Foo Fighters - One By One

MINE

Oh, what to say about Dave Grohl - the Nicest Man In Rock.  He's just so terriffic - the sort of guy you want to invite over for a barbecue and to meet your mates.  And the band - the band that loves my favourite US reality show so much it got itself invited to be the centerpiece of an episode in season 5? (That show is Top Chef and I'm not linking to its website because the latest season hasn't even started here yet and I don't want to know anything about it, lalalalalalala not listening!)

How about the fact that Dave and the band were so moved by the trapped Beaconsfield miners' request to have their music sent down while they were waiting to be dug out in 2006 - he sent them a personal message, then met up with one of the guys at a concert later and put an instrumental track on an album for them.

But when I played One by One the one thing that I really wanted to tell you about the Foo Fighters was that we saw them touring this album!  In 2003, d'you remember Mike and Sandii?  That Big Day Out when YourZ and Mine(self) had just gotten married, and you guys had just moved to Sydney to start your own business, and we used to hang out at our place lots drinking and talking into the early hours.  It was only seven years ago but it's a lifetime away - well, two lifetimes if you count your two gorgeous daughters.  That was a great show, a real rock show.

Grohl for President.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

YOURZ

I'll go one better than Mine - I vote for Dave to be Lord Overseer of the New Rock World (copyright pending so keep ya mitts off!)  He is not only a genuinely nice bloke, but he happens to have a work ethic that would put most of us to shame, having worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry (and I'm not talking about Nirvana, okay?)

Oh sure, that band helped Dave get his start, but it has been his attitude and his ability to write majorly kick arse rock songs that have seen his star rise and shine brighter than the ill-fated Nirvana ever did.  No use speculating either because nothing can change what has unfortunately passed. 

One By One sees Dave and gang continue working on their award-winning formula of anthemic modern rock, with a sound that has spawned thousands of imitators around the world, but none nearly as good or as successful as the magnificent Foo Fighters.  After having gone through a number of personal changes leading up and following the recording of predecessor, There Is Nothing Left To Lose, this album was also the first recorded with the now-stable lineup.

I am sure Grohl himself would be the first to admit the Foo Fighters aren't doing anything new (he has more or less done so in many interviews).  He's such a humble, down-to-earth bloke, it would be totally out of character for him to brag and say Foo Fighters are the best band in the world at what they do.   But I will.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

For more information: http://www.foofighters.com/