Friday, November 11, 2005

Lindsey Buckingham - Go Insane


Lindsey Buckingham is obviously very well known as the guitarist, vocalist and producer with Fleetwood Mac who helped guide them to selling what may seem like billions of records but on his own he cuts very quirky, elaborate, studio pop recordings that are way more left field musically than the Mac are. Like Todd Rundgren, Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney he has made some records almost entirely by himself as he did with this one. It would be fair to say he likes the creative process of slowly building up a track in the studio laboratory without much help.

Go Insane is his second solo record that was released in 1984 it is filled with obvious New Wave and dance pop music influences and I think it's a lost power pop classic of the 80's . Filled with restless, frenetic energy, a slightly paranoid and lustful theme running through it, with lots of synthesizers and drum machines in the mix this is definitely a product of the time but it still holds up very well due to very melodic songs and the busy arrangements. I Want You is a fun song with a nice little intro keyboard riff, massive multi-tracked backing vocals by Lindsey, a great guitar solo ( he is very underated and has a unique for rock finger picking style) and believe it or not, the tasteful use of a cowbell! Queens Of The Stone Age aren't the only people who appreciate this under used "instrument". With a slight moderate dance rhythm, whip lashing percussion and more massive backing vocals Slow Dancing continues the yearning desire you might say.

Memo to Rhino Records: Remaster and reissue his solo catalog.
Thanks!

Buy it here.