Foo Fighters Album: “One by One”

Now that the Foo Fighters line-up has stabilized as a nice equitable four-piece, this album presents a real group effort and is not just the work of Dave Grohl, although he has always been a strong songwriter. This is by far the strongest Foo Fighters album simply because it is a collective effort by a strong and stable band. Now that most of post-grunge has become a joke, it's great to see the masters of the form continue to develop their sound in their own way and rise above the imitators. With a combination of the best drama and emotion of grunge, and some more up-to-date elements of metal and mainstream rock, a bold and mature new sound has developed. This album starts out with the incredible "All My Life" which features a truly powerful and moving finale, and most of the rest of the album keeps the magic alive with little difficulty. More winners include the dramatic "Lonely As You," the punishing guitar workout "Low," and the unique drumless "Tired of You." Move over Puddle of Creed, and learn from the masters.

I guess I was never much of a fan of Nirvana, in spite of having come out of college at about the time that they were at the peak of their fame, so back when Dave Grohl came out with Foo Fighters I was not terribly enticed to check them out. But 'One By One' seems to have come in at a perfect time for me: this year's Grammys presented their track "Times Like These" in a totally different light, alongside jazz piano legend Chick Corea, and that alone struck a chord with me.

'One by One' is a solid production that reminds of Pearl Jam at their best moment (during their album 'Ten'), and quite surpassing their contemporaries from Audioslave. Probably the best thing is that they show a mature sound; they don't continue to limp obsessively within the realm of grunge (or post-grunge, whatever that is): Dave's voice along with a strong guitar, bass and drums works is "music" to my ears! So good to hear such good rock still been produced. It doesn't have one bland moment, which makes it very tough to pick a favorite track.

With pictures of the band members that will remind you of the style of U2's 'Achtung Baby' or Depeche Mode's most recent albums (thanks to A. Corbjin's work), this album is highly recommendad for those who rejoice in good music, regardless of the length of your hair or the size of your musical collection.

I've seen a lot of reviews for this album, and a lot of them have been negative. But nobody seems to give real reasons why. Do they dislike it because they don't like that Foos have picked up more of a hard-rock sound, mostly ditching the pop-rock of "there is nothing left to lose" with the exception of a couple tracks? Or perhaps they didn't like the fact that there weren't any ballads (some say that "Lonely as You" was a ballad, but that's debatable). Or perhaps they don't like the fact that there aren't any bad songs, not counting "Burn Away." But for whatever reason they don't like it... It's a bad reason. Buy this if you have any taste, and if you don't have any taste, go and buy whatever Linkin Park cd is out.

Dave Grohl and company have finally released their much-anticipated follow-up to their 1999's There's Nothing Left To Lose. Grohl, the ex-Nirvana drummer, has proven once again that his talents extend beyond the cymbals and drums he sat behind. After lending his skills to Tenacious D and the Queens of the Stone Age, he has returned to front one of the greatest bands in rock and roll today.

Today's rock music has pretty much been massacred. I'm not saying that everything is bad, but rock music has gotten to the point where everything sounds the same. New bands, wanting to hit it big, come out all following the same formula to make music like the successors before them. Most bands are either trying to sound like Pearl Jam/Creed or The Strokes/The Hives. Nothing is original anymore.

This all changes with the Foo Fighter's fourth studio album One by One. This album delves into territory that had been previously unexplored. Much texture is added to the songs with the addition of guitarist Chris Shifflett, and Grohl gives a breath-taking performance on vocals and lyrics. The CD is too phenomenal not to take a closer look at the tracks.

1. All My Life - The perfect opening track and first single as Grohl starts off with a simple, choppy guitar riff followed by his soft, distinct voice. The song then ignites as the rest of the band joins in to create a classic arena rocking masterpiece.

2. Low - Taylor Hawkins tears it up on drums with this dark, and gloomy metal-influence piece.

3. Have It All - Nate Mendel's bass prowess shines through this traditional Foo's style as Grohl's amazing voice draws you into the chorus.

4. Times Likes These - U2 influence guitar riff and Grohl's favorite song to write on the album.

5. Disenchanted Lullaby - Soft, beautiful ballad transforms into a monster-heavy ballad.

6. Tired of You - Queen quitarist Brian May's lends his guitar work on this astonishing and breathtaking song.

7. Halo - Popish song that is simply amazing.

8. Lonely As You - (tear)

11. Come Back - A guitar epic close to eight minutes long. Distorted guitar to feedback to acoustic jam to faint electric guitar solo and back to overdriven power chords.

So my opinion on this CD, it's awesome!!!!

I was never a Nirvana fan (as they and the whole grunge movement snuffed out my '80s metal and melodic rock favs), but I have always enjoyed the Foo Fighters. While some considered their last album a bit soft, I still found it a fantastic album. That being said, I did have to wonder how rocking future efforts by this band would be at the time. Often, when bands start to get soft they will continue along that path. Suffice it to say, that did not happen with the Foo Fighters on this exceptional album.

From the opening riff of the first track and single "All My Life", you can tell that this is going to be a rocking ride. The pace does not let up at all with "Low" and "Have It All". Then comes the mid-tempo but still-rocking track "Times Like These"--the second single. I agree with reviewers who state that this track should become a classic. "Disechanted Lullaby" picks up the heavier pace again before the only true slow track of the album.

"Tired Of You" is what I would call the one ballad on the album. Great track that is still not as slow as a couple of tracks on the previous album. "Halo", a mid-tempo track, then follows before the Foos totally rock out on "Lonely As You". "Overdrive" is a kind of mid-temp track again before the rocker "Burn Away" and epic, rocking anthem "Come Back"--a phenominal track that just builds and builds to an amazing cresendo to close out this remarkable album. The DVD included is also a nice add-on to an already-great collection.

The first time I listened to this album, I marvelled at its "live" feel and sonic quality. To this day, the album still blows me away. For a modern rock album, it just doesn't get much better than this.

The naysayers to this album, in my estimation, have one of two issues: (1) They hate any music that sounds remotely mainstream, and/or (2) they actually believe that Nirvana and Kurt Cobain were the pinacle of rock music history, the best there ever was or will be. For rock music fans like me, who enjoy various rock music from a good four decades, this one is a high quality entry for the decade we are in. Highly recommended.