By Audrey Mckenzie
Entertainment Editor
It has been an entire decade since the release of Stevie Nick’s last studio album, but her new album “In Your Dreams” is enchanting old and new fans alike. The thirteen-track record, released on May 3, is an embodiment of her unique, unmatched style that made her a pop rock icon in the late ‘70s.
“In Your Dreams” delivers something that few other artists have been able to recreate: the mix of rock, pop and folk that Nicks is known for. Nicks’ unique sound breathes an authenticity into her music that is unmatched by any artist of this decade. She remains true to her style, demonstrating no interest in reinventing herself as a marketable artist of this era, which is likely a reason why she has remained so successful for decades.
“In Your Dreams” is multifaceted and diverse in its track selection. “Secret Love” opens the album as a revival of sorts of the Fleetwood Mac sound, as Mick Fleetwood is featured on drums. This track, which was written in 1976 about a surreptitious affair she had, is a real treasure. “Soldier’s Angel” is also for fans of Nicks’ original group at track eight, complete with accompaniment from Fleetwood’s Lindsey Buckingham.
There is also a taste of country in “In Your Dreams.” “For What It’s Worth,” has a definite country sound to it, and it was cowritten with Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. This variety in style brings a depth and warmth to the album, as well as delivering the rhythmic pop sound that many fans associate with Nicks.
Some of Nicks’ most appealing qualities are her honesty and authenticity, both of which shine through in the lyrics of her songs. She writes and sings openly about her mistakes, indiscretions and personal feelings, leaving behind any fear of judgment or need to justify her actions. In both “For What It’s Worth” and “Secret Love” she freely discusses her entanglements with various unavailable men.
Some songs are also based on poems that Nicks has written throughout her life, including the raspy “Annabel Lee,” track 7. Nicks wrote this song as a teen, after reading Edgar Allan Poe’s infamous poem of the same name. This willingness to make herself vulnerable to her fans is admirably casual, and it has developed a unique connection between Nicks and her fans.
Nicks’ willingness to invite her fans into her personal life is further exemplified in the place in which she chose to record this album: her Los Angeles home. This on its own gives the record a welcoming and personal feel.
While most of this album delivers the flawless sound that fans have come to know, there are a few tracks which are subpar in comparison with the rest of the record. In “Wide Sargasso Sea,” track four, and “Everybody Love You,” track nine, Nicks discusses living her life in the spotlight and her inability to have private parts of her life remain private. However, the tempos seem odd and dated for these types of songs.
The upbeat “Ghosts Are Gone” most closely captures Nicks’ classic sound. “Ghosts are Gone” is one of the great treasures of “In Your Dreams.” The final track, “Cheaper Than Free,” is a duet with Dave Stewart. It is a graceful and flawless way to end an impeccable record.
Long-time fans and new listeners alike will all undoubtedly find something to love about “In Your Dreams.” The album can be found on iTunes or purchased in retail stores everywhere.
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