Everything about the new Foo Fighters album, "One by One," including the title, reflects an attitude of progression. Movement onward into adulthood is the theme of this album. Dave Grohl and company move in a decidedly more aggressive direction with the release of what some have called their official homage to Nirvana. The rhythmic guitar of Grohl fights furiously with the often undistorted effects of Chris Shiflett.
One must also take into account the fact that Grohl, the creative force behind the band since its creation, spent the last several months drumming for Queens of the Stone Age. This simple fact reflects itself on contemplative tracks like "Low" and "Tired of You." Unnatural chord progressions on these tracks display their movement onward from melodic pop sensibilities. The listener won't find anything along the lines of "Hero," an unquestionably catchy grungy tune.
Of course it's up to the listener to interpret them, but it appears as if Grohl is making a statement about the sustenance of his band. On "Burn Away" Grohl sings, "We'll burn away/We'll burn away, my pride/We'll burn away from all the other flames burning tonight." But on "Come Back," easily the standout track of the album, Grohl, in a determined voice, repeats, "I will come back!"
These kinds of proclamations are coincidentally relevant today. The not-so-sanctimonious legal actions of Kurt Cobain's widow Courtney Love, whom one might say is not capable of the emotion spelled out in her last name, has taken media attention into a rather nasty court battle over the rights of Nirvana songs and away from the Foo Fighters. But even amidst the release of yet another posthumous Nirvana track, Grohl's current band easily stands strong.
"One by One" is definitely a transition album. From the indie sounds of the Queens of the Stone Age, to the reminiscence of Nirvana, and to the Foo Fighter sound fans have become accustomed to, it's an album of various styles. They meld together in a manner which produces the Foo Fighter's best album to date. Perhaps in the future, they will embrace one of these styles, but for now, the combination is a brilliant one.
