- Release date:
- September 25, 2007
- Artist/Band name:
- Foo Fighters
- Record label:
- RCA
- Official Web Site:
- http://www.foofighters.com/
Why you should care: Remember the band’s breakout semi-ballad “Everlong”? That tone, a mix of bombast, emotional candor and quiet-loud-quiet dynamics is present throughout “Echoes.” Grohl seems to be weathering a break-up—the usually upbeat frontman spends the record wondering, “Why did you have to go and let it die?” (from “Let It Die”) and finding himself “sterilized with alcohol…unable to feel anymore” (“Come Alive”). Although bits of punk and grunge abound, there are serious amounts of acoustic guitar and piano working their way throughout the album’s second half, highlighted by the awesomely gorgeous “Statues.”
Verdict: A pretty Foos album? Save for the single (“The Pretender”), this album has more in common musically and lyrically with the emo bands Grohl appears to mock on “Cheer Up, Boys (Your Make-Up Is Running).” And that’s OK—even in their softer moments, the Foos make their arena rock attack heartfelt.
X-Factor: The Foos’ guitar-pickin’ instrumental “Ballad of Beaconsfield Miners” was inspired by Tasmanian miners who were trapped underground for weeks and, while waiting to be dug out, requested an iPod with Foo Fighters music on it.
Please log in to comment