Lets be honest, no one ever knew what to make of the Foo Fighters. Even today, many people probably still don't. Are they a great hard rock band? Are they a versatile band? Are they a goofy rock band? They are indeed all of the above, but the one this most people over look is that they are a serious and passionate rock band. When the Foo's first emerged in the fall of 1995, they were know as the band made of members of Sunny Day Real Estate and that drummer from Nirvana singing. Yet after their sophomore disc, The Colour and the Shape, a much more sophisticated and louder band came out. Getting Dave Ghrol out of the shadow that once was his famous Grunge trio, yet giving the listeners what they wanted. However, two albums down, no one could still put a finger on these guys. The release of their third disc 1999's There is Nothing Left to Lose, a rather profound statement displaying lose, loneliness and in some cases perseverance, symbolizes a band finally comfortable in their own skin. An awkward paradox and situation to be comfortable or easily adjusting too. The story behind this record is after a label dispute with Capitol Records the band left to sign to RCA. Not only did they lose a record deal...and gain a new one, right before entering a home built recording studio in Virginia, guitarist and founding member Pat Smeer announced he was leaving the band. Yet Ghrol and Co pushed on and hired guitarist Franz Stahl to fill in for Smeer only after the record was finished, what many do not know is that they recorded it as a trio. There is Nothing Left to Lose would boast the singles "Learn to Fly," and "Breakout," yet it were the deeper cuts that led to a better understanding of a misunderstood band. Songs like "Generator," "Next Year," and the closing epic "M.I.A.," would show a side of Ghrol that no one had ever herd, an honest and vulnerable man trying to deal with whatever demons and struggles he had succumbed to. It seems to be the most overlooked in the bands catalogue, yet would pave the way for the self proclaimed "not so loud," disc on In Your Honor. There is Nothing Left to Lose is the Foo Fighters at their all time best, its the most solid accomplishment the band ever released and the last great record of last millennium.Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Underrated Classic - Foo Fighters "There is Nothing Left to Lose"
Lets be honest, no one ever knew what to make of the Foo Fighters. Even today, many people probably still don't. Are they a great hard rock band? Are they a versatile band? Are they a goofy rock band? They are indeed all of the above, but the one this most people over look is that they are a serious and passionate rock band. When the Foo's first emerged in the fall of 1995, they were know as the band made of members of Sunny Day Real Estate and that drummer from Nirvana singing. Yet after their sophomore disc, The Colour and the Shape, a much more sophisticated and louder band came out. Getting Dave Ghrol out of the shadow that once was his famous Grunge trio, yet giving the listeners what they wanted. However, two albums down, no one could still put a finger on these guys. The release of their third disc 1999's There is Nothing Left to Lose, a rather profound statement displaying lose, loneliness and in some cases perseverance, symbolizes a band finally comfortable in their own skin. An awkward paradox and situation to be comfortable or easily adjusting too. The story behind this record is after a label dispute with Capitol Records the band left to sign to RCA. Not only did they lose a record deal...and gain a new one, right before entering a home built recording studio in Virginia, guitarist and founding member Pat Smeer announced he was leaving the band. Yet Ghrol and Co pushed on and hired guitarist Franz Stahl to fill in for Smeer only after the record was finished, what many do not know is that they recorded it as a trio. There is Nothing Left to Lose would boast the singles "Learn to Fly," and "Breakout," yet it were the deeper cuts that led to a better understanding of a misunderstood band. Songs like "Generator," "Next Year," and the closing epic "M.I.A.," would show a side of Ghrol that no one had ever herd, an honest and vulnerable man trying to deal with whatever demons and struggles he had succumbed to. It seems to be the most overlooked in the bands catalogue, yet would pave the way for the self proclaimed "not so loud," disc on In Your Honor. There is Nothing Left to Lose is the Foo Fighters at their all time best, its the most solid accomplishment the band ever released and the last great record of last millennium.