Fleetwood Mac Rumours Album Review – Is It Still Worth Buying?

In this Fleetwood Mac Rumours album review, I want to look at why the album made such an impact at the time and whether it’s still worth buying on CD now.

Released in 1977, Rumours remains one of the most talked-about albums of the 1970s. It regularly appears on lists of the greatest rock albums ever recorded, and even today it continues to attract new listeners.

For many people who grew up in the 70s, this album was everywhere. And for those discovering it later, it still feels fresh and surprisingly modern.


When Was Rumours Released?

Rumours was released in 1977 at a time when the band was dealing with well-known internal tensions. Despite that, or perhaps because of it, the album became a huge commercial success.

It went on to sell millions of copies worldwide and remains one of the best-selling albums of all time. The mix of strong songwriting, clear production and emotional honesty helped it stand out from many other rock albums of the decade.

Even decades later, it’s still widely available on CD, which says a lot about its staying power.


Standout Tracks on Rumours

One of the reasons Rumours has lasted so long is the strength of its individual songs.

“Dreams” became one of the band’s signature tracks and still receives regular airplay. “Go Your Own Way” has that instantly recognisable opening and energy that defined much of late 70s rock. Then there’s “The Chain”, which builds steadily and remains a favourite among long-time fans.

But what makes the album special isn’t just the big singles. Tracks like “Don’t Stop” and “You Make Loving Fun” help give the record balance and flow. It works as a complete album, not just a collection of hit songs.


Why Rumours Still Sounds Good Today

Some albums feel tied to their time. Rumours doesn’t really suffer from that.

The production is clean without feeling overdone, and the songwriting remains relatable. The mix of male and female vocals gives it variety, and there’s a sense of honesty running through the record that still connects with listeners.

It’s one of those albums that benefits from being played from start to finish. The track order feels carefully put together, and the overall feel is consistent without becoming repetitive.

For anyone exploring 70s rock albums, it’s hard to ignore.


Is Rumours Still Worth Buying on CD?

Even if you mainly stream music now, owning Rumours on CD has its advantages.

You get the full artwork, liner notes and the complete listening experience as originally intended. For collectors of 70s rock albums, it’s almost a staple item.

If you’re building or rebuilding a collection from the decade, this is one of the safest choices you can make. It appeals to long-time fans and newer listeners alike.


Here is the track listings in full

Side 1

  1. Second Hand News
  2. Dreams
  3. Never Going Back Again
  4. Don’t Stop
  5. Go Your Own Way
  6. Songbird

Side 2

  1. The Chain
  2. You Make Loving Fun
  3. I Don’t Want To Know
  4. Oh Daddy
  5. Gold Dust Woman

Still Available on CD

If you’d like to add Rumours to your collection, it’s still widely available on CD.

fleetwood mac rumours album review

👉 Check it out here: Rumours

There are affiliate links in this post, if you click the link and make a purchase I will make a small commission at no cost to you. See affiliate disclosure.


Final Thoughts

More than four decades after its release, Rumours remains one of the strongest rock albums to come out of the 1970s. It combines memorable songs with solid production and a lasting emotional pull.

If you enjoy exploring music from the decade, you might also find my guide to the greatest 70s rock albums useful, along with my free A–Z of 70s Music Artists reference guide.

 

 

Frank

Music Of The 70s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

frank@musicofthe70s.co.uk

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