Lindsey Buckingham

Back before Mick Fleetwood invited the existing Buckingham/Nicks to join Fleetwood Mac in ’74, they were doing quite nicely on their own, thanks. Buckingham was clearly steering the ship with his Brian Wilson-induced popcraft and production gifts — their sole ’73 release is worth seeking, although hard to find. Free on his own, Buckingham has proven his pop genius over and over again, especially with ’92s Out of the Cradle and since. Add Gift of Screws to this list; it’s hyper-kinetic and genius-packed with fresh ideas. Always sounding vocally pinched and speed-pitched, Buckingham creates a unique place of his own construction, content to reveal his otherworldly dedication to his muse whether anyone is listening or not. He’s always been prolific, if not just left of madness, and his degree of creativity is mesmerizing — nobody else does what Lindsey Buckingham does. Few could. From the immediacy of "Great Day,” with its electric and acoustic guitars pulsed to a runner’s heartbeat, to the pop perfect "Did You Miss Me,” Buckingham proves his skills as a composer, player and innovative force. And just when he’s starting to sound too sweet, he’ll pull out a dark horse like "Wait for You” to offset any Mac comparisons, a demon he most certainly fights. This is frenetic, fascinating and fundamental.