Foo Fighters
The Colour And The Shape
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Foo Fighters
The Colour And The Shape
Capitol, 1997
RiYL: Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, Cheap Trick |
First, he was the drummer for Nirvana. Then, he recorded one of the decade's best debuts as frontman of the Foo Fighters. Most anything would pale in comparison to these two acts.
But even with this in mind, the Foo Fighters' second effort, The Colour And The Shape, still comes up way short. Simply, there is nothing on the album that measures up to the electricity of songs such as "This Is A Call" or "I'll Stick Around" from the band's debut.
The album is plagued with a myriad of problems, from over-production to pretentious lyrics. For starters, the drums aren't loud enough. Grohl is one of the best drummers in rock -- ever. On Nirvana's albums and the Foo Fighters' debut, his drumming drove songs. Here, the drumming is often lost in the mix.
"Enough Space" is a song with distortion-drenched dirge guitar and belted lyrics -- the makings of a great Nirvana-like rock song. But the drums get muddled with all the other instruments, leaving the song out of control.
Grohl at least had the good sense to re-record most of former drummer William Goldsmith's tracks. The original set-up was to have Goldsmith drum and Grohl sing and play guitar. But that would be have been like limiting Jimi Hendrix to playing bass in a band with Bob Dylan on guitar.
The album's other major problem is the songs -- most of them just aren't very good and are just devoid of hooks. Songs such as "Everlong" have driving rhythms and Grohl's trademark screams, but they don't go anywhere. Ballads such as "See You" and "Walking After You" just drag on to lifeless endings.
Occasionally, the Foo Fighters show signs of their former brilliance. The album's first single, "Monkey Wrench,'' comes closest to recapturing the debut's spark. Shimmering harmonies reveal a great pop hook under a driving rhythm and rocking guitars.
"My Poor Brain" is another perfect example of Grohl's mastery of the dynamics between loud and soft. The song begins with a swanky rhythm before a raucous chorus pummels the tranquility. But even these songs would be lesser-lights on the Foo Fighters' debut.
The real problem with The Colour And The Shape might be the genre in which it's working. Alternative rock could well be on its last legs. Most of the band's peers have either broken-up or gone into new, decidedly non-alternative rock directions. The Foo Fighters might be the last of a dying breed. And if the band can't do any better than The Colour And The Shape, its picture doesn't look very bright.
PATRICK KASTNER | Affectionately known as Cousin Patty (yes, it's a "Throw Momma From The Train" reference), Patrick Kastner is a designer for the Columbus Post-Dispatch.