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allgigs.co.uk
Paul Pledger
★★★★/5
Upon studying the sleeve to Stevie Nicks' first album in a decade, you're almost transformed back to a time when album-art was determined by mystical imagery of white horses, moonlight and lace-adorned top-hatted blonde-haired singers - and then you realise that you're not in the '70s, you're in the 21st-century eyeing up Nicks', hamming it up in an extravagant white dress on the inlay for "In Your Dreams". How time's don't change - she's still keeping it 'chiffon'.
Fleetwood Mac certainly don't look like reforming again anytime soon (the last group release was the acclaimed "Say You Will" in 2003), but "In Your Dreams" does at least herd three of the favoured line-up together again - Nicks (obviously), Buckingham and Fleetwood contribute at various points. Main right-hand man to Nicks, however, turns out to be Dave Stewart, a huge name in his own right, both as a producer to the stars and erstwhile founder member of Eurythmics. King session-musician, Waddy Wachtel, also makes a few appearances, as does Heartbreakers member, Mike Campbell.
As Stevie Nicks albums go, this rates as one of her best, mainly due to its consistent delivery of pin-sharp rock-songs and beguiling choruses. From early track "Secret Love" (rumoured to have been mooted for the self-titled Mac album of 1977), kicks things off in typical fashion and has already done a turn on American radio - it's true grown-ups' pop-rock, but that doesn't make a dull prospect by any means. The album continues favourably with "For What It's Worth" and the first Stewart/Nicks co-composition, "In Your Dreams", giving the impression that her upcoming exclusive UK appearance at Hard Rock Calling may prove to be a special treat after all.
In truth, there aren't that many poor moments amongst the 14 songs, although mawkishness does sneak into "Soldier's Angel" - yet she can ramp up some classic hooks, particularly on "Moonlight" and the Edgar Allan Poe-influenced, "Annabel Lee". I suppose my only criticism of "In Your Dreams" is its length - we live in an age of drawn-out albums and, at 69 minutes, yes you get value for money, but you also get a couple of songs too many, methinks. Otherwise, Stevie Nicks still knows how to paint a picture and sing a song.
