Nothing! If you’re already a fan of Foo Fighters (or Nirvana) then I reckon you’re probably going to like this, the latest offering from Dave Grohl’s Foo Fighters. Yes, just in case anyone doesn’t know, I’ll provide some background…
Ahem. Once upon a time there was a band called Nirvana that practically ruled the planet. Well, that’s not really very good is it? No, but everyone must know this bit. More importantly, for anyone who lost interest after Kurt’s suicide (or otherwise) is the fact that drummer of said band (the aforementioned Dave Grohl) has since continued with his own band under the moniker Foo Fighters. Their self-titled debut (really little more than a glorified one-man demo) was released within a year of Kurt’s death. Despite this, it was a very good record and the Foos were voted best new band in Kerrang! that year. The follow up, ‘The Colour and the Shape’, was even better, spawning classics like ‘Monkey Wrench’ and ‘Everlong’ and winning the Foos a considerable fan base of their own (rather than them relying on Nirvana’s).
So, how does this measure up? Well, the album was again recorded in difficult circumstances – the band parted from their record label (Capitol) and guitarist Franz Stahl. Subsequently, however, the band signed to RCA, a label not known for their rock roster, and thus were allowed to do largely what they wanted with this album, recording it in Dave’s own studio with a back-to-basics approach, in contrast to the smooth production of ‘The Colour and the Shape’. And the result? Well, the short version of this opinion is: yes, it’s good, but not as good as ‘The Colour…’
Although they’ve continued to progress in a more poppy direction, and increasing commercial
success, the album opens with one of their heaviest songs to date, ‘Stacked Actors’. Allegedly about Courtney Love (also the subject of ‘I’ll Stick Around’ from their debut) the song is not only musically fast-paced and rocky, but quite lyrically vehement too. It’s about fake Hollywood lifestyle:
“You look so messy when you dress up in dreams One more for hire, a wonderful liar I think it’s time we all should come clean Stack dead actors, stacked to the rafters Line up the b*****ds, all I want is the truth’ Hey, hey, can you fake it”
(It could well be about Ms Love, but is ironically like ‘Celebrity Skin’ in theme!) Being quite a straightforward angry rock song, this was quite immediate, and an early favourite of mine. By the time it received a low-key single release (the fifth from the album!) I’d gone off it somewhat though. It’s not particularly deep or significant and, to be honest, there are other bands that do shouty angsty rock better.
Next up, we have a quirkier offering. ‘Breakout’ (third single, from the ‘Me, Myself & Irene’ soundtrack) begins with a strange vocodered sound, “You make me dizzy, running circles in my head/ One of these days I’ll chase you down” and launches into a rocky chorus once more. This time, it’s more happy bounce-around rock than the anger of the previous song, and it’s pretty catchy too. Not my personal favourite, but one of many highlights on the album.
The same could be said of ‘Learn To Fly’, although it’s a much more laid back, acoustic and commercial song. This was the first single from the album, and probably best remembered for it’s video – it features the band goofing around on a plane a foiling drugs smugglers, with Dave himself playing about five parts! It’s a very funny video, which I still saw recently on MTV (as in summer 2001, although the single was originally released October 1999) and I’m sure many of you will know it. The video’s included on the enhanced CD-ROM bit, and the song itself is very good. Although it’s a bit bland and MOR (mainstream oriented rock) it’s still quite catchy and undeniably commercial.
In case anyone thought the Foos were selling out, they do their best to disprove it with the next two tracks. ‘Gimme Stitches’ is a pretty similar sound, quite slow and gentle, but hardly the kind of song you’d expect in the charts:
“Dress me up in stitches it’s now or never Dying to get my blood on you Take another stab at me I promise in time I’ll heal… How can you go on when you’re murdering someone Killing me like you do”
Then ‘Generator’, which was actually released as a five-track limited edition single (meaning it wouldn’t be chart eligible). Similar to ‘Breakout’, we again get the funny wooaaahhh woooaaaahhh intro, but this time the song itself is a quiet, sad affair, rather than rocky stomper. The softer mood is taken up by ‘Aurora’; the longest song on the album at 5:50. It’s another gentle acoustic number, with again fairly sad reflective lyrics, but still a good song, if somewhat unexciting. Rather relaxing in fact.
The second half of the album is lacking so many hit singles and, although the songs are still good, they start getting a bit samey in places, almost like ‘Foo-Fighters-by-numbers’, although that’s not a major complaint. ‘Live-In Skin’ kicks this off, beginning with a simple guitar and becoming a radio-friendly soft rock song, faintly protesting about boring, mundane life. Actually one of my favourites, in an understated sort of way.
‘Next Year’ was the fourth single, another soft one, this time with a slight country feel. It’s quiet and radio-friendly again, but once more Dave demonstrates that he must have caught Kurt’s knack of writing pop hits (only without Kurt’s angst). The gentle mood continues on to ‘Headwires’ although it is slightly more upbeat, it seems less inspired, and strikes me as possibly the worst song on the album, though still a good one. Penultimate track ‘Ain’t It The Life’ repeats the formula. A slow-paced, country-tinged reflective look at life, but again calm, relaxing and enjoyable (if in a slightly sad way).
Although the album seems to have been drifting to a gentle finish for the last few songs, closer ‘M.I.A.’ (missing in action) is actually more upbeat, with a return to the catchy sing-along chorus “You won’t find me, I’m going M.I.A.” That’s not all though, the album also includes an enhanced multimedia section. Stick it in your computer and you can see the ‘Learn To Fly’ video (mentioned earlier), pictures of the band and read the lyrics (although I’d have preferred to have them printed in the sleeve).
Overall conclusions: Well, at times this seems to drift by in a slightly repetitive way, but there are enough variations between songs to keep it interesting rather than boring. It could be a bit longer than 46:24 too (although it isn’t boosted by any annoying ‘hidden tracks’). Dave’s voice isn’t all Kurt’s was, but it doesn’t really show here, more on live b-sides. This album’s poppier and more commercial than ‘The Colour…’ but not, in my opinion, quite as good. If you’re new to the Foos, that may be the better start, unless you’re slightly scared of rock. If you’re an established fan, I don’t think this will disappoint. If you like pop-rock such as Feeder, Everclear, Weezer, Nirvana, Offspring, etc and haven’t heard Foo Fighters, I suggest you check them out, but again, ‘The Colour…’ maybe the best start. Despite slight faults, this is still a very good album and one of the best of the year in my opinion. 9.5/10
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Great review. I always wanted this one but never got round to buying it, thanks for reminding me :-) Juz x
jimblob 17.06.2003 23:23
I am a reletive newcomer to the Foo Fighters (mainly due to my son belting out their albums on his CD player at full volume). I have to say that I like them a lot now, I am a fan of really loud music of most kinds (Music always sounds so much better when the volume is increased)and the screaming vocals of Dave Grohl are just the ticket when I am out driving on my own, much to the disgust of all the boy racers in town with their repetetive "boom boom boom" music. Foo Fighters Rock bigly and even for an old fogey like me that is great news in a music world full of manufactured cack :-)
thebeastofsway 23.10.2002 17:44
Good op, nice detail, this album is centainly more mellow than the others.
Just what is it that you do when the world catches up with you? Dave Grohl's pre-Foo ... more
Fighters career was about rebellion and breaking moulds, whether it was in Washington DC hardcore bands (Mission Impossible, Scream) or in Nirvana. When he stepped...
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Just what is it that you do when the world catches up with you? Dave Grohl's pre-Foo ... more
Fighters career was about rebellion and breaking moulds, whether it was in Washington DC hardcore bands (Mission Impossible, Scream) or in Nirvana. When he stepped...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: Great Very Pop friendly and fills the purpose it appears to have been made for Disadvantages: Not what You would expect if you're an older Foo's fan
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Jul 14th, 2001
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