Shortly after the death of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain Drummer, Dave Grohl set work on this solo album. Dave plays all the instruments and provides all the vocals apart from X-Static where Greg Dulli plays additional guitar parts. The album was recorded from 17-23 October '94 and released in 1995 and The Foo Fighters were spawned...
Track By Track:
1. This is a Call: Starts with what sounds like Dave plugging his guitar into his amp shortly followed by some thunderous thrashing of the guitar, sounding much grittier than previous albums. The lyrics aren't very inventive however the chorus is quite catchy and encourages you to sing along. There is some cool drumming which is ideal to headbang to. The drumming is much more involving than the stuff he did with Nirvana IMO and shows his real ability. 4.5/5
2. I'll Stick Around: Starts with a drumroll leading into a simple heavy riff. The drumming and guitar changes during the verses with and interval of overdriving now and again. The chorus itself involves Dave shouting quite mindlessly the words "I don't owe you anything!" Near the end we are finally introduced to the title the song which IMO is the highlight of the song. Not as good as the previous but never the less a decent track. 4/5
3. Big Me: One of my favourites on the album and the only ballad. The lyrics are simple and backed by a simple drumbeat and some loose guitar strumming. Daves voice is soft and harmonious throughout showing that this is a track of beauty not to go unnoticed. 4.5/5
4.Alone + Easy Target: Heavily distorted guitar work introduces the track to be then supported by solid drumming and heavy rythmn guitar. I can't really make out what Dave is saying because of the overpowering guitars but I could take a guess and if correct I wouldn't make much of them. the chorus isn't great and is quite bland not the best on the album. 3.5/5
5. Good Grief: The best on the album with raging guitars and some excellent drumming by Dave managing to keep up the fast tempo up throughout.One of the most punk influenced song on the album, very simple, very safe, very good. The chorus is backed by more overdrive FX and thrashing drumming although I'm not sure on the lyrics (I hate It?). 5/5
6. Floaty: Definately my least favourite on the album. Daves vocals are layered in FX and backed by irritating guitars. However, the chorus is reasonable but does not raise the track sufficiently this is way too chilled out and too annoying to be enjoyed. 2.5/5
7.Weenie Beenie: An instrumental track with the occasional scream from Dave, probally the heaviest on the album. It mainly made up of riffs and fills with a random bit with a NU-Metal feel to it. More headbanging to be done with the decent drumming and gritty guitars. A hard track to concentrate on but much more enjoyable than Floaty. 4/5
8. Oh, George: Don't ask what the title is about because it has no relevance to the lyrics in any way. More distorted guitars and hard solid drumming and a more complex track than any of the previous with its very own guitar solo, even if it is crappy it is something different for this album. Again the vocals are drowned in the guitar FX but still a good song. 4/5
9. For All the Cows: This song is nearly always played at a Foo Fighters concert but I don't know why. Dave sets us off with some simple drumming and country style guitars during the verses but rapidly changes at the chorus with heavy muscular guitars and the drums being played to death, particularly the cybals. Dave’s vocals are better than some of the other tracks but still why is this song always played at concerts? 4/5
10. X-Static: Another brilliant song with twanging guitars and an instantly memorable riff. The vocals suit the song perfectly giving it an eree atmosphere which I quite like. The drums are steady and dominant with the pounding snare setting the tempo nicely. Another simple but good chorus it's just ashame the ending is poor. 5/5
11.Wattershed: Similar to Territorial Pissings by Nirvana driven by a powerful distorted guitar riff and fast drumming. The song is quite repetative and it doesn't sound like Dave's vocals despite the fact it is Dave. There's not much to comment on other than this is heavily punk based. 3.5/5
12. Exhausted: A raw guitar riff and agile drumming keep this track going with suitably tired vocals. This track is rather dark at times seeming covered in depression and woe but it actually leaves me feeling relaxed. After about 3.30 the track loses pace and is kept alive by some strange guitar FX until the track explodes with yet more thrashing of the guitar. A decent end to a decent album. 4.5/5
Conclusion:
Winners: Good drumming throughout.
Some good chorus's.
Raw and Heavy.
Sinners: Some poor vocals.
Too much Distortion FX.
Occasionally repetative.
All in all it shows a promising start to Dave Grohl's post Nirvana
career, it's probally the 2nd best after The Colour and the Shape, but this album is so different to anything recent by The Foo Fighters it is refreshing to hear something new.
