FLEETWOOD MAC - The Dance By MIKE GEE

Chains (from Rumours): A wonderful power opening that serves notice of just what fine fettle the core trio of Nicks, Buckingham an McVie are in. The three-part harmonies are utterly sublime. And the the drum build in the center that opens into that Buckingham solo is as wonderfully fluid as ever. And just listen to the pristine quality of the recording, one of the hallmarks of "The Dance".

Dreams (Rumours): If there was any doubt about the Mac's comeback it was that Nick's voice, ravaged by her long-term, now thankfully over, cocaine addiction wouldn't stand up. Stevie sounds fine. Perhaps, a littleless husky, but there's a determination and quality to her voice now that's been missing for a while. And she's singing songs she obviously loves. This is a gentle memory and beautiful song. "Thunder only happens when it's raining, players only love you when they're playing. They say women they will come and they will go, when the rain washes you'll clean you'll know."

Everywhere (Tango In the Night): "Welcome to our little soiree," says Christine, as she introduces Tango's dreamy hit. Again, the harmonies are breathtaking and McVie sounds like it's 1977 all over again. A classically beautiful voice, "Everywhere" remains one of her finest songs. Listen also for Buckingham's sublime guitar fills and the tightness of McVie and Fleetwood underpinning the song.

Rhiannon (Fleetwood Mac): This is Rhiannon. It needs no introduction. Opening with Nicks singing over McVie's fluid piano and some unobtrusive Fleetwood percussion, it hangs mystical, Nicks as close to some private nirvana as she gets, until Buckingham brings in those chords and "Rhiannon" lives and breathes again. Turn it up, shut your eyes, and remember the summer of '77. It was that good. "Dreams unwind, love's a state of mind, your dreams unwind and still it's hard to find - I know". Now it's more fragile than ever. They pull it off.

I'm So Afraid (Fleetwood Mac): If the opening salvo has been nearly perfect yet subtley restrained, this where "The Dance' and the Mac slip over the fine line between a good night and something totally memorable and inexplicable. Born on Buckingham's power chords, "So Afraid" is a monster of song that becomes totally empowered here. A thunder rumbling in a huge sonic space and a soaring Buckingham vocal that shows just how strong his voice has become over the years. The bottom end is monstrous and you can hear the whole band lift that extra notch. The solo is a blinder. Then again, it always was, and they bring it home beautifully. Stratospheric. It'll make your flesh tingle.

Temporary One: Glorious, tinkling, pop perfect, harmony laden, exquisite, rolling heaven, set up by a strummed Buckingham acoustic and McVie vocal: "The sea that divides us is a temporary one and the bridge will bring us back together". How true. Their story. Wonderful song. Great performance.

Bleed To Love Her: Buckingham explains how the Mac got back together after he invited Fleetwood to play drums on his next solo album and somehow they all ended up in a studio together, "feeling pretty good". This brand new song is an absolute killer and proves that what they once had is more than just memories. Buckingham sings his heart out over picked guitar, a wash of McVie keys, an irresistible rhythm and melody. "Bleed To Love Her" is great pop music.

Big Love (Tango In The Night): Buckingham's intro says it all, "Seems like everything goes in cycles and when I wrote this next song I was right at the end of my tenure in Fleetwood Mac and that leaving was really kind of a survival move both physically and emotionally, but it was also in reponse to the need to grow. I think we've all grown. And I know I'm a different man than man I was then and I'm doing the song differently to the way I was then. And I guess all that reinforces my faith in cycles." Just the man and his guitar, played with almost a Spanish inflection, this version is remarkable both for his vocal and stunning guitar work: just listen to the middle where he picks his way up and down the scale. Brilliant.

Landslide (Fleetwood Mac): "This is for you Daddy" purrs Nicks as Buckingham picks out the melody to one of her finest songs. Just Lindsey and Stevie together - like old times, it's one of the most emotional moments of "The Dance": "I've been afraid of changing because I built my life around you, but time makes you bolder, children get older, I'm getting older too". Nicks' finest vocal on the album takes "Landslide" into new territory. All inflection, contrast and note perfect. Swallow hard.

Say You Love Me (Fleetwood Mac): "A new twist on an old song with my ex- husband actually singing" grins Christine McVie. "If only my mummy could see me now" quips John as Buckingham intros this all-time classic on a mandolin. Grab an earful of the sublime "ooh la, la la" harmony vocals sung doowop and Beachboys style under Christine's vocal. Yes, John McVie's first ever vocal since joining Fleetwood Mac from John Mayall's Bluesbreakers in 1967. Simply stunning feel-good pop music.

My Little Demon: Buckingham intros with a speil about inner demons while Mick mucks it up in the background. It's about fighting for the positive choice, learning from your mistakes, and turning your back on stuff like addiction. Another new song, it's also potent, rollicking and loaded with strange grunts and demonic noises. The tempo changes are magic. Mac expel their various and collective "demons". A band that can actually smile at themselves - now.

Silver Springs (Last on the 4CD box set, 25 Years - The Chain): A poignant Nicks classic ballad highlighted here by McVie's piano, Buckingham's fragile solo, the middle eight harmony verse, and Nicks' obvious love of the song. We're running out of adjectives but haunting is fitting. Another of the sets' highlights.

You Make Loving Fun (Rumours): One of the Mac's biggest hits played straight here. Why mess with perfection. Christine McVie's finest moment on the album featuring that most sublime and soaring of choruses and the rock steady patented Mac kick back rhythm section. A celebration. Lovely and oh-so- graceful.

Sweet Girl: The third new song and what a little joy it is. Probably Nicks' best song since "When I See You Again" on "Tango in the Night". "But I chose to dance across the stages of the world, everyone said I'd never learn, I still hear your words, but I waited all my life for you": a song that seems to have a subtle reference to her addiction and her loves. Semi-acoustic and full of chiming guitar and some lovely percussion, "Sweet Girl" is as irresistible as it is both coy and inward looking.

Go Your Own Way (Rumours): Needs no words, other than this version is as good as it gets. This is Fleetwood Mac as they will always been remembered. Rock proud, harmony perfect, melody divine, and Buckingham really lets the chords flay. Now a song of triumph - over the losses it recounts. The beginning of the ride home for "The Dance".

Tusk (Tusk): Mick Fleetwood's rhythm monster from the double album that had the critics nashing their teeth at the time. It was either an eccentric masterpiece or a brash piece of overstated nonsense. It gets the full treatment here, with a drum solo (short), brass band (as did the original) and oodles of power. Strangely, "Tusk" has aged well. Great fun and the perfect prelude to the finale.

Don't Stop (Rumours): What else could you possibly end a comeback with. "We never did this with brass section before so this should be interesting", laughs Mc Vie as the Mac explode into their anthem. Buckingham takes the first verse, McVie the second, the brass blows in, Buckingham fires off the solo, the third verse is the entire band and everything is swinging, jiving, celebrating, partying, Chrissie unleashes some boogie woogie piano and, folks, don't you look back, because Fleetwood Mac have done the impossible and comeback. This is their finest hour. Who'd have believed it possible.

Critics make get cynical about "The Dance" and you may read mutterings about old-timers and has beens, but pay no attention. If you love music, and you aren't a genre freak who's too cool to dig the best there is, no matter the style, sound or age, then this bunch of much-loved songs and new friends is absolutely essential. "The Dance" is the epitomy of everything that makes rock great. Simply, it is a triumph. A glorious, emotional, triumph.