- Label
- RCA
- Release date
- 24th September 2007
- Genre
- Rock
Dave Grohl and co finally reveal what they are: a classic stadium rock band
Over the course of 12 years and five albums, the Foo Fighters have become the arena rock giants Dave Grohl’s former band Nirvana dreaded turning into. While Kurt Cobain and co agonised over forsaking their punk rock ethos, Grohl and the Foos seemed utterly comfortable being the highlight of the recent Live Earth concert at Wembley. And after their two easily forgotten previous albums, Echoes… sees the band at ease in their stadium-filling skin and releasing a collection of rock songs primed for such fist-pumping environments.
Thus we get 12 tracks of brutal guitars and screamed choruses alongside more wistful acoustic interludes. Grohl is getting ever better at melody too, and has mastered the art of the quiet build-up before the explosive climax – best seen on the pulsating The Pretender and the vitriolic Let It Die – the latter lyrically alluding to Kurt and Courtney’s doomed relationship. Ex-Pixies producer Gil Norton brings balls to even the less-heavy tracks, and the glam Long Road To Ruin, country rock of Summer’s End and the stunning McCartney-esque (no, really) Statues are bona fide pop gems. The odd dud aside (Erase/Replace, Cheer Up Boys), this is easily the Foos’ best album yet. Wembley surely awaits once more.
More to try: Metallica: Load Nirvana: Nevermind Pixies: Bossanova
