Jake’s Weblog

This week, I decided to review the relatively new Foo Fighters album released this September, since I hadn’t gotten the chance to hear it yet 

The Pretender – An upbeat, track with a very Foo-Fightersish riff.  But, Honestly I’m not really a fan – it has a sound and tone very reminiscent of One-by-One era Foo work.  As it progresses, the song picks up in my mind, but overall, nothing spectacular.

Let it Die – Like many songs in this album, it features a primarily soft, more acoustic sound, building into a more upbeat, driving sound.  There’s nothing particularly spectacular or noteworthy about the track, so let’s move on.

Erase/Replace – In contrast, this track is a driving, hard-hitting track from the very start.  Ultimately, though, cheesy lyrics and a less-than-spectacular rhythm make the listener move to the next track before the song is even done, as I’m doing right now.

Long Road to Ruin – At first impression, not a bad song – it has the same feel as other big Foo songs like “Times Like These” and “Learn to Fly” I can see this being a decent single.  It’s upbeat and yet decidedly unique.

Come Alive -  I can appreciate acoustic at times, but personally it’s not my cup of tea.  This song has a certain sound though, which is just overall pleasing to listen to.  Much like “Let it Die,” though, it features a soft first 2min. followed by about another three minutes of the same clichéd upbeat guitar that is so characteristic of this album.  The solo isn’t bad, and I always like to hear Dave Grohl screaming, but it’s decidedly mediocre.

Stranger Things Have Happened – The acoustic part at the very start of the single is very interesting – I’d even go so far as to call it a little Nirvana-esque at times.  It showcases a little bit of that grunge influence still present on the first Foo-Fighters album.  All in all a decent track.

Cheer Up, Boys (Your Makeup is Running) – Right from the start, a total contrast to the previous track.  It has that classical uplifting Foo Fighters sound, to make an excellent track, all in all.

Summer’s End – As the album begins to wind down, Summer’s End provides a slow steady tune to bring the album toward a close.  Ultimately, though, there isn’t really anything special or noteworthy about the track.

Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners – I think it’s really great that the Foo Fighters put this track on here – it has a cool, acoustic sound, and though an instrumental, is worth a listen.  The song was written for the Beaconsfield miners, who were trapped in an Australian mine collapse, and while awaiting rescue requested just an iPod with Foo Fighters songs on.  Way to repay the favor.

Statues – A nice track overall – it has a good uplifting beat, it features a cool piano part, and what I’m pretty sure is an accordion in the background – a really nice song.

But, Honestly – I consider this the best track on the album.  It has an uplifting, acoustic beat, but when listening to it, it can conjure up strong emotion and memories, like other big Foo hits like “Times Like These” and “Best of You” – it has a very nostalgic tone in some ways.  They finally got it right when building into a driving climax, though – this is truly a great track.  I’d call it one of the top ten Foo Fighter songs thus far.

Home – Not bad overall; like “Statues” it has a piano part as a main part.  It’s a good closer, but the album wouldn’t have lost anything by not including it.  It’s a little depressing to go from a great track like “But, Honestly” to this.  However, it’s not bad.  If I were sitting on a front porch in Montana watching the sun set, it’d be awesome.

All in all, The Foo Fighters have produced a mediocre album, I think.  I’d give it 3 stars.  I’m a little discouraged at the consistency in sound throughout, and their lyrics overall don’t seem to be getting much better.  Ever since their third album, they seem to have lost the fluidity present on Foo Fighters and even into their sophomore album.  I would say their previous effort, In Your Honor was better album.  Echoes, Silence, Patience, and Grace does make an interesting departure toward a more stripped-down, acoustic sound.  There is much more simplicity present overall.  What I crave however, is that genius simplicity off their self-titled debut.  That album had simple, catchy rhythms, blending what Dave Grohl had learned under the Godfather of Grunge Kurt Cobain in his tenure with Nirvana, and yet a distinctly new, different sound.  That new, different sound has been something of a sell-out to typical post-grunge sounds in recent efforts.  Still, there is still a certain individuality about this band that will likely never go away, and it’s apparent, if somewhat dimmed.