With their newest album, Concrete and Gold, releasing on September 15th, PCB would like to take you through the Foo Fighters’ entire recorded history. We are going to go through the catalogue, album by album, giving you some Foo Fighters history, a take on the albums and a few other tracks from that era that are worth checking out. Follow along and please add your comments below. Today’s the final day and we’re pleased to announce that today’s album is Concrete and Gold.
It’s been another three years between Foo Fighters albums, but wait no more Concrete and Gold is finally here. Originally Dave Grohl announced a Foo Fighters hiatus, then dropped a surprise music video and announced the new album. Does it live up to the hype?
Album by Album : Foo Fighters
We’ve gone through every Foo Fighters album over the past nine days. Each album has 3-5 great songs on them. Even if the rest of the album is just ok, these songs are standout songs that will keep you coming back over and over again. With their ninth outing, it’s near impossible to find even one of these types of tracks.
I’ve listened to the album several times at this point and it’s very plain. There’s nothing that really stands out. A few hooks here and there, but most of the songs build to nothing. They’ll start to go somewhere and just plateau while repeating the same line and chord progression until the end of the song. I’m extremely disappointed and almost wish they would have been on a hiatus.
Greg Kurstin is known for his production of hard rockers like Adele, Sia, and Kelly Clarkson. Seriously though, all of those albums had at least one catchy tune that got stuck in your head, so I can’t really point blame at him for this one.
The first track “T-Shirt” is a slow build and really kicks in, but right as we start jamming it ends. At 1:22 long, it’s the most musically interesting and disappointing track on the album. The music doesn’t even carry into the next song. It feels unsatisfying and left me with blue ears from all the teasing.
“Run” was the uninspired first single of the album. It didn’t grab me. It starts low and slow, which is confusing seeing as “T-Shirt” was building to something nothing. The production is very fuzzy and muddled on this track. Everything sounds muted and equalized. Any time Dave’s vocals are in the background, the guitar or drums are right up front, but here there’s nothing that stands out. After 3 minutes, I’m done with the song, which is only halfway.
The next three songs: “Make it Right,” “The Sky is a Neighborhood,” and “La Dee Da” are the best three on the album, even though “The Sky is a Neighborhood” tries a little too hard. But honestly, it’s like being MVP on a last place team.
“Dirty Water” is utter garbage.
“Arrows” isn’t bad, but like the other three, it’s missing something. I don’t know if it’s in the production or what, but it doesn’t hook you in.
“Happily Ever After (Zero Hour)” is the Foo Fighters’ attempt to be The Beatles. In fact, the band was quoted as saying “[this album is] Motorhead’s version of Sgt. Pepper,” so sticking with that logic, it’s a bit of a mess.
Paul McCartney guest stars on drums for the ever-slow “Sunday Rain.” Another song that starts in a direction and goes nowhere interesting. Rami Jaffee, longtime Foo Fighters keyboard player, gets his first official band member status on this album. At the end of “Sunday Rain” he adds a little keyboard flair that is completely out of place and warrants his immediate demotion.
“The Line,” yet another song that wanders aimlessly for almost 4 minutes hyping up to absolutely nothing.
“Concrete and Gold” is such a somber and slow track that is about as interesting as pouring concrete.
I was really looking forward to this album and was severely let down. A lyric from “Run” echoes my sentiments for this album “in another perfect life…”
Their ninth album doesn’t even earn the gold in the title. This all filler, no killer attempt is Concrete and Copper at best.
Concrete and Gold (2017) is a 4 out of 10 stars!
But wait… oh no, there’s no more…
Thanks for going on this exciting journey, with a disappointing end. If you still aren’t convinced, you can get Concrete and Gold today. Check out the reviews of better Foo Fighters albums below.
Kyle Dodson is covering the entire Foo Fighters catalogue in the run-up to the release of their ninth studio album, Concrete and Gold, on Roswell Records/ RCA Records, September 15, 2017. Follow along:
Album by Album: Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
The Colour and the Shape
There Is Nothing Left to Lose
One by One
In Your Honor
Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
Wasting Light
Sonic Highways
Concrete and Gold
Kyle Dodson is a writer, comedian, Rock Solid Podcast producer, Batman aficionado, facial hair connoisseur, and oxford comma supporter.