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Foo Fighters’ “Foo Fighters” (1995) – Yes, No, or Maybe So
Sunday, March 11th, 2012
Originally posted 2010-04-21 16:19:49.
Foo Fighters’ Foo Fighters (1995) – MAYBE
The Foo Fighters' self-titled debut (1995)
(July 4, 1995)
Review:
- A bit raw and predictable around the edges, but an upbeat debut album with clear rock sensibilities and strong potential for the future (The Colour & the Shape, anyone?) from almost-Heartbreaker Dave Grohl…
Top Two Tracks:
“This is a Call” & “I’ll Stick Around”
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“Hey, Johnny Park!” (Foo Fighters Acoustic Rock Cover Song) – The Laptop Sessions
Sunday, March 11th, 2012
Originally posted 2008-06-21 20:40:35.
By Chris Moore:
Hello and welcome to this weekend edition of the Laptop Sessions video blog! Today’s acoustic cover song is from the Foo Fighters, a band that my fellow songwriter Jeff Copperthite has covered several times before. I’ve only gotten into this music within the past few months, after a faithful YouTube viewer and fan of the Laptop Sessions requested that I cover the Foo Fighters song “Everlong.” I went out to the store, bought the album The Colour and the Shape, and immediately got into it. For those of you who don’t know me, you need to understand that I’m a big fan of well-packaged CD’s, and this was the 10th anniversary remix with a nice, lengthy booklet and a shiny cover. Now, this may have coloured (pun intended) my perception of it, but what I really liked about the album was its overall progression. It begins with an electric guitar and Dave Grohl’s subdued vocals on “Doll,” a song that gradually builds up and suddenly ends after about a minute and a half. The next song, “Monkey Wrench,” is pure energy and rock’n'roll. The album continues to rev up and slow down and vary as it goes. Previously to this, I had only heard their In Your Honor album. I love the concept — one disc of electric songs, one of acoustic music — but I found it unremarkable.
I haven’t quite perfected my version of “Everlong,” but this is another great track from the album to tide you over while I practice that one. “Hey, Johnny Park!” is a title that I have yet to understand — Foo Fighters fans please help by commenting here!! — and it certainly made me stretch my range a bit, but I love the guitar intro/riff and it really translated pretty well as an acoustic cover song, as the other Foo Fighters covers by Jeff did.
Without further ado, here’s your official Saturday Laptop Session — don’t forget to check back tomorrow for another quality Copperthite cover…
See you next session!
Download a FREE mp3 of this song at the Fusco-Moore Store by
Clicking HERE! It’s on “The Laptop Sessions, Vol. 7″:
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The TOP TWENTY ALBUMS of 2011 (The Year-End Awards)
Sunday, February 5th, 2012
By Chris Moore:
It is the best and truest mark of artistry in the music industry, and sales are no indication of significance. Sequencing and thematic continuity, sonic experimentation within a basic set of familiar parameters, a healthy range of types and topics: these are the standards by which to judge an album.
The album.
It ascended into an art form in the mid-sixties under the careful work of artists like the Beatles, Bob Dylan, and the Beach Boys. It was taken to new heights with the experimentation of later bands, from the concept albums of the Moody Blues to the spin-off success of artists like Bruce Springsteen. The album – and rock in general – saw a rebirth in the nineties, with the work of those like Weezer, the Wallflowers, the Barenaked Ladies, and a slew of others who led a surge of excellent rock music.
These days, the album has faced a crossroads. Specifically, with the advent and surge of digital sales, the physical formats of music are on the chopping block. Still, with the rise of vinyl sales even as CD sales continue to decline, there is hope yet. And, contrary to an army of naysayers, there are still excellent albums being made. This year, as with the past several years that I have been tuned into a vast array of albums, I would say there are about five albums that will undoubtedly stand the test of time and compete for top spots when I eventually get around to my Best Albums of All Time list. Which, at this point, might have to wait until I hit retirement.
But, for the moment, you have my Best Albums of 2011 list, and if you’re interested in reading more about any of these albums, you can access my Weekend Review report (including star rating, production info, and a full review) by simply searching the album title and band name in the search bar above. And, of course, if you see reason for disagreement or any gaps in my list, it’s up to you to leave comments below.
1) The Whole Love (Wilco)
2) The King is Dead (The Decemberists)
3) Last Night on Earth (Noah & the Whale)
4) Wasting Light (Foo Fighters)
5) Bad As Me (Tom Waits)
6) Unfortunate Casino (Gerry Beckley)
7) The King of Limbs (Radiohead)
8) Yuck (Yuck)
9) Lasers (Lupe Fiasco)
10) W H O K I L L (The Tune-Yards)
11) The Graduation Ceremony (Joseph Arthur)
12) Vol. 2: High and Inside (The Baseball Project)
13) Collapse Into Now (R.E.M.)
14) Move Like This (The Cars)
15) The Valley (Eisley)
16) Cloud Maintenance (Kevin Hearn)
17) I’m With You (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
18) Alpocalypse (Weird Al Yankovic)
19) No Color (The Dodos)
20) Nighty Night (8in8)
Honorable Mention:
The Way It Was (Parachute)
The Dreamer, The Believer (Common)
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The BEST PACKAGING of 2011 (The Year-End Awards)
Sunday, January 22nd, 2012
By Chris Moore:
Album covers are nice, but there is something transcendent about artists who put their full effort into designing an album package that elevates their work beyond music alone and into the realm of physical art. This year, the award for best album packaging has to go to Sonic Youth member Thurston Moore’s solo release Demolished Thoughts. Though a fairly minimalist black and white design, there are – in addition to lyrics, the presence of which is no longer a foregone conclusion – a slew of drawings and a collection of poetry to complement the music. Tom Waits’ deluxe edition of Bad As Me comes in a close second, the booklet alone being a visual and lyrical experience, and the four bonus tracks providing a little extra for the true fan. Wilco’s deluxe edition design for The Whole Love, another close contender for the top spot, offers four additional tracks (with the wry take on Nick Lowe’s “I Love My Label”) and a beautiful booklet that includes a visually brilliant set of drawings.
Each of these albums is proof positive that there are quality physical releases still being produced, even in what is clearly the age of the digital release. This being said, I couldn’t help but point out two of the many terribly thin and unrewarding packages to see the light of day this year. These are, inversely, reason to stay at home and download.
1) Demolished Thoughts – Thurston Moore
2) Bad As Me (Deluxe Edition) – Tom Waits
3) The Whole Love (Deluxe Edition) – Wilco
4) Ukulele Songs – Eddie Vedder
5) Mine is Yours – Cold War Kids
6) Tripper – Fruit Bats
7) Helplessness Blues – Fleet Foxes
8 ) So Beautiful or So What (Deluxe Limited Edition) – Paul Simon
9) The People’s Key – Bright Eyes
10) Wasting Light – Foo Fighters (includes a piece of the original master tape!)
Honorable Mention:
All Eternals Deck – The Mountain Goats
Worst Packaging:
No Color - Dodos
El Camino – The Black Keys
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Choose Cover Songs from over 100 Bands: Welcome to the Laptop Sessions music video blog! Here, you'll find cover songs, original music, & music reviews updated every weekday! We hope you enjoy the acoustic covers, free mp3s, chords, tabs, and music reviews here on the site! |
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