this whole list, no wonder it's topping the highest rated list

A truly phenomenal album from front to back. This is such a folky rock album full of rich harmonies and intricate melodies. On top of that, the songs are fun to listen to, but contemplative at the same time. It really feels like an evergreen album that you can find something new in every time you hear it.

I mean what can you say about this. era defining. the longevity of this album is crazy. it’s funny how biased I am towards the stevie and christine songs. don’t stop is almost a skip for me these days. also probably cheating but I did listen to the reissue with silver springs. 5/5 because I love divorce, polycules, and substance abuse

A classic, so much fun to revisit. One of my favorite Fleetwood Mac albums.

I wish I could listen to this album again for the first time. Literally shed a tear to the go your own way guitar solo this morning.

跟beatles好像好像好像 好爽

Already listened a million times before!

Phenomenal all the way through. Not much else to say except it's wonderful.

Favorite Fleetwood Mac album.

I mean, it's Rumours.

Probably the album I’ve listened to more times than any other. Pretty much perfect. And I still hear the scratch in Songbird that our LP copy has, but I haven’t played it in about 25 years.

I honestly tried to listen to this fairly, to take it on its own merits, but when you're singing along to every word of an album you be listened to for the past thirty minutesears, it's hard to be objective... What can you say? It's Rumours, it's always been great and always will be, and it's getting this five star rating fully deservedly. Faves: Go Your Own Way, Second Hand News, Dreams

one of my favourite albums of all times, what more can i say, no notes 10/10 perfect, the best diss track compilation ever, thank god for giving us all these drama induced bangers

I knew it was a banger but didn't appreciate how many big singles and tracks were just on this album.

timeless classic. still going strong. flawless.

could i write poetry to this? n and still

Fleetwood Mac suffered for their own sins to create this perfect Pop album. An unmatched chronicle of the breakups, both personal and professional, that would define them for nearly half a century.

I've heard them all a million times. Don't really need to hear most of this ever again, but it's still really good.

S tier album. Nothing bad to say. No skips.

I already know how good this album is!

This is an amazing album full of great song after great song as well as many "hits". This is an all time great album. I was excited to ahve this one pop up.

Damn near perfect. Beautiful guitar and vocals. Big fan of this one.

Folksy rock. This might be, pound for pound, the greatest album of all time. Just hit after hit. Even the worst song on this album could be the best song on lesser albums.

Love it! So fun

There were some groups that I acquired every note they ever produced because I enjoyed them that much - Fleetwood Mac was NOT one of those groups. That said, there’s no denying the greatness of this album. It’s a moment in time, and yet timeless.

Again, I know all the songs but never really listened. Streaming doesn't do these albums any favors. There is an arc that is built on each side. And I can't figure out if songbird as the end on side a or the start of the b side. And I feel like the meaning would change depending. Amazing vocals.

Yeah it’s a masterpiece

I've been listening to this album since it came out. In the 70s all of us and our cousins had this album. After all these years, it is still a masterclass in song writing, mood and saying more with less. This is one of the best. 5/5

So many great songs on here. I'll admit a little bias for Stevie Nicks, I generally like her songs better than the other band members' compositions. However even the other tracks are very good, it's just a wonderful 70s rock album.

Puro banger

Fantastic album, hit after hit. Flows well with lots of variety.

I see that this is the highest rated album here, and part of me really wanted to just give it a 4. But, upon listening to it once again, it has to be a 5. They really set out to make an all-killer-no-filler album, and while not every song on it is perfect (Christine McVie's songs in particular don't do it for me as much), the sum of the album really is greater than its parts. It sounds like classic rock's swan song, and it's honestly glorious. Fav tracks: Dreams, Don't Stop, Go Your Own Way, The Chain, Gold Dust Woman

Every song (with maybe 2 exceptions) is pop gold. But none of it is pop. The best art is often forged in personal pain and social adversity.

Wouldn't even need to listen to say 5* But this album is a pleasure to return to. Lindsey Buckingham is a brilliant musician and anyone who has tried to learn Never Going Back Again knows the genius of his playing. Vocals are awesome. Absolutely love it, and it rightly deserves all the praise it gets. I think they may have done some drugs and had a few affairs but not sure if they mentioned it.

Absolute classic,

No skips album!!

What is there to say that hasn't already been said? Every song a bona fide classic.

Perfect. I’m surprised it’s the highest rated album out of the 1001 but it’s certainly an all time classic. I’m lucky enough to have it on vinyl too :)

Love it. Super album for anyone

One of the all time great albums

I feel legally obligated to throw this a 5

For how little familiarity I have of almost any other Fleetwood Mac album, its crazy to me that almost every single song I knew by them prior to listening to this ended up being on the album. Writing is great and very personable, and the variety of styles makes the album very fun to listen to. Favorites were The Shain, Don't Stop, Dreams, and You Make Loving Fun

I mean yeah this is really great. We all know that already. Love the guitar solo on The Chain

Great album, dreams is a beautiful song

I didn't /have/ to listen to this album again to know it's great. But I did.

I have been waiting for this album ever since I started this project, and about three years later: here we go. This album not only consists of a straight row of hit after hit but also is so recognizable and incredible. This is the exact representation of an album that should be on this list with no complaints. Whether you like this album or not there is no denying the influence that this album had and continues to have on the music world.

Really good

Classic

Hall of Fame.

# Album Name: Rumous # Artist: Fleetwood Mac # Rating: 5/5 # Comments: Absolute banger. Top to bottom, left to right. Quality album. 5* # Top Tunes: The whole thing # Would I listen to it again? fuck yeah

HEERLIJK!

Kan niet anders dan 5 sterren Beloofd aan mn ma

This album takes me back to being a child in the 70's. It felt like every track was played on the radio fairly frequently. It's one of those albums where every track is well-known and well-regarded in it's own right. You can't fault it really, and when you discover the turmoil that was happening between the band members when producing this it is even more impressive.

Classic. Nearly every song is hit.

It’s a classic through and through with a story that elevates it. Immensely enjoyable and a top 20 album in my life.

All bangers

Best album ever

As brilliant as it was on the day it was released.

One of the best albums I've ever heard. I get the hype now. 5/5

A total masterpiece that sounds very modern still. The best album ever written about rupture.

This twinkles! The piano trills, that guitar whine emerging from the last verse on many of the track, subtle organ pedaling under the mix, little flourishes that turn these familiar personal anthems into textured glitter bombs shimmering under the light of retrospection. Unfortunate that this album has probably sold me a car.

One of the best albums of all time. Nothing more to add

Nearly every song on this album still plays on the radio. Teenagers still listen to this album. It may be one of the greatest albums ever created. The production is impeccable, songs wonderful, and a bit of band tension adds a little bit of bite. This was Fleetwood Macs magnus opus and one of the best albums of the 1970s, perhaps of all time. When it first came out, I ignored it. I was into punk rock and Rumours was anything but punk. When I heard Stevie Nicks singing Gold Dust Woman, however, my teenage self was enthralled. Enthralled is the polite word. My sister gave me a copy of the album and I've had it ever since. It is simply a marvelous time capsule while still timeless.

The production alone deserves 5 stars.

Do I even have to explain anything about this stone cold classic?

I mean, one of the absolute greats, hands down. No more that needs saying.

One of the greatest albums of all time.

I mean come on

Scorned people singing about the people that scorned them and/or the people that assisted with the scorning + some coke made some beautiful music. Justice for Silver Springs forever though, we are scorned for that being withheld from the original release

Truly a near perfect album. Bangers left and right

When I discovered the 1001 Albums Generator, this was the first album to come to mind. I've been on the record, having nominated (declared) The Chain (later modified to all of "Rumours") for the GOAT List in 2017.

Rumours is the seventh album from Fleetwood Mac. It is thought to be their best work, and is considered to be one of the greatest albums in modern popular music. The band explored a range of styles, with some electric and acoustic songs, and impressive harmonies throughout. The band was in a tumultuous period, involving the break-ups of romantic relationships between members, and excessive drug use. Their personal challenges provided incredible inspiration for these very memorable songs. The album in includes some of the band's biggest songs, like "Go Your Own Way," "Dreams," and "Don't Stop." On this note, this list could include every song on this album. Every song on this album has become transcendent and ubiquitous; everyone has heard these songs because this album bears repeating, over and over again. This is as good of a collection of songs as you may ever find on an album, written and performed by a band at its very best.

Absolutely fantastic

One if the greatest albums.

Yes! Rumours! What a timeless, classic album. How can you not love this album?

A classic album. One of the best. It's amazing that they managed to actually record it with all that was going on.

One of the reasons for joining this club was to stop me only listening to Fleetwood Mac so it was always going to be five stars from me. I’ve tried really hard to listen with fresh ears and I’m struck by just how incredible they are as musicians. The percussion blends beautifully and there is often a lot technically going on. I do think it should start on the Chain. I’m not a huge fan of ‘don’t stop’ and I cannot get on board with calling your lover ‘daddy’. Gold dust woman and you make lovin are excellent songs.

Pretty much a perfect album, with each song completely distinct but also part of a very cohesive whole. So much more melodic, personal and interesting than any of their big-haired, classic rock counterparts (probably not a coincidence they're one of the few bands of that era to feature women). An album with subtle hints of great talent, rather than being bogged down in unnecessary guitar/keyboard theatrics. The focus here is the song, not any individual. Radcliffe and Maconie have ruined The Chain for me though.

Is it possible to say anything about this album that hasn’t been said already. It’s considered to be one of the greatest albums of all time for good reason. Favourite tracks: Dreams, Go Your Own Way, The Chain, Gold Rush Woman but like let’s be honest it’s all of them.

Can I say anything about this album which hasn't been said dozens of times before? Yes, This album is infinitely more enjoyable than Donald Trump performing Nessum Dorma on his armpit.. OK. It's an awesome album. Familiarity might have dulled the enjoyment slightly, but there's a reason that this is so revered after 40+ years. The writing, playing, vocals and production are exemplary. An easy five stars.

5/5 literally one of the best albums in the universe

A 5 star experience from start to finish

Absolute banger. Loved every song.

Gear: Hifiman Arya Artwork: 🔮🎱🎱💃🏽🩰🪄❓ Production (2004 Remaster): 🎧😘🤌 Music: 💎💎💎 Rating: 🩰🩰🩰🩰🩰/5

Even if you've never listened to this album on purpose, you probably know every song.

If you'd asked me an hour ago to name a single Fleetwood Mac song, I'd have struggled. I'd heard of them, but that was it. The first track didn't really inspire much confidence and I thought the album was going to be a real slog. But, to my surprise a) I know a bunch of the songs and b) it's a completely killer album. I'm listening to it a second time through right now. It makes me happy.

Perfect. No notes.

Very nice.

Super underground indie hit

My #3 all timer 10 ★★★★★

Near perfect album with great production, great songwriting, and tremendous musicianship. Highlights include "Second Hand News", "Never Going Back Again", "Go Your Own Way", "Dreams", and "I Don't Want to Know". If only they could've made room for "Silver Springs". Still a classic. 5 stars

Can't fault this album, every song is a classic. 5.

One of the best EVER!!

It’s Rumours, this is probably one of my top albums ever.

Fleetwood Mac is so good, this album is so good, in fact they have so many good songs that not even all of them fit on this album (still, "Silver Springs" should never have been cut from it). It's amazing they managed to create something so brilliant amongst so much friction. Buckingham is a dick, Stevie is a diva, a love triangle, couple squabbles, divorce, drugs, and addiction. Imagine the level of tension in the studio, now go and create this. The internal battle of two powerful egos eventually won but the music lives on forever. Pretty epic, easily a 4.8 or better.

one of the best albums of all time.

Class

One of the best albums ever.

Yeah this is good. Perhaps not quite as good as having cocaine blown up your arsehole, but good nonetheless.

A true classic. 5 all day long. Stevie Nicks vocals are timeless and this album has to be in any collection. Shows what copious amounts of drugs and hatred can create. Brilliant

Abigail Devoe doesn't like RUMOURS, and that helped me understand why I like it and so many others love it. Now, to be clear, Abby likes the **songs** on RUMOURS. She could point out a number of those to you, from the opener "Second Hands News" to the closer "Gold Dust Woman". Her problem with the album lies in the way it's produced. Lindsay Buckingham's goal with RUMOURS was to produce a perfect pop album, and he went far out of his way to do it. Just check out the anecdote about how he had his guitar strings changed three times every hour while recording "Never Going Back Again" so they'd retain their brightness. And to Abby, this method of production devalues the material — as she puts it, it's "manufactured magic." She prefers a break-up album like this to be way grittier, rawer, looser — see BLOOD ON THE TRACKS or BLUE. In other words, a more subtle genius that confronts the audience with its emotions, rather than pave over it with a layer of pop polish. If things were more like "Gold Dust Woman" or the outro of "The Chain"... Of course, that's all a fair and valid opinion. I won't even say I disagree with her, and I very much recommend you seek out that video to hear her opinions from her own mouth. However, I find myself much more siding with a comment I saw below the video that stated that, yeah, no, it **is** this album's production that made it as beloved as it is. The emotional heft would've always been there. The cacophony of three or so voices all yelling over top of each other to try and convince you that "No, **that person** is the asshole." It still would have struck a chord with people — I mean, hell, BLOOD ON THE TRACKS and BLUE are both top 10 albums on the 2020 Rolling Stone 500, right alongside RUMOURS, for as much as that's worth. At the very least, it shows that rawer emotions can absolutely hit it off with people. But neither of them had a song resurge on TikTok like "Dreams" did. N', heck, look at this very website: RUMOURS has the second-highest average, beaten only by ABBEY ROAD. From what I've read, it even used to be **number one**. And if I can attribute any one specific reason to why that is, it's that production makes it go down easier. To be 100, I'll recognize, maybe I'm just speaking through my own "melody first" likes and preferences for production. I do often find myself gravitating towards stuff with a lot of production. There's no orchestra or anything, but I eat that kinda shit up. Especially if it can make the music feel "grand" or "huge" or "epic." And I wouldn't say any of those three descriptors necessarily apply to RUMOURS, but look at "Never Going Back Again". Lindsay's insistence on replacing the strings as often as they were paid off. It ends up one of my favorite songs on the entire album **because** the strings are as bright as they are. It adds a level of beauty to the song that wouldn't have been there if it'd been any gritter. Or look at "Dreams" — it might not have resurged the way it did if it wasn't as laid-back and, for lack of a better word, dreamy as it is. It's that perfection, too, that I think helps a lot of the looser moments stand out. "Go Your Own Way" and especially "The Chain" wouldn't go as hard as they do if the songs around them weren't as shiny as they are. And you really do have to be in awe at the fact that this album was even released at all. Not just because the tapes it was recorded on were apparently run so thin the risk was run of having the whole thing tossed out, but... Y'know, the band turmoil. Of course the band turmoil. Everyone knows the band turmoil; it's **the thing** it's known for. But seriously, you hafta admire the fact that even though these people were going through such a rough and bitter break-up, they were still able to devote themselves to the music — even if they were playing on songs about how much of a jerk the other person thought they were. That's commitment right there. This has all made me appreciate and like RUMOURS more than I had before. I **had** liked it; I'd just never really gotten the hype around it. Again, just four years ago it was named a top 10 album on the Rolling Stone 500. To my eyes, even knowing it's just a list among lists, that's not nothing. And maybe some of it was resentment at TikTok, 'coz I've never liked that platform, so, of course, anything **it** popularizes... And, well, even now, I'm not gonna say this new listen-through and this new understanding has suddenly made it a top 10 album for me. There's other albums, in and outside of this website's top 10, that for one reason or another I'd place over RUMOURS. I will still agree with its reputation of greatness, though, of course. For all the hardship the band went through to make this album, and given what they produced, I don't think it deserves much less than a 5 — a 4, at worst. It's just the right combination of emotional weight and perfect pop polish. Which, for the last time, I get why the latter fact would turn people away from this album. Abby's just as right in **not being** a fan of it as anyone else is for **being** a fan. We can all go our own way about it. For my money, though, it deserves all of the acclaim and success it's gotten. It's one of the best albums of the 70's, and I won't be surprised at all if future generations keep that chain of praise unbroken.

Simply just an immaculate set of tracks, top to bottom. The easiest 5 I can give, no doubt about it.

You know, this is my first time actually listening to this album in full. Trust me, I was aware of a few of the songs, and I know where this lands in the pantheon of music – this album is to Fleetwood Mac what Thriller was for MJ, Abbey Road for the Beatles, and Nevermind for Nirvana. It’s that big timeless record that will live on forever; its lyricism, production, vocals, and overall creation studied for years and decades to come, in this case, made more potent by just how heavily the band itself was imploding and hurting while making this. I know all of that. I just didn’t know what I would end up thinking after listening through it. After finally listening through it, I’m at a 10. Hell, I might be at like, a 15. I might just be overreacting a little while I'm in the moment, but… man, it is exactly that album. It feels like more than that. It feels like whatever I type here will echo whatever people have written for the past 47 years about this album. I don’t know that I can add anything to the praise, and I certainly don’t want to add anything to the discourse. I keep mentioning this metaphor about thinking of music as art in the classical sense. It’s what I tend to fall back on when my brain is struggling to find the words to praise the compositions on, or the lyrics, or the vocals, or any part of the actual production. When an album has been this good, or touched me this deeply, I lean on it to help me find the words to say. This album isn’t the Mona Lisa, even though it deserves every bit of praise and acclaim. This album feels like a timelapse of a rage room, captured in slow motion – one where you can appreciate its finest details while recognizing the pain, loss, hurt, hatred, anger, and attempted solace of the whole thing. It’s beautiful in just how raw it feels. It’s beautiful in how relatable it feels. It’s beautiful in just how human it is. I do have to add some level of objectivity and critique here, and the only knock I could really have is that Tracks 1 and 3 feel rather out of place -- they are sort of left behind under the weight of "Dreams" and everything from Track 4 onwards. They're good tracks, and this album would be sort of incomplete without their presence. They just don't click as well with the rest of the album as a whole. Anyway, I would truly love to wax poetic about the moments of bliss I felt during Stevie Nicks or Christine McVie’s finest vocal moments, or the pure catharsis of some utterly pained lines, or the instrumentals hitting arguably the climax of 70s rock as a whole, or all 3 of those things somehow happening at the same time to leave me speechless… but like I said, someone else has probably said it better than I ever could. I can’t believe it took me this long to finally listen to it. It’s that damn good. It lived up to every single line of praise that’s ever been written about any individual track here, or the album as a whole. It’s a very easy 10, and it’s probably my new favorite album throughout this entire thing. How the hell do you follow this up?

I mean automatic 5. Greatest album ever made.

What can I say that hasn't already been said about this album? It's such a great album and it made me a Stevie Nicks fan.

i knew this is a 5/5 before listening. favorite song is the rope for sure!

The rare classic album where the famous songs still sound amazing, and where I might actually prefer some of the deep cuts to the singles. Makes you grateful for the existence of divorce and cocaine.

Considering how famous and well-received it was, I didn't know much about this album. But it does deserve all the praise.

Wenn man die Geschichten um Fleetwood Mac liest, dann waren sie in der Zeit der Entstehung des Albums im Streit und in einem Beziehungskarussell innerhalb der Band. Es ist eindeutig ein Wunder, dass "Rumors" erfolgreich produziert und beendet wurde. Was das Wunder noch mehr bestätigt ist die Tatsache, dass dieses Album zu den besten in der Musikgeschichte gehört. Jedes Lied ein Juwel, wurde akribisch produziert. Und jedes musikalische Detail perfekt und einzigartig gesetzt. Das Staunen und die Freude über dieses Meisterwerk nimmt während des Hörens kein Ende.