Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours is one of those lightning-in-a-bottle albums.
Glossy yet raw, intimate yet universal, timeless in its bittersweet perfection. Every track feels like it could soundtrack heartbreak, healing, or both at once, and it’s little wonder it remains a touchstone for generations of listeners. But if you’ve worn out your copy and know every harmony and guitar lick by heart, you’re not out of luck.
The ’70s California-rock scene — and its wider orbit — produced a wealth of albums that share the same DNA: confessional songwriting delivered with polish, golden vocal blends that shimmer like sunlight, and production that somehow makes even sadness sound lush. Some are classics hiding in plain sight, others are forgotten gems waiting to be rediscovered.
1. Andrew Gold What’s Wrong With This Picture? (1976)
Andrew Gold was a quintessential L.A. session musician turned solo artist, and this album shows why. His knack for hooks and clean, polished arrangements make tracks like 'Lonely Boy' both radio-ready and heartfelt. Like Fleetwood Mac, he balanced craft and vulnerability, delivering sophisticated pop-rock with a sting of melancholy. A perfect bridge between the Laurel Canyon singer-songwriter tradition and the rising West Coast soft-rock scene.
Start here: Lonely Boy
2. Nicolette Larson Nicolette (1978)
Nicolette Larson’s debut is steeped in the warmth of California country-rock, with Neil Young and Linda Ronstadt connections all over it. The hit 'Lotta Love' (a Neil Young cover) sparkles, but deeper cuts reveal Larson’s ability to mix intimacy and polish. Fans of Christine McVie’s elegant songwriting will find kindred spirit here — a blend of tenderness and lush production that feels right at home alongside Rumours.
Start here: Lotta Love
3. Boz Scaggs Silk Degrees (1976)
A masterclass in smooth sophistication, Silk Degrees gave us the hit 'Lowdown', but the whole record is a subtle delight. It’s California rock crossed with R&B and funk grooves, showcasing Scaggs’ silky voice and impeccable studio craft. Much like Rumours, it proved that polished production didn’t have to mean sterile emotion. The mix of heartache and urbane style would inspire yacht-rock for years to come.
Start here: Lowdown
4. Karla Bonoff Karla Bonoff (1977)
Bonoff was a songwriter’s songwriter, penning hits for Linda Ronstadt and others, but her debut shows her own voice shining. With heartfelt ballads and lush arrangements, the album balances intimacy with radio sheen. If Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie embodied two sides of Rumours, Bonoff feels like a missing third thread: deeply emotional but tightly crafted, with songs that are soft yet enduring.
Start here: Someone to Lay Down Beside Me
5. Pages Pages (1978)
Before becoming the hit-making duo Mr. Mister, Pages crafted a stunning debut album. It’s full of intricate harmonies, slick production, and jazz-inflected pop that straddles the line between Steely Dan and Fleetwood Mac. The record didn’t find a wide audience, but it’s a shining example of late-’70s studio rock: clean, heartfelt, and quietly adventurous. A perfect “if you know, you know” recommendation for Rumours fans.
Start here: If I Saw You Again
6. Jennifer Warnes Shot Through the Heart (1979)
Before her later fame with '“'Up Where We Belong', Jennifer Warnes released this underappreciated gem. It blends folk, pop, and soul, with beautifully clear production and emotionally resonant performances. Like Rumours, it’s an album about human relationships — full of vulnerability, resilience, and just enough polish to make it glide. A softer, quieter record, but one that rewards repeated listens with its craft and honesty.
Start here: I Know a Heartache When I See One
7. Dane Donohue Dane Donohue (1978)
A cult favourite among collectors of West Coast rock, Donohue’s lone album is a lost classic. Smooth harmonies, dazzling session work, and an almost-too-perfect studio gloss make it a fascinating listen. Featuring members of both Fleetwood Mac and Eagles, Donohue's debut has the polish of Rumours but leans slightly jazzier, with grooves that nod toward Steely Dan. Sadly overlooked, but for fans of ’70s California pop-rock, this is a buried treasure worth unearthing.
Start here: Casablanca
8. Stephen Bishop Careless (1976)
Known for his bittersweet ballad 'On and On', Bishop’s debut brims with wry humour and melodic flair. His pop sensibilities lean toward the gentle, but there’s a sharp intelligence under the surface. Fans of Lindsey Buckingham’s sly, left-field instincts will appreciate Bishop’s ability to balance accessibility with quirks. Careless is sophisticated without being sterile, a reminder that singer-songwriter pop could be both witty and heartfelt.
Start here: On and On
9. Bill LaBounty Bill LaBounty (1978)
This soft-rock sleeper is a masterpiece of craft. LaBounty’s smooth vocals ride atop lush arrangements, blending elements of pop, R&B, and yacht-rock sophistication. Like Rumours, it thrives on polish without sacrificing emotional resonance. It’s an album built for late nights — sleek, slightly melancholic, and full of detail in both songwriting and production. For fans who like Fleetwood Mac’s smoothest edges, this is a goldmine.
Start here: Livin' It Up
10. Valerie Carter Wild Child (1978)
Backed by L.A. greats like Little Feat's Lowell George and members of Toto, Valerie Carter’s sophomore album is a Laurel Canyon jewel. Carter’s voice is airy yet powerful, delivering songs that balance intimacy with grandeur. There’s a bittersweetness here reminiscent of Stevie Nicks — vulnerability wrapped in elegance. Though the record was overlooked, it captures that same California alchemy of confession, beauty, and studio magic that Rumours perfected. Fun fact: Steve Winwood's 'Valerie' was about Carter.
Start here: Crazy
11. Walter Egan Not Shy (1978)
Walter Egan’s claim to fame is 'Magnet and Steel', a shimmering soft-rock classic featuring backing vocals from, yes indeed, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. The rest of Not Shy holds up, too — breezy, melodic, and steeped in California cool. It’s impossible not to hear Fleetwood Mac’s fingerprints, yet Egan’s songwriting has its own charm. A record that lives in the long shadow of Rumours, but deserves a place in the sun.
Start here: Magnet and Steel
