Dave Grohl is all over the place these days.
The ex-drummer of Nirvana has clearly found his niche as a frontman and guitarist, even though he still drums once in while, like on the Queens of the Stone Age’s new album.
With Nirvana’s new self-titled compilation of old songs, which includes the last song ever recorded by the trio, “You Know You’re Right,” and the litigation which prolonged its release, Grohl has been pretty busy the last year and a half.
Yet he still found time to finish the Foo Fighters’ fourth record “One By One,” which exhibits a newfound coming of age for the group.
Sadly, it’s a died down coming of age that ceases to venture anywhere special or captivate the prestige of previous efforts.
Only two songs really radiate with brilliance, three are still relatively decent, and six remain idle in the background, never managing to complete the eminent record this could have been.
The mesmerizing drumlessness of “Tired of You,” with its oozing guitar effects and Grohl’s undeniably entrancing voice, really distinguishes it from the rest of the album, even though it’s dramatically somber.
The epic album-ending track “Come Back” is equally rewarding to listen to. With a three-minute break of slowly building guitars, drums and haunting vocals, it bursts back into the chorus with, “I will come back,” - a very rewarding end.
But then, there’s still the rest of the album.
The guitar on “Times Like These” deserves mention as the song drives deep with the thoughtful chorus, “It’s times like these you learn to live again.” The same applies for the emotional underline of “Burn Away” and the notable “Overdrive,” which has a nice upbeat opening with fuzzed guitars and a more impressive guitar effect later, which almost makes it sound like a piano. But they still lack the motivation to make them stand out.
The drudging chorus of “Have it All,” the annoying vocals of “Disenchanted Lullaby,” the relatively useless single “All My Life” and the exhausting culmination of “Halo” all push this album below average. Nothing grabs your attention or persuades you to play it again.
Unfortunately, “One By One” only adds a couple highlights to the illustrious career of music’s most recognizable former drummer. The majority of this dreary album is quickly forgotten once played and never craved for again - ever.
