Pop music is kind of doing this, serially recording variations that prompt critics to ask "why are all songs the same?" I've worked in a number of recording se

Pop music is kind of doing this, serially recording variations that prompt critics to ask "why are all songs the same?" I've worked in a number of recording sessions. There are seldom actually multiple takes -- those cost money. There is usually one publishable take. When you've got that one in the can, you move on to the next song. But naturally I can't speak for major acts like Fleetwood Mac. Historically, bands varied a lot in terms of how much editing they wanted to do. Many hits were recorded in one take by hired studio musicians.