This has been a very interesting if not challenging review, especially when considering the sound quality of this reissue compared to the original pressing and other reissues that have been released over the years. Well established as a true classic, this 1975 self-titled album by Fleetwood Mac was the first with Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham as members of the group. Fifteen months after its release, Fleetwood Mac reached #1 on the Billboard 200 and went on to sell over 7 million copies in the U.S. alone. I continue to receive feedback from readers that this title is actually their favorite from that era of the band—even favored over their best-selling Rumors!
Production
As usual, Rhino has done a wonderful job on the packaging with a high quality tip-on glossy heavyweight jacket, an OBI with a bullet list of production details, and with a very quiet and very flat 180 gram vinyl pressing. Also included are new liner notes by acclaimed music journalist Anthony DeCurtis with several new quotes by Lindsey Buckingham. At $39.98, Rhino has truly found a sweet spot when it comes to sound quality and packaging, which well exceeds that of many other audiophile offerings in this price range. Cut by Kevin Gray and pressed at Optima, we have all the ingredients for a fantastic new reissue. One should also note that there will be a limited numbered edition of 5000 copies, though rumors persist that unnumbered copies will be issued in the future.
Sound Quality Comparisons
I have an original 1975 33 RPM Kendum/Pogo pressing on the Reprise label which was pressed at Winchester, and with a cut supervised by Keith Olson. I also have a 2012 45 RPM RSD pressing (2 LPs), on the Reprise label which was pressed at Pallas and cut by Chris Bellman. I did have a 1979 Mofi pressing which I gave away to a friend. It was an excellent reissue, but at the time, the 45 RPM had so many advantages in overall sound quality that I had no need for the Mofi. Without the Mofi in hand for a direct comparison, it would be unfair to make any additional comments. I have not heard the 2024 Ryan Smith cut on Vinyl Me Please or the 2024 Chris Bellman cut on Reprise. Believe it or not, I do try to keep the size of my collection somewhat manageable, even for some of my most favorite titles.
My OG is extremely competitive when it comes to sound quality. This is not surprising, as Keith Olson and the Engineers at Sound City Studios back in the day did have an excellent reputation and produced some amazing vinyl releases. This includes the infamous and hard to find original 1973 Buckingham-Nicks album, which is also scheduled to be reissued on Rhino High Fidelity in the fall. With superb dynamics and clarity, the Fleetwood Mac OG is still quite rewarding and very much worth having in your collection. There is a nice jump factor and excitement to what this pressing can offer—though there is a slight brightness on some tracks when heard on my system.
From my perspective, the 2012 45 RPM Chis Bellman takes it to another level and it has been my personal benchmark for many years. Expansive, detailed and with an amazing amount of air and pin point imaging, this is one of the most impressive 45 RPM Classic Rock pressings in my entire library! There is a nice balance of crisp highs, fleshed out mids and a substantial amount of authority in the bass. In terms of vinyl quality and background noise, my copy has it all over the OG. Hard to believe that it could get much better than this.
When I teed up the new 2025 Rhino High Fidelity reissue on my turntable, I took pause on the first needle drop. My goodness, at first it just did not have the dynamic expression that I was expecting. I then turned up the volume and realized that this was a much softer cut than the OG and the 45 RPM. Once I cranked it up though, it was all there and much more as the music just seemed to jump out of the soundstage with something new that I had not experienced before.
It has been claimed by many, but Kevin Gray has some sort of magical wand when it comes to drums. There was now a new level of inner detail and weight in the lower mids and bass that was just mesmerizing. Highs were slightly more rounded but there was still a certain amount of splash and immediacy on Mic Fleetwood's snares that sounded so much more real. Vocals by Stevie Nicks and Christie McVie now had a newfound warmth and clarity that seemed more hidden if not pushed back in the mix before. I must also comment that the extremely quiet vinyl was a strong contributor to these differences.
The tracks "Monday Morning" and "Warm Ways" that begin the album are good examples of the above. Mic Fleetwood's drums on "Monday Morning" have never sounded so muscular and palpable. Lindsey Buckingham's electric guitar now had a wonderful balance of shimmer and bloom without any glare or forwardness. Christy McVie on "Warm Ways" displayed a seductive sense of ease and purity that now takes her vocals to a new level of expression and freshness.
Final Thoughts
As I mentioned in my opening remarks, this was a tough one when trying to make comparisons. I could see that any one of these three pressings could easily satisfy even the most discernible of collectors and Fleetwood Mac fans. As always, this could depend on your subjective taste and other factors (see my standard caveats for reviews below). For my ears, this new Rhino High Fidelity reissue continues to amaze and delight. Bottom line, I just felt a much stronger and more emotional connection to this music with this reissue. Kevin Gray is the master! Welcome home to my new "go to" for this title!
Proper Perspective And Caveats
It cannot be overstated that system synergy and personal taste are critical when evaluating high-end audio products and music. This review is based on my subjective listening priorities, my specific system configuration, and my specific listening room. This combination is only one data point of many that exist out there for these components and the music that is played. Please consider my comments and analysis appropriately.
Review System
I have included a comprehensive list of all my components and a description of my listening room. Please click on my name in red above if this information is needed for reference and comparison purposes.
Rhino
