After ten long years, the queen of rock, our beloved mystical gypsy and bohemian goddess has taken to the recording studio once more. You would think, after all this time, the years would have withered and worn away that magic we embraced in the seventies and flirted with in the eighties. But nay. Here we are, falling in love yet again perhaps with the idea rather than the reality. In your Dreams certainly screams Fleetwood, at least in concept. Indeed the opening song ‘Secret Love’ was written in 1976, telling us even more juicy rumours from back in the day. Although, the fact the song wasn’t selected for the landmark album is even more telling. Nicks also somehow fails to recall the exact rock star she so lovingly croons over as she pours heart and soul into the lyrics of this catchy tune, still we are inclined not to believe her.
The album itself does have the high-gloss L.A. production all thanks to her collaborators, Glen Ballard and Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart but the substance is definitely Nicks. From the album’s front cover, pictured with an elegant yet aged figure flanked by a white horse, to the intricate detailing of words, “”I wanna dress up, I wanna wear beads, I wanna wear feathers and lace…” One must admit, the quality of songwriting for this album is questionable… nevertheless forgivable. That trademark nasal voice alone can stand the hairs on the back of one’s neck within seconds. ‘Soldier’s Angel’ is for sure one of the best songs on the album with the over-the-top seduction ballad ‘Italian Summer’ being referred to by Rolling Stone as Stevie’s answer to the Stones’ ‘Wild Horses.’ One problem I did have with this new solo album was the half-hearted attempt at seizing the attention of the vampire obsessed youth of today. Supposedly, the album was inspired by Stephanie Myers’ Twilight series, in particular ‘Moonlight (A Vampire’s Dream).’ This I feel is a step too far for the rock legend and the vampire lore was just poor crack at gaining aficionados, when really, it merely lowered the tone.
Stevie’s voice, matured and ripened, thriving still on the command she has over those beautiful minor notes, remains incomparable. Whilst this isn’t quite the greatest record ever made… it is certainly worth a listen, even if it is just to hear that voice once more. Oh Stevie.
