I chose to do the deluxe version specifically to be able to cover the remixed recording as well, plus, why not? With an obscene involvement in 8 nominations, including:
Did you read my Mumford and Sons review a few weeks ago? Then you know that I'm pissed.
Give someone else a shot, or else this better be a damn good album I'm delving into here. It will probably be awesome, I'm just a tad bitter. Afterall, this is an album that Dave wanted to show their roots and get rid of the artificial recording techniques we hear so often today. Analog recording? Ok, ok, I'll give it a rightful shot. Someone remind me in the midst of all of this to watch Back and Forth, the doc on the recording and their career. If you get to the end and I haven't mentioned it, feel free to yell for a re-write.
Here's the link for the full listen on Spotify.
So we start things off with this very open electric guitar sound, almost like there's no amp involvement whatsoever. It builds in layers though, very impressive for a relatively small band on an analog recording actually, but we get back to a more simplified rock sound in a bit. I'll go on record to say this would make a good Guitar Hero song. It's steady and has some really good changes. They kind of recorded every song in this "Live on Letterman" format (you can find them all on YouTube if you look), so here's a look at this song.
- Album of the Year
- Best Rock Performance - "Walk"
- Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance - "White Limo"
- Best Rock Song - "Walk"
- Best Rock Album
- Producer of the Year, Non-Classical: Butch Vig
- Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical: Deadmau5 - "Rope"
- Best Long-Form Music Video - "Foo Fighters: Back and Forth"
Did you read my Mumford and Sons review a few weeks ago? Then you know that I'm pissed.
Give someone else a shot, or else this better be a damn good album I'm delving into here. It will probably be awesome, I'm just a tad bitter. Afterall, this is an album that Dave wanted to show their roots and get rid of the artificial recording techniques we hear so often today. Analog recording? Ok, ok, I'll give it a rightful shot. Someone remind me in the midst of all of this to watch Back and Forth, the doc on the recording and their career. If you get to the end and I haven't mentioned it, feel free to yell for a re-write.
Here's the link for the full listen on Spotify.
So we start things off with this very open electric guitar sound, almost like there's no amp involvement whatsoever. It builds in layers though, very impressive for a relatively small band on an analog recording actually, but we get back to a more simplified rock sound in a bit. I'll go on record to say this would make a good Guitar Hero song. It's steady and has some really good changes. They kind of recorded every song in this "Live on Letterman" format (you can find them all on YouTube if you look), so here's a look at this song.
I actually think I like this song as it ends - the "gathering the ashes" breakdown part before heading back into the chorus. The melody's not awful, and makes for pretty good background music. As far as the video goes, I like the Beatles throwback with a sound that I definitely would not have expected. The one thing I need to hand to Dave Grohl is that he knows how to turn up the energy for an audience. See, I'm putting my bitter-ness aside.
Next up we've got "Rope" which was the first single from this album. It's got some heavy Zepplin influence, which is always nice to hear. In true form of our twisted day, no physical single was released on CD, but a vinyl eventually was. Go figure. This is also the song we'll hear a deadmau5 remix of later. And a note I just came across which is taking me down the Grohl worship scale quickly is that he received the NME "Godlike Genius" award. Why does that award exist?
Next up we've got "Rope" which was the first single from this album. It's got some heavy Zepplin influence, which is always nice to hear. In true form of our twisted day, no physical single was released on CD, but a vinyl eventually was. Go figure. This is also the song we'll hear a deadmau5 remix of later. And a note I just came across which is taking me down the Grohl worship scale quickly is that he received the NME "Godlike Genius" award. Why does that award exist?
The video was shot entirely on VHS, which I only find impressive because the managed to find enough equipment to film and edit with for this format. It's cool from the 90's kid perspective though. To be honest, this is probably one of my more favorites from the album, as it does have an overall throwback feel that I think provided reason for a lot of people to be so enthralled with this album. Also, did you see the white box performance on this year's Grammys? Now it makes sense. Kind of. A little. I still didn't need to see him three times performing.
"Dear Rosemary" was on when I walked into my room at one point in while setting up this review, and I think I was pretty okay with it. The melody is much more accessible, and the guitar at least gives you something to loose yourself in if desired. I guess it's a simpler song with a darker story, though that's not something in my hear I would have expected to hear from this band. It's not until the chorus that I remember who this is, and I'm actually not hating it. This is more of the rock band I was previously looking forward to hearing from.
I read on a message board this whole argument about "White Limo" and its status as a hard rock or metal song, but it's nominated in a category that lumps them together, so who really cares? Isn't Foo meant to be a rock band period, despite the sub-genre? Oh lord, now I'm defending their nomination classifications. Oi. Anywhos, this song definitely starts out on a harder note than the others, pumping up the intensity immediately and swallowing that mic. This has never been something I've loved, mind you. It may be as hard to listen to, for me, as hardcore rap. Here's the video, nonetheless.
"Dear Rosemary" was on when I walked into my room at one point in while setting up this review, and I think I was pretty okay with it. The melody is much more accessible, and the guitar at least gives you something to loose yourself in if desired. I guess it's a simpler song with a darker story, though that's not something in my hear I would have expected to hear from this band. It's not until the chorus that I remember who this is, and I'm actually not hating it. This is more of the rock band I was previously looking forward to hearing from.
I read on a message board this whole argument about "White Limo" and its status as a hard rock or metal song, but it's nominated in a category that lumps them together, so who really cares? Isn't Foo meant to be a rock band period, despite the sub-genre? Oh lord, now I'm defending their nomination classifications. Oi. Anywhos, this song definitely starts out on a harder note than the others, pumping up the intensity immediately and swallowing that mic. This has never been something I've loved, mind you. It may be as hard to listen to, for me, as hardcore rap. Here's the video, nonetheless.
It truly is a tough song to get through, given the rest are easy to understand musically and lyrically. As far as the video goes, I actually didn't know if this was an official video for the band at first, but all signs point to yes. Don't hate me, but I'm not going to take the time to look up the lyrics for this - I'm just not invested enough at this point. This song actually makes me love the rest of the album a lot more.
"Arlandria" was actually a single for those of you in the UK. We haven't gotten it here in the US. It's about the town Grohl grow up in, and includes a lot of melodies from childhood rhymes, which he claims have a great please in rock music. I have to say, after listening to this, he's got a point. It sounds great set to these instruments. The song itself, well, I think it's more about leaving and being more than an ode to the town, but go figure. Here's a live performance:
"Arlandria" was actually a single for those of you in the UK. We haven't gotten it here in the US. It's about the town Grohl grow up in, and includes a lot of melodies from childhood rhymes, which he claims have a great please in rock music. I have to say, after listening to this, he's got a point. It sounds great set to these instruments. The song itself, well, I think it's more about leaving and being more than an ode to the town, but go figure. Here's a live performance:
While it might be more of a song for people from Virginia, I think there's something to me taken away for people breaking out, personally. The melody flows in this awesome, easy way that I think does make for a fun live song, just to jam out to. I may not be a believer in this album quite yet, but I do want to see them live, just once, to experience this energy.
We start off "These Days" in the fashion I have always had in my head for bands like the Foo Fighters - a guitar and a voice, with everything else being added in post-intro. It's lighter and more understandable lyrically. Actually, as the chorus comes in - this is Foo Fighters to me. This is what I was to hear, and what I was expecting when this was described as a lot like their earlier work. I'm actually excited to hear this live. Let's check it out.
We start off "These Days" in the fashion I have always had in my head for bands like the Foo Fighters - a guitar and a voice, with everything else being added in post-intro. It's lighter and more understandable lyrically. Actually, as the chorus comes in - this is Foo Fighters to me. This is what I was to hear, and what I was expecting when this was described as a lot like their earlier work. I'm actually excited to hear this live. Let's check it out.
Ah the cell phone sway, taking over for the lighters we can't bring in anymore. Seriously, all things considered, it's interesting thinking on that audience, this old sound, their attitude of old music and recording, but the new age. This is almost a reflection piece, if the video didn't make that apparently in itself. Watch out, because for as optimistic as you want to be, you'll get pulled down too, but maybe it's sort of true, eventually.
"Back & Forth" gave the title to the documentary, and I think I can hear why. There's talking about the old days of what eh was, but then what he's come to now. Love the lyric "does my heaven burn like hell on you?" and can't wait to use that on someone someday. Again, this is more along the lines of what I was expecting, though in listening, it's hard for me to buy this "analog recording" thing - they must be damn good at it. There is this funny little twist throughout the build to the chorus in his voice - listen and you'll hear what I mean.
There's something old and nice about Dave's voice for "Matter of Time." The notes he's hitting just have a great sound to them. I get what it is though - it's everything we love about pop music, and why some of those songs are so infectious. In this case, it's almost only always for the verses, because the chorus is more rock, and the bridge is more alternative.
"Back & Forth" gave the title to the documentary, and I think I can hear why. There's talking about the old days of what eh was, but then what he's come to now. Love the lyric "does my heaven burn like hell on you?" and can't wait to use that on someone someday. Again, this is more along the lines of what I was expecting, though in listening, it's hard for me to buy this "analog recording" thing - they must be damn good at it. There is this funny little twist throughout the build to the chorus in his voice - listen and you'll hear what I mean.
There's something old and nice about Dave's voice for "Matter of Time." The notes he's hitting just have a great sound to them. I get what it is though - it's everything we love about pop music, and why some of those songs are so infectious. In this case, it's almost only always for the verses, because the chorus is more rock, and the bridge is more alternative.
This is a pretty crude recording from a concert, but it's cool to sort of be within the crowd for the experience. And, despite the recording quality, it's still impressive to me that they perform as well on their album as they do live and vice-versa.
The next one is "Miss the Misery." Love this song lyrically, not enjoying it musically. "Get in don't change your mind let's go," or some form of it, just makes for awesome driving lyrics, and I'm a huge fan there. It's just kind of blah musically, but I can't totally place my finger on it. Check out the live version and let's see if the energy from the performance helps:
The next one is "Miss the Misery." Love this song lyrically, not enjoying it musically. "Get in don't change your mind let's go," or some form of it, just makes for awesome driving lyrics, and I'm a huge fan there. It's just kind of blah musically, but I can't totally place my finger on it. Check out the live version and let's see if the energy from the performance helps:
Yes, the performance helped to make the song better, I think. It still isn't a favorite from this album, but I'll give credit where it's due - it's a good enough song and deserved to make the cut. Unlike Dave's hair, apparently.
"I Should Have Known" slows and depresses things way down compared to the rest of the album, which I guess you need at some point. It can't be up tempo all of the time, though this change was quick. The lyrics of previous numbers have been pretty painful (I mean that in a good way, hush), but this is really just sad.
"I Should Have Known" slows and depresses things way down compared to the rest of the album, which I guess you need at some point. It can't be up tempo all of the time, though this change was quick. The lyrics of previous numbers have been pretty painful (I mean that in a good way, hush), but this is really just sad.
One thing about the live performance though, despite the song being so low, it still has something that draws a crowd in. OKAY I GET IT - he's a good performer.
"Walk" is probably my favorite song off the album, though I doubt that's a surprise. Maybe it's because it's hitting my life at the right time - starting over after the toughness. On the regular album, it's meant to help end the whole thing on a positive note, and it's all about second chances.
"Walk" is probably my favorite song off the album, though I doubt that's a surprise. Maybe it's because it's hitting my life at the right time - starting over after the toughness. On the regular album, it's meant to help end the whole thing on a positive note, and it's all about second chances.
Oooh, right, they've got a sense of humor. Heh, I almost forgot about that. I like the sense of frustration at the start that makes him come out and want to change. "I believe I've waited long enough. Where do I begin?" And in the end, he winds up playing music with this huge smile on his face. The rock essence of the song is great and keeps you wanting to jam along.
"Rope - deadmau5 mix" came as a surprise to me. You don't hear too many things like this, or at least I don't. As it starts, I don't remember the song at all. It's electronic and weird and not what I needed toward the end of this album. I hate using this word for electronic music, but this sounds futuristic and not at all what the song was to begin with. I get a remix, but this is just strange.
The final song on the deluxe album is "Better Off," and by now, I have to hand it to them - they're innovative with sound. I don't think I've heard combinations quite like this album has been able to make. It would be totally cliche to say, though, that we would have been 'better off' without this song though, right? It's just got the feeling of a left-over song that we didn't need to experience in the first place really. But, gotta love the b-sides.
Added to My Playlist:
"Rope - deadmau5 mix" came as a surprise to me. You don't hear too many things like this, or at least I don't. As it starts, I don't remember the song at all. It's electronic and weird and not what I needed toward the end of this album. I hate using this word for electronic music, but this sounds futuristic and not at all what the song was to begin with. I get a remix, but this is just strange.
The final song on the deluxe album is "Better Off," and by now, I have to hand it to them - they're innovative with sound. I don't think I've heard combinations quite like this album has been able to make. It would be totally cliche to say, though, that we would have been 'better off' without this song though, right? It's just got the feeling of a left-over song that we didn't need to experience in the first place really. But, gotta love the b-sides.
Added to My Playlist:
- "Rope"
- "Dear Rosemary"
- "Arlandria"
- "These Days"
- "Walk"
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