DON'T STOP

A look at the classic rock album that has captured the imaginations of both boomers and Zoomers.

Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours hit record store shelves in 1977, and we’re all still talking about it nearly 50 years later. There are a lot of reasons for that, Light argues in his latest musical biography, in which he seeks to explain its enduring appeal: “This album has made it into every corner of our consciousness, and its influence extends to rockers, singer-songwriters, pop stars, and rappers, but beyond that to young people of all backgrounds figuring out how to navigate their own lives and relationships.” Light is particularly interested in why Rumours continues to resonate with young people, and he interviews twentysomething-year-old listeners who have discovered “this old-ass album” thanks to friends, TV shows, and TikTok—namely the now-famous clip of Nathan Apodaca, on his skateboard, lip-syncing “Dreams” while drinking from a bottle of Ocean Spray Cran-Raspberry juice. The author considers the drama surrounding the album, recorded during a period of the band members’ cheating and breakups and liberal drug use, but that does not impress all younger people; one of them says, “I don’t care—just play the fucking song.” Light goes track by track in the book, dedicating a chapter to each of its songs, including “Silver Springs,” which was not on the original record but is on some reissues (“the song that creates Schrödinger’s Rumours,” as the author puts it). It’s hard to argue with Light’s conclusions that “it was something that kids found and liked because other kids found and liked it,” and that “whatever you go to Rumours looking for, it is there to be found. It is open to all.” Light’s tone is light and breezy, but it’s clear that he’s put much thought into this informative book. It’s a lot of fun.

Enjoyable writing and real insight power this fascinating look at a band that went their own way.