It’s hardly surprising that the Foo Fighters have become a band beloved by all. They’ve managed that always difficult task of appealing to fans from every cross section of music and country in the world. They’re so bloody savage that when ever you meet someone who doesn’t like them you’re left with a pity, shame and very obvious feeling of distrust towards the offending comments creator – the non-Foo Fighters fan. Tickets There has never been able to understand this rare breed of human but then again with all the Hitler’s, Gaddafi’s and Pol Pot’s we’ve produced it’s hardly surprising that evil does exist in the world. Fortunately they aren’t numerous enough to matter so the Foo’s love bludgeons on.
First and foremost, the band have produced some of the finest rock songs of the last two decades. How anyone could ever slate anything from The Colour and the Shape, their self-title début, There Is Nothing Left to Lose and One By One is a riddle that will plague philosophers for all the ages to come. Then there’s the videos! How can one band make so many savagely brilliant videos in such a short space of time? When Beavis and Butt-Head return we’re sure the Foo’s will be on regular rotation with respect showed by the little twits. Without going down the Nirvava connection, you have Dave Grohl – easily the most likeable man in the music industry. A man respected and admired by all; peers and fans alike. Not only does the man rule the roost when it comes to drumming but he’s proven himself one hell of an amazing song writer, singer and guitarist spanning everything from grunge to metal to rock to acoustic. He’s done it all and at the end of the day he’s still bowing to the likes of KISS, Motörhead and Kind Diamond. With all this together you can only imagine the excitement when they release a new album and Tickets There has returned just to tell you that they have delivered. Oh and of course let’s not forget to mention that Nirvana producer Butch Vig and former ‘Golden Age’ Foo Fighters guitarist Pat Smear have returned to the fold to help make this a pretty sweet record.
Bridge Burning kicks things off with plenty of riffage, a very restrained chorus but plenty of kick ass catchiness to slap a silly grin all over the puss. Rope, the albums first single falls back to an older Foo’s style that’s been slightly mixed with the In Your Honor grandiose vibe. Excellent song and proof that the Foo’s can pretty much try and accomplish anything they want in life! Dear Rosemary is a decent wee number but White Limo’s follow up has much more to offer. Oozing in screaming vocals, intimidating guitars and snake bite drums, the track is one of the heaviest the Foo Fighters have ever done and could be mistaken from a cut from their first record due to it’s raw, blistering energy. Also Lemmy Kilmister is in the video, can you get any more rock n’ roll than that?
Arlandria is more generic and bloated. There are very rare occasions when Foo Fighter’s choruses edge too close to the world of Nickelback and this is possibly one of them. Nice song that on repeat listens will probably see Tickets There becoming fonder and fonder of it. These Days is similar in structure and not one we’re currently going mad about but nothing offending here. Back & Forth is another momentarily impressive number with moments of excellence but an overall lack of amazo-balls. I’m not 100% sure but I think I hear some Bryan Adams influence in the chorus. C’est la vie. White Limo still rings string in the head so let’s move on.
A Matter of Time again has it’s moments but we’re feeling an overall lag at this point of the album. It’s all too close to what the lads have done before but offering the same quality in song writing and their promise that this is the heaviest album they’ve ever made are looking less and less creditable. Still not awful, still some Foo Fighter gems to make it more than worth your while but not looking like it’ll be remembered with the same esteem as their previous attempts.
Miss The Misery could be the changer though. Bellowing hard rock riffs, their classic dark overtones and a nice feeling to the song. Things are on the up as we reach the second last track, I Should Have Known which features a guest appearance by Dave’s former Nirvana band mate Krist Novoselic on accordion and bass which really kicks through towards the end of the song. Great number mixing different styles of rock and to some extent soul (we’ll explain when we’re sure). Final track Walk is an excellent number. More screaming vocals, belting drums and 100% Foo Fighter heaviness with better hooks than the New York Yankees golden pitchers could amass (saw this documentary about the Yankee’s a while ago…been trying to find out how to use it. Waste not want not).
Well the wait is over, we like it. There’s moment we’ll need to warm up but not too many to ignore completely. The albums strongest moments mostly happen within the first few songs but there are surprises at the end that’ll ensure full plays for a long time. It may not be remembered as their strongest but we’re sure some of these songs will live on happily within the Foo’s live set for a long time to come. If you want to hear for yourself, pop over and listen at the band’s Soundcloud page.
Joe Elliott, iconic frontman of Sheffield legends, Def Leppard, turns 54 today. For the past twenty one years, I have looked on Joe Elliott as the perfect example of how to be a rock star (except frequent exceptions for Monsieur Rose) should be.
'Ticket's There' - Irish and International Music Blog 