Fleetwood Rolls on Without Buckingham : *** 1/2 FLEETWOOD MAC “Behind the Mask” <i> Warner </i> B<i> ros. Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor) to five stars (a classic). </i>

Fleetwood Mac has survived--even thrived--for two decades through the comings and goings of creative linchpins Peter Green, Jeremy Spencer, Danny Kirwan and Bob Welch. But the loss of Lindsey Buckingham, who spearheaded the group’s longest and most successful phase, figured to be too much.

Time to refigure. Without Buckingham’s obsessively unique vision, the group has embraced an all-for-one, one-for-all attitude for what sounds like the most truly group effort since “Rumours,” or perhaps even since 1972’s “Bare Trees.”

Following a Mac tradition, newcomer singer-guitarists Rick Vito and Billy Burnette make their mark right off the bat. Eight of the album’s generous 13 songs bear their writing credits, and it’s in fact the Vito/Stevie Nicks burner “Love Is Dangerous” that sets the tone, reinjecting the band’s original blues foundation.

Nicks and Christine McVie both seem revitalized by the changes and contribute spirited adult pop songs, while founders Mick Fleetwood and John McVie remain the stalwart rhythm anchor that’s been the one constant through the years. But, again, this Fleetwood Mac is not about individuals. And to think we always assumed it was turmoil and instability that made the group interesting.