Lindsey Buckingham’s 4-CD Box Set Review: Is It Worth the Price?
This is a 4-CD collection that gathers all of Buckingham’s solo albums from the last century, including Law and Order, Go Insane, Out of the Cradle, and a fourth disc of non-LP tracks exclusive to this set.
Let’s start with the basics. The box set’s design is straightforward, similar to what we’ve seen in other recent releases like the Van Halen Hagar Years collection. Inside the slipcase, you’ll find the four CDs, each housed in a simple sleeve. For Law and Order and Go Insane, they’ve recreated the original album artwork, including the gatefold sleeve for Law and Order. However, there isn’t much more to it—just four discs in a box.
Now, onto the music itself. I’ll be honest, my primary interest in this set stemmed from my love of Fleetwood Mac. I’ve always appreciated Buckingham’s contributions to the band, particularly his guitar work, but I hadn’t yet explored his solo catalog in depth. I thought this box set would be the perfect opportunity to fill in that gap.
However, my journey through these albums has been a mixed experience. Let’s break it down:
Law and Order: This album showcases Buckingham’s ability to use the studio as an instrument, layering sounds and textures in intricate ways. But for me, it felt overproduced and lacked the raw emotion that I love in his work with Fleetwood Mac.
Go Insane: This one didn’t really resonate with me either. While I can appreciate the artistry and the experimental approach Buckingham took, the songs didn’t connect with me on an emotional level.
Out of the Cradle: Just when I was starting to lose hope, Out of the Cradle pulled me back in. This album features some absolutely superb guitar work, both classical and electric. The musicianship is top-notch, and the songs are more structured and engaging. I found myself playing this one on repeat, and it’s definitely the highlight of the set for me.
Rarities Disc: The fourth disc contains non-LP tracks and rarities, including Holiday Road, made famous by the National Lampoon’s Vacation films. While it’s always interesting to hear these lesser-known tracks, I couldn’t help but feel that these could have easily been integrated into the other discs. The inclusion of extended versions and 12-inch mixes didn’t add much for me, and at around 30 minutes, this disc felt a bit underwhelming.
The Verdict: Is It Worth It?
Here’s where I get a bit critical. At nearly £50, this box set feels overpriced for what it is. Yes, the albums have been beautifully remastered by Bernie Grundman, whose work I deeply respect, but I can’t help but feel that the packaging and presentation don’t justify the price tag. In the past, a set like this would have been much more affordable.
If you’re a die-hard Lindsey Buckingham fan, you’ll likely appreciate the attention to detail in the remastering and the opportunity to own these albums in one collection. However, for casual fans or those who, like me, were curious to explore his solo work, this might be a tough sell at full price. My advice? Keep an eye out for a price drop.
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
