The Colour and the Shape |
Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace |
Foo Fighters
Dave Grohl probably knew that breaking out
of the shadow of Nirvana was never
going to be easy. After all, he was just the drummer
in the one of the greatest rock and roll stories ever told,
and certainly second banana behind the tortured genius of Kurt
Cobain. When this album was set for release, people could probably
smell stinker from a mile away. So what did Grohl do? He took
a bit of a left turn, adding a dose of Beach
Boys, Cheap Trick and big
rock sounds to what everybody figured would be Nirvana II. It
turns out that this guy actually does have some talent! I mean
we always knew he was one of the craziest and most intense drummers
around, but with this debut album he plays all of the instruments,
writes, sings and creates an amazingly catchy bunch of tunes
that have a flavor all their own. Less dark, and a bit more
geeky, Grohl shows his personality on this album, and creates
something that is both commercial as well as completely on point
in terms of upholding the legacy of his former self. Sure, the
production could have been a little less muddy, and Grohl is
just a little scared to let his voice really fly, but this is
a really solid start to what has become a monolithic career. |
One by One
|
There is Nothing Left to Lose
|
Wasting Light
It's been a while since I've been a fan of
Foo Fighters. Not because they've changed or lowered the quality
of their output, but because my tastes have changed since the
demise and resurrection of Nirvana
as the Foo back in the mid-90s. Not that the two bands are in
any way similar, but I'll generally buy at least the first album
by a new band formed from the ashes of one that was formerly
beloved. Shit, I have pretty much every album by every member
of Pavement as they splintered.
And that first Foo album was great. The second was great too.
And they've continued being the huge rock band they deserve
to be. Even on this thing, they don't lower the energy level,
and don't go all soft on us. They aren't moving into Goo Goo
Dolls territory. They aren' Mrazing it up, which they could
easily do. And they could be played at proms and graduations
and all sorts of stuff (see Green Day).
Instead Dave is taking it to the people, continuing to write
rock music for rock fans young and old. The music is accessible
and fun no doubt, but Taylor
Hawkins is smashing the shit out of the drums, they're pulling
out the cool 70s arena rock harmonies and writing music that
feels true to who they are. I mean Grohl is the dorkiest rock
front man ever, and clearly enjoys his day job. He loves making
big rock. And I love him for it, even if I've moved on somewhat.
Fuckin' rock star. |
Musical Connections:
Nirvana
Queens of the Stone Age
Sunny Day Real Estate
Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders
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