Getting better and better

The first, self-titled album from the Foo Fighters would probably get a 4 out of 5 from me, which is pretty impressive for a debut album. Fortunately, these guys just get better and better as time goes on. "One By One," their fourth album, is easily their best work yet. Storming out of the gates with "All My Life," this album doesn't get stale or boring and never wears out its welcome. The songs vary a little in tempo, with some out-and-out rockers and some more sad, introspective-type numbers, but all of it is quality hard/alternative rock. This is one of those records that I'll listen to a bunch of times in a row, then kind of ignore it for a few months before pulling it back out and getting obsessed with it again. I don't think I'll ever get sick of "One By One," and I don't think you will, either.

GOOD...

The great Dave Grohl, is one of those musicians I came to associate with, growing up during that grunge-era, Nirvana golden years. For me, the perfect combination of his and Kurt's voice, his musicianship, even attitude clearly defined what was Nirvana. Learning to Fly, was excellent plus the funny video, which was like FF's signature, just watch Low. I find Walking After You, amazing and who could forget that poignant video. True, this album have gems, the explosive, All My Life, cool, Times Like This, and the unexpected, Come Back(which is very long....). The rest were totally generic ones (or fillers, so they say).Still, there's the voice, the musicianship and the attitude, that makes Dave Grohl, one of the best if not the best mucian there is.

Another winner from The Foo Fighters.

"One by One" has all the gloss and stadium-sized sound as its predecessor, "There Is Nothing Left To Lose", but the volume is cranked back up this time around. Unfortunately, the hooks, as a whole, are the least engaging of any Foo Fighters album. But there's still plenty to love.



You've probably heard "All My Life"; an intense, kick in the balls type rock song with an incredibly catchy chorus that won't get stuck out of your head.



The violent, metal-like riffs of "Low" shouldn't come as a surprise (Dave Grohl is a big metal fan), but they do. Killer song, though. They actually thought this was a marketable single?



The euphoric pop of "Have It All" has an almost 80's new wave feel (sort of), and the shimmering "Times Like These" is probably their most anthematic song to date. It was the obvious standout (in terms of hit potential) on the album back when it was released in 2002.



It slows down a bit in the middle. "Halo" and "Disenchanted Lullaby" are standard soft/loud type rockers. They're good, but not as engaging as songs like "My Hero" and "I'll Stick Around" were.



"Lonely As You", however, works the formula perfectly.



And "Tired Of You" (which I believe features Brian May of Queen) is a really slow, stripped down song. It's a decent tune, but there's no real hook to be found..and it overstays its welcome a bit.



The last three songs are definite highlights, though. "Overdrive" is a shiny, melodic rocker; a great driving song. The crunchy, distorted anthem "Burn Away" and the epic, tempo-shifting "Come Back" (the longest Foo Fighters song to date) are terrific as well.



"One By One" doesn't break a whole lot of new ground, nor is it as thoroughly catchy as past efforts, but it's still an excellent rock album in a time where excellent rock albums are solely needed.



Best Songs: Come Back, All My Life, Times Like These, Lonely As You, Have It All.