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Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters (1995)
EMI Group

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Contributed by: Spooky
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on December 12th 2008

What's there to say about Foo Fighters that hasn't already been said? I don't think there's anyone who hasn't heard of this band by now. They've been huge since their 1997 album The Colour and the Shape with singles like "Everlong" and "My Hero," and have been growing in popularity ever since. It's kind of depressing, though, how many people I've heard over the years talk about how Colour was their first album, so here's a little history lesson.

Back in 1994, Dave Grohl released a cassette on his own called Pocketwatch, using the name Late! as his "band." This was really just a sign of things to come, as he recorded the vocals, guitars, bass and drums all on his own. I know a lot of people might recognize the song "Friend of a Friend" from Foo Fighters' In Your Honor, detailing his experience meeting Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic for the first time. Pocketwatch is where the song first appeared.

Anyways, the self-titled "Foo Fighters" 1995 debut wasn't any different. Grohl recorded everything on his own here too, and it sounds amazing to this day. I really don't see why this album isn't more popular. Personally, I think it's their best, but I guess that's just because I listened to it a hell of a lot since it came out in 1995. From the radio-friendly summer single "This Is a Call" to the drifting "Floaty," it's pretty much the perfect album for anyone into alternative and grunge.

Even the music videos were awesome. From the "Mentos" (Footos) parody in "Big Me" to Dave Grohl eating chess pieces and brushing his teeth with a razor in "I'll Stick Around," there's really nothing that wasn't likeable about this debut.

Now, I know a lot of people might bitch and moan about a non-punk album being reviewed on here (gasp!) but who fucking cares? To me, Foo Fighters were, and still are just as important to punk rock as (insert appropriate band here). I know I might get some complaints but I really wish the band wouldn't have strayed from the sound on this album.

Songs like "Weenie Beenie," "X-Static" and "Wattershed" sound perfect, and differ going from fast and heavy, distorted and grainy, to slow and thundering on the drums. Can't leave out the jazzy-to-loud "For All the Cows" either, it's just as good. Now don't get me wrong, I love The Colour and the Shape (what's not to love about songs like "Everlong," "New Way Home," "Doll" and "Hey, Johnny Park!"?). Still, this is where it all began, in 1995 at Robert Lang Studios in Seattle, WA.

In conclusion, Foo Fighters being as huge as they are now, still had a beginning like every other band. Even if people want to get technical and say that "DAVE GROHL RECORDING THE SONGS ALONE DOESN'T COUNT AS FOO FIGHTERS DOUCHE", this album is amazing, and I think people need to know that "DOA" wasn't their first single. (It was "Exhausted.") But wait...does that mean there are more songs other than "Let It Die" and "The Pretender"?!

Yes...yes there are. Class dismissed.

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Dycelot (May 2, 2011)

even though the last three paragraphs are kinda embarrassing............

Dycelot (April 30, 2011)

Great review!

SilentStorms (December 17, 2008)

I agree with this review 100%, except that it was apparently better than the Colour and the Shape. Either way, all you bitchy punks can shut the fuck up. Nirvana and the Foo Fighters were huge in shaping young punks before they were punks, and therefore were the initial outlet of their teenage angst. Score is for the first 2 FF albums.

DarthNader (December 17, 2008)

if all mainstream rock were as good as Foo Fighters the world would be a beautiful place

damnitsderek (December 16, 2008)

Congratulations, you just reminded everyone of that asshole teacher they had in high school who thinks they know everything about anything.

christian (December 16, 2008)

What a terrible review. Score is for the review.

fuckin_ay (December 15, 2008)

you sir are an idiot.

eazyd3 (December 15, 2008)

needs more cowbell. dave grohl is a fuckin douche bag.

xIxKilledxJesusx (December 14, 2008)

score is for the review-- very pretentious and typical of this site

i-type-poorly (December 14, 2008)

Nobody on the planet thinks DOA was the first Foo single. It wasn't even a popular single.

Xote (December 14, 2008)

What's there to say about Foo Fighters that hasn't already been said?

Exactly so why write a review on a site where everybody knows what this band does.

Not that I think the review was bad... it was good, but I just don't see the point of this when theres soooooo many bands that deserve attention that don't get any.

TheMike (December 14, 2008)

This review could have been summed up quite easily like this:

"You're an idiot; this album is good; fuck you".

wentz_equals_death (December 14, 2008)

love the album, but somehow have my feelings hurt after the review

pufferfish (December 14, 2008)

Great album, atrocious review.

CCSummers (December 13, 2008)

If I wanted to be talked to by elitist know it alls, I'd go to class more often

ding_dong (December 13, 2008)

good album, terrible, terrible review. fuck you

CaveatMalefactor (December 12, 2008)

I rocked this in '95 and loved it. It still has a place in my heart. Life without Kurt was difficult. . .

blanktapesemptybottles (December 12, 2008)

is it weird that I only own this and their last record? I have one of the other ones but lost it

clamum (December 12, 2008)

""Good Grief" for the win!"

For sure. The song fucking rocks.

sunnovahgunn (December 12, 2008)

Dave grohl recording the songs alone doesn't count as foo fighters douche

overdefined (December 12, 2008)

I love how this review just yelled at people who might disagree the whole time.

Also, Colour and the Shape is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay better.

spec (December 12, 2008)

what a jackass review.

joeg (December 12, 2008)

The first ever cd I bought in 1995. Still to this day my favorite Foo Fighters record.

givemeamuseumandillfillit (December 12, 2008)

This record is a glorified demo but Nothing Left to Lose is still easily the best record, half of those songs are so damn heavy and just fucking good.

RRK (December 12, 2008)

I don't know what to say. This review is awful.

miniblindbandit (December 12, 2008)

i want that gun

mikexdude (December 12, 2008)

This review is mean :-(

lostandclowned (December 12, 2008)

"Good Grief" for the win!

preston (December 12, 2008)

Man, you're really defensive.

american_666_jesus (December 12, 2008)

This album, Colour and the Shape, and Nothing Left to Lose are definitely their best work.

Stenny (December 12, 2008)

"this is a call" was the first single

I brought "For All The Cows" in for my 5th grade "Free listening" in my music class......... 1995 baby

chrisafi (December 12, 2008)

I agree, bit heavy for a review lol - if such criticism comes up you can reply below, but pre-empting it all so fiercly makes this come across like a sermon

R3vengeTherapy (December 11, 2008)

Love this record...I don't like this review...you're selling a bit too hard, dude, and talking down to your audience is annoying as all hell. I didn't know some of the things you've written here about this band, but you're almost being a dick about it. Also, I don't think anyone is going to bitch about this being reviewed because The Foo Fighters are commonly covered on this site.

Score is for the record.

nonex (December 11, 2008)

Score is for good grief, surprised you didn't mention it.