FOO FIGHTERS
JULY 4, 1995
What is all the scream about this being in any way related to Nirvana? There are a few reflective split second moments that allow Nirvana to drift into the conscience brain of the listener, but ultimately this package will have a life of its own while standing on its own merits.
I am not a fan of bands who come out of the gate with a polished pure sounding fully digital recording. This allows no room for the band to grow and show maturity with each passing release. Dave Grohl, however, has the funds to produce a well polished mature sounding record right out of the starting gate. But lets not be fooled by all the $$$ available for this record becoming the post humorous Nirvana record everyone is anticipating.
Wait, Wait, Wait now into Track 6 "Floaty" and although polished as predicted the grinding guitars and constant movement of the drums is drawing in my psyche. The sway of "Floaty" combined with the head bobbing rhythm is winning us over quickly. Admittedly, the first 5 Tracks are future radio staples but once the listener gets into Track 7 "Weenie Beenie" the Punk Rock explosion of the 70's begins to take light and a visual of the stage dark and hot where the audience is ready to unleash their pent-up energy of youth is becoming clearer.
"Oh George" has some recycled guitar licks blended together to give a unique fill to a great piece of rock that does not have the catch for radio but is a great opener to "For All The Cows". Grohl wrenches the emotions of every listener by starting out in a subtle quiet lull so when you least expect it he drives the guitars at bullet speed into the speakers opening the song up. When you think you can not take anymore he drops into low gear letting you rest but don not be fooled because there is a blind turn that will pound the heart rate to the peak before the song ends.
Always a fan of songs with titles that consist of the letters X, Y, Z so "X-Static" could potentially become my favorite song from name alone. It does get over shadowed by "Wattershed" that grabs the grunge grinders and tosses them from left to right with the guitar riffs that eliminate any thought of this record ending with filler material.
The FOO FIGHTERS with Dave Grohl at the helm with his every sultry melodic vocals (who knew), ear splitting guitars that roll effortlessly over a great rhythm section of bass and drum can only be potentially a great first effort leaving nothing on the table for seconds. When a band leaves nothing left at the end of their debut album it can have early predictions that a sophomore slump is inevitable. So tour hard, boys, there may not be much left in the tank.
11/29/10
RUSTY
7/4/95