He already wore a yellow flannel for Sonic Highways review, but he gave it a 5 since that time there was no association between the flannels and the scores.
Jokes aside, I genuinely hope Dave Grohl is okay. Losing both his mother and Taylor Hawkins last year have been really rough for him and I genuinely hope he'll be able to get through this. RIP Taylor and Virginia
The fact that he was able to make an ALBUM, let alone a very good one, so quickly after losing his best friend and his mother, in the same year, in his 50s, speaks volumes of Dave Grohl. Not only a great musician but an incredible human being.
Reminder that this is the same guy who wrote and recorded the entire debut foo fighters record by himself months after losing Kurt cobain. As sad as it is, a lot of artists use their music to cope with the tragedy.
@@FizzyCape yeah exactly. No hate to the comment above or anything, but even though it may be a bit messed up to say, I don’t think the album would be as good as it is if Dave grohl didn’t lose those loved ones. When you are an artist feeling a strong emotion, it lights a spark in you to convey that emotion you feel as accurately as possible in a physically conceivable medium. If Dave grohl hadn’t gone through what he did he would’ve never had that spark to make something great.
@@Foeisudhxj I still wish he never had to go through it though. But the fact that he's able to find the light at the end of yet ANOTHER tunnel is incredible.
@@Foeisudhxj I agree. I wish he didn’t have to go through that although the human condition means we all do. If you think about it, rock especially is about channeling strong emotions for release. Stands to reason this would be the case. I think he had lost one of his best friends from VA about a year before Wasting Light.
i know right?? i was kinda concerned because Medicine At Midnight wasn't too long ago, but dear lord it's GREAT. probably in the top half of their discography for me
Many reviews I've read don't mention Dave's mom passing, it wasn't widely reported, and it was good you added that note. His mom was a high school teacher and I think 'The Teacher' is an ode to her.
It's pretty impressive to see these guys still make quality music after all these decades. The way they've managed to evolve and mature their sound while still retaining that Foo Fighters identity, that Foo Fighters feel, is awesome.
This album might be the best album any rock band has made this deep into their career. We're talking nearly 30 years since their debut and they managed to come out with an album that will most likely be revered as a classic and can stand toe to toe with their greatest albums. That just doesn't happen. Look at Green Day with their 30 year anniversary album Father of All and how bad that was. And this is coming from someone whose two favorite bands are Foo Fighters and Green Day.
@@philly_sports1558 So this is a crazy one to mention but Styx's most recent two albums are probably two of their best albums. Just very solid rock albums, played safe of course but very solid anyway
I agree it was soooo artistically amazing and I just lost my best friend (which was my grandfather) as well as I found out my best friend of 20 years has cancer and man my head is just fuzzy
Never thought I’d see you react so positively to a Foos album, but I’m glad it was this one. Easily one of the band’s best albums. RIP Taylor and Virginia.
Really gave me Hurt by Nine Inch Nails vibes. With how sparse and emotional it was in the beginning and how it just pummels you with distortion towards the end of the song. I really think it's one of the Top 10 songs they've ever made.
@@philly_sports1558 Like Fantano said it sounds like you're getting hit by this blinding white light and its the culmination of all the grief the band has had to process over the past year. It is immensely cathartic and such a fitting sendoff to the record
i’m glad you liked it! i also came away really impressed, it struck a chord emotionally while also being a genuinely fun listen. definitely going into my playlist
If I were to rank their albums as a longtime Foos Fan, I'd go: 1. The Colour and the Shape 2. Wasting Light 3. But Here We Are 4. There Is Nothing Left to Lose 5. Echoes, Silence, Patience, & Grace 6. One By One 7. Foo Fighters 8. Concrete and Gold 9. Sonic Highways 10. In Your Honor 11. Medicine at Midnight
I didn't like Rescued at all as a single, but I felt it in the context of the album it was a lot better. I'm glad to see it make it into the favorites!
Seemed like a great passionate and catchy single upon release but i understand the mix confused a lot of people and raised some concern. Definitely a great song and even better with the albums context
@@keyboardking777 That's like saying that fighting game characters are just a collection of buttons that perform actions. Songs on their own can sound one way, but when put within the rest of the songs (and in the case of conceptual albums, the sequence of songs) can make it fit like a puzzle piece, adding 'context' that you most likely won't pick up on when you don't have the sound or vibe of the rest of the album, whether it's the first song or last.
@@keyboardking777 "albums don't have themes or context" has to be one of the most ignorant statements I've ever heard. Like how bad does your media literacy have to be to have that kind of response when consuming any piece of art?
It really is a solid, emotional, straight up rock album. RIP to Taylor and Dave’s Mom. If there was ever a band that could channel tragedy into creativity and turn it into something special and beautiful, it’s the Foo Fighters without a doubt. I hope Dave’s okay, I hope the band’s ok. And I’m so glad this album is getting the proper praise it deserves. 9/10 for me.
it's been years since an album made me stop doing what I'm doing and listening to it and it's lyrics. It's just so well written and done in it's context.
After I heard The Teacher for the first time, somehow I knew the rest of the album was gonna be great. I dare say this might be one of if not their best record. Definitely the best in years.
My favorite will always be There is nothing left to lose. Such a fun and pleasant record, it has plenty of rockers on it but there’s a charm and warmth to that album that they never quite captured again. They weren’t afraid to dial things back and go on feel. Entirely based on solid melodic songwriting. 5 star classic for me.
@@whatupinvaders198 Headwires and Generator are sublime. And Learn to Fly is basically a masterclass in pop-rock songwriting. Stacked Actors is still one of their heaviest songs. I think with One by One they started heading more towards arena rock and while it’s good it’s not my favorite of what they do. I prefer the more power-pop or alternative side of them.
Bro, Dave Grohl is the best. He has managed to stay positive and light hearted even after the passing of Taylor Hawkins and his mother. Not to mention Kurt and Chris as well. What a legend.
Tbf though Fantano really likes self titled and colour and shape obviously well before he started making videos. He also said he underrated Wasting light
This album reminds me of Tonight’s the Night by Neil Young. Just like this album, it deals with the deaths of people they were really close with, and it’s very raw and personal. It’s amazing to hear Foo Fighters continuing to make music after such a devastating loss.
Foo Fighters have been my favorite band since I was 9. I vividly remember listening to The Pretender to pump me up before going to my club soccer games as a kid. The band really means a lot to me, and I'm so happy that they managed to turn a truly awful situation into one of the greatest moments of their career. Almost 30 years into their career, they turned out a better record that most bands will make in their first 10. This album is going to stay with me for a long time.
I can see how you'd think that but The Color And The Shape and Wasting Light are both for sure more than a 6. Interesting you say that after hearing only one full album though.
The final moments of this album are really something powerful. I've been following Foo Fighters for a while, they were basically the first band I was really into (thanks to my dad - they were also my first concert, with him), and I'm really happy to hear them put out an honestly great album again. I hope Dave and his bandmates are doing well. (Also wow the album is so good Anthony couldn't even pick a least favorite track, crazy)
Cool that your Dad got you listening to this. I like to think I got my daughters into some things (music, movies, books, games) that others their age may have missed out on. FF are really the last of a generation of music and thankfully, they are ending it with some class. (Don’t mean to say there’s not great new stuff, it’s just the times have changed).
I’m glad that melon changed his position on Rescued. Even if it’s the more radio friendly anthem and single song for the album, it’s still an emotional banger
Even though the band's career was getting musically very rocky, I thought the Dream Widow album tied to the Studio 666 film was absolutely brilliant - also, that film is very lovely to see beyond its charm because of the fact that you just get to watch Taylor and his buddies run around like little kids spooking each other. I've seen few band's live, but Foo was my first, and I'll never forget the way Taylor struck me. It was Break a Leg, and Taylor had a whole break in the middle of the show where he covered A BUNCH of songs by Yes, Rush and Queen in one big Melody. It was beautiful. The guy owned the crowd that night. Simple as that.
Dude even some of their worse albums when preformed with the passion that Dave plays with live are insanely good, helps they’re mixed INFINITELY better live than the last 4 or so albums have been. They’re without a doubt the band that puts on the best performance I’ve seen live.
@@jacoblytle3549 That's true, you can tell the music all Dave is, has ever, and will be. He's gonna give you everything no matter what. Him grieving through this album is as natural as it would be for him to simply cry.
Damn, this was a surprise from melon. I saw Foo Fighters for the first time in 2022, and it happened to be their final North American show with Taylor Hawkins (this was Innings Fest in Tempe, AZ). Their immense passion for their music, especially from Dave, is hard to quantify until you see them in person. I’m so glad they were able to regroup and put this record together.
Great review and I’m on a second listen and it is sounding like there is nothing left to lose part two. I’m in heaven again. Dave is so intricate in the way he honors others and the music. The teacher gave me a physical reaction and I was at work doing a billion things, still, it made me stop typing, bow my head and hear them out. ❤
“Rescued” is somehow little more than a good Foo Fighters song but ALSO a great album opener. In the context of the album it sounds WAY better and sharper. This is an instant favorite to win Album of the Year. And God help the idiots at the Grammys if it doesn’t take home the award.
I thought this was a great return to form for the Foos while still evolving their sound, the lyricism this time around is Dave's best yet imo. But god they need to get a new producer. I give it an 8
Definitely their best album since Wasting Light. I’ll have to give it time but I think it might be top 3 right there with The Colour And The Shape and Wasting Light.
They're fairly different albums musically but I get a similar vibe from this album as I did Nightmare by Avenged Sevenfold. Both bands were able to harness and channel their grief over the loss of a key band member into their work, breathing new life into bands that were becoming stale and producing their best work in years. I think solely from a technical and musical perspective I prefer But Here We Are but emotionally Nightmare hit particularly hard for me as I was a big A7X fan when I was younger and Fiction literally made me tear up. Great work as always Fantony 💪
I find it interesting how the A7X and Foo Fighters album came out on the same day and got polar opposite receptions lol. Personally I like both albums though Foo Fighter's album is definitely the better out of the two. Those emotional beats hit so well throughout the album!
I think it is a very beautiful and meaningful album. If you have ever lost anyone close in your life, it may be even more meanful to you. It's a brilliant album.
I haven't liked a single album since Wasting Light, with the exception of the EP Saint Cecilia. The Foos Rocking out on Monkey Wrench with their new drummer made me remember how good they used to be.
I guess it isn't too surprising that Dave is capable of the same successful blend of painful introspection and artistry as Cobain, having spent many early years around him. They all knew that assignment, its sad that Dave had to deal with so much loss in a year, but hopefully what he has done here has helped him and will help others.
Fair review/rating. Very solid record, with no real misses. That closing couple of tracks is something else! The transition between the two hits like a truck
I really loved this album and it's one of my favorite albums of all time my only criticism is the ending to "The Teacher" it could have been smoother in the exit. Otherwise, high 8 to mid 9. Regardless after reading Dave's book and listening to their music more than any other band or artist I can say that you can see and hear Dave's growth as first with Kurt Cobain he took himself away from nirvana and music from the death. With Taylor Hawkins and Virginia Grohl he's learned to embrace the music and use it as a tool to mourn, remember, and celebrate their lives and what was.
First time listening to this album, it took me up until the last 2 songs before I started crying. Now I can’t listen to ANY song on this album without crying
This is their best album in years, the guitars hit you like a punch to the jaw, especially in Rest. I ain't no enthusiast of those really distorted and bass boosted shoegazy guitars buuut i'm starting to dig it a bit. The glass, Hearing voices, Rescued, Rest and Under You were the ones who stood out to me. Solid 8 BTW, Dave is a real hero, he's been through sooo much and he still keeps on going. So much loss and he still can keep a genuine smile, i love him so much
I had the album on repeat all weekend so I could really listen and experience each track. The emotion is very real and evident. The Glass is probably my favorite track personally but in my many listens I didn't ever feel there was a "skip me" track. All very good and all bring levels of emotion. Definitely a few that hit pretty close to home and got me emotional as well.
Didn’t expect this album to hit this hard for whatever reason, def had to not tear up at work… I think songs about grief can really work while being kinda non-specific; ‘Someone Great’ is a song that I can’t even listen to anymore and it’s not even about death necessarily. Simple to say but it just makes it easy to relate to
Enjoyed this review, I agree with everything you've said. Only thing that annoys me about the album is some of the vocal tuning, compression & layering sounds excessive.
I actually thought the last few Foos album were recorded like hot garbage, way too thin and overly compressed. Barely any bass for many of the tracks. This album sounds much better to my ears. A lot of heavy distortion but the spectrum of frequencies sounds better. It sounds crispy and lively, like bacon sizzling. Punchy but the bass is still there.
Having lost my father to COVID, and being a lifelong follower of the Foo Fighters, this album struck me, it moved me as no other of their albums have. The lyrical side of this record captures loss with both sobriety and desperation; its tone is consistent, grounded and heartbreaking. I am deeply thankful to Dave Grohl for having made these songs, because I am far from being able to imagine how difficult it must have been to write and perform them from a place a grief. Thank you, Foo Fighters. Rest in peace Taylor Hawkins and Virginia Grohl.
because the production and mixing is too overcompressed. if anything its the only big criticism most people have about the album, and its the only thing holding it back from being a 10
I still like Concrete & Gold a lot, the worst thing I can say about it is it loses a little bit of momentum with some of the moodier tracks in the middle (Dirty Water, Arrows). But the first half is extremely solid and it never really dips much quality-wise. Still, this one is a pretty obvious high point.
Great album, took me by surprise. I want more slowcore from Dave like on the last track "Rest". Unfortunately for Beach Fossils, this project came out the same day as their new album "Bunny" which is actually the best Beach Fossils album yet I think. It's unfortunate because even for me as a huge Beach Fossils fan, "But Here We Are" has gotten perhaps more listens from me this past week. Please still review "Bunny" when you get the chance as it's a great listen!
This is an album that would have been perfectly fine existing as a passion project dedicated to Taylor and Virginia but the fact it gave us some of the best Foos tracks in over a decade is tragic and beautiful all at once
Awesome review, Anthony. I remember have a ipod shuffle back in the day, and I asked my uncle to put some songs on it for me. Well, some of the songs I asked for weren't on iTunes, so he just threw some of his own stuff on there for me to listen to. Some of that happened to be the foo fighters biggest singles. I liked it at the time but never went back to their stuff. Well, after all these years, I'm glad I gave them a chance and listened to this new album because it was a super good listen. Plus , this track list is just filled with alt rock bangers. Easy 7/10 imo
😡😡 Hey now, I fuckn loved the Dee Gees album. All of the tracks are great covers, of some of the most amazing bands. "Wasting Light" was truly a beautifuly put together album hands down, I felt like they'd finally reached that mature part in a band where they just dont care what anyone has to say anymore, you know? I dont even have words to explain it, that album helped me through a point in my life that was extremely dark, it will always hold a certain place in my heart ya know that's just me though....
I knew this album for two and a half days before I was dealt some devastating news that a good friend I had not seen for a while passed away. I can’t stop playing this album, it’s dangerous but brilliant.
Anthony I think I was the first person to ask you to review Sault a while back. Now I would really like it if you could review Goose. These guys are killing it they have released a couple of studio projects the latest being Dripfield. But they tour pretty much all the time and release all their shows on bandcamp as well as releasing quite a few live shows on the larger steaming platforms I really think these guys deserve to be recognized by you. As you are such an on line presence. I know also that they are a jamband however they write really good songs that stay with you. They also have an acoustic three piece version of the band called Orebolo that they developed during the pandemic lockdown. Please check them out I’m a big fan of yours.
