The feel good band of the millennium has released its 9th album, and they do their catalog, fans and current momentum well, but that about sums it up. This batch of 11 songs is rock solid and rocks hard.
It seems to me like this band takes a half step back with each album release. I never got into their self-titled 1995 release, but The Colour and the Shape had so many good songs on it (“Monkey Wrench,” “Everlong” and “My Hero”), while the back of Henry Rollins’ head album (which is how I reference it … but it is actually called There is Nothing Left to Lose) had the great hit “Learn to Fly” (speaking of, watch this super-fun video of 1,000 musicians covering it together). The amazing One by One had a slew of great tunes that are concert staples for the band (“All My Life,” “Times Like These,” “Low” and “Have it All”), but that was followed up by In Your Honor (which featured “Best of You”) and Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (which had “The Pretender”) and Wasting Light (I can’t remember the last time I played this one). While a specialty project album of sorts (recorded in various cities with guest musicians from each city) in 2014, Sonic Highways had some really cool moments (like “What Did I Do? / God As My Witness” with Gary Clark Jr. from Austin). This one might settle in for one of those letdowns, but only because their high points are so good.
“T-Shirt” starts things off with a little 1’22” introduction piece, which settles into “Run.” It’s Foo Fighters and it’s high energy. “Make It Right” jumps up next and it’s a nose-thumpin’ rocker – complete with a nice and gnarly guitar tone. It might be the kind of song you’d play in your room to annoy those who wanted some peace and quiet. It’s got a fun, nasty and obnoxious guitar tone that’s all rock n’ roll.
“The Sky is a Neighborhood” is another great showcase of Grohl as a lyricist. It hearkens back to the ethereal poetry of “Times Like These” (which referenced creation like “a brand new sky to hang the stars upon tonight”) with lines like:
The sky is a neighborhood, so keep it down…
Mind is a battlefield, all hope is gone.
Trouble to the right and left, whose side you’re on?
The sky is a neighborhood, don’t get lost.
“Happy Ever After” is another stellar song worth noting for its lyrics:
Cracks in the floorboards are deep
From dancing to the sound of candles burning out
Heavy from writing your resignations
Licking bitter envelopes
Blood on your tongue
Drink until the taste is gone
Where is your Shangri la now?
Where is your Shangri la now?
Counting down to zero hour
There ain’t no superheroes now
“Sunday Rain” is very Beatles-like, with its George Harrison guitar tones and Lennon-like vocal phrasing. It’s a rocker like “Revolution.” What’s ironic about this tune is that Paul McCartney himself sat in on this recording, taking over on drums for Taylor Hawkins. It also sounds similar to some of the tunes on the King’s X Dogman album (“Fool You” and “Cigarettes” come to mind).
“La Dee Da” has more of that aggressive guitar that’s all over the album — although this one has that Queens of the Stone Age raunch tone. Very cool with plenty of ‘tude.
It’s interesting that Grohl and band worked with a pop-songwriter (Greg Kurstin) on this material, as it reflects the marriage of pop melodies with rock out sensibilities. Because the band knows how to gel and fit together (even with guest musicians), it’s a cohesive album that fits well into their catalog. I just hope I pull it out and listen to it more often than I do Wasting Light. I think I will. It’s already growing on me after several passes.
—Review by Doug Van Pelt
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