Rediscover the Spellbinding Rhythm: “Tusk” by Fleetwood Mac (1979)
In the landscape of late 1970s rock music, few bands were as pivotal or as culturally resonant as Fleetwood Mac. Following the massive success of their 1977 masterpiece, “Rumours,” the group returned in 1979 with a daring and unconventional album titled “Tusk”, from which the title track emerged as both a perplexing and intriguing single. “Tusk” is not just a song—it is a manifestation of ambition, experimentation, and the refusal to be defined solely by commercial expectations. Its unique structure, instrumentation, and production values make it one of the most eclectic works in Fleetwood Mac’s discography.
Launched at a time when the band was grappling with the pressures of fame and the weighty expectations of following up one of the most commercially successful albums of all time, “Tusk” was anything but a predictable endeavor. Rather than duplicating the melodic harmony-driven formula that made “Rumours” a household favorite, Lindsey Buckingham—guitarist, vocalist, and one of the driving creative forces—veered into more avant-garde territory. With an insistence on artistic integrity, Buckingham steered the title track into experimental territory, underscored by the use of the University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band, which lent a brassy, almost militant character to the recording.
“Tusk” stands apart in Fleetwood Mac’s catalogue for its audacity. Evoking elements of tribal rhythm, minimalistic lyrics, and a syncopated drum-and-percussion framework, the song weaves a hypnotic atmosphere that challenges listeners to reframe their expectations of the band. Rather than centering on lyrical storytelling, the track relies on texture, tension, and repetition, revealing influences from the emerging punk and New Wave scenes, while still bearing the meticulous production polish for which Fleetwood Mac is renowned. It might not have climbed the charts in the same meteoric fashion as “Go Your Own Way” or “Dreams,” but “Tusk” left a distinct mark on late-20th-century rock music.
The song’s real innovation lies in its sonic architecture. Recorded largely in the then-cutting-edge Studio D at the Record Plant in Los Angeles, “Tusk” was one of the first tracks to be laid down using a digital recording machine, offering a crispness that few rock songs of the era could match. The band reportedly spent over a year in the studio, with Lindsey Buckingham obsessing over every nuance—crafting an album and a single that would disrupt expectations and establish the band’s unwillingness to rest on past laurels.
To listeners unfamiliar with “Tusk,” the track may appear enigmatic at first blush—but therein lies its charm. It is a song that commands repeated listening, revealing its layers gradually. With its bold arrangements and sonic left turns, it showcases a band unwilling to be imprisoned by its own success. “Tusk” is an anthem of artistic freedom—a rhythmic, almost cinematic experience that encapsulates the restless spirit of a band in continual evolution.
For those seeking an entry point into Fleetwood Mac’s more experimental era, “Tusk” offers a peculiar yet compelling starting place. It speaks louder with brass and percussion than it does with lyrics—creating an aural experience that is immersive, challenging, and ultimately rewarding. Even over four decades later, the song remains a conversation piece, a testament to the band’s forward-thinking ethos, and a sonic artifact well worth rediscovering.
Video
Fleetwood Mac – Tusk (1979)