Customer Reviews

One By One

5 star:		(155)
4 star:		(94)
3 star:		(20)
2 star:		(25)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

If anyone ever comes up to you and says that the Foo Fighters' newest album, One By One, rocks, slap them and say, "That's an understatement you heathen." To say the this cd rocks doesn't do it justice. You would think with extrordinary albums like "The Colour and The Shape" and "There is Nothing Left To Loose" that it couldn't get any better. You're thinking wrong. As soon as you pop in 1X1 you're blown out of your mind. Listening to the first song, "All My Life", is like watching the most intense suspense film you can find. The tension builds up in the verses and throws you around like a football at a 49er's game in the chorus. But it doesn't stop there. you might have to sit down to indure the intense guitar face-off in the next track "Low." But all this rocking isn't in vein. They throw in great ballads like the soothing "Tired of You" and the harmonious "Lonely as You" that takes a turn from a warm ballad to a loud screaming power tune. One of the highlights of this cd is the exit track. It starts with a Bush-esque guitar riff then takes you into a fullfledged Foo melody. Then when you think the song is over it comes back, then back again, better each time. The cd is a beautiful mix of drummer Taylor Hawkin's vibrant and vigorous drums, bassist Nate Mendel's fulfilling and tentalizing bass, guitarists Chris Shiflett and Dave Grohl's evocative and zealous guitars, that blend perfectly with Grohl's at times soothing voice and at other times his powerful screaming that doens't take it to far and doesn't let him off as a sissy screamer. One By One may be the best album of the year. In an interview drummer Hawkins said, "We're not trying to save rock 'n' roll. We're leaving that to Scott Weiland." When you don't try is when you accidently succeed in something you're not trying to do. 9.5/10 Highlights: "All My Life" "Lonely As You" "Tired of You" "Disenchanted Lullabye" "Comeback"

Now that the Foo Fighters line-up has stabilized as a nice equitable four-piece, this album presents a real group effort and is not just the work of Dave Grohl, although he has always been a strong songwriter. This is by far the strongest Foo Fighters album simply because it is a collective effort by a strong and stable band. Now that most of post-grunge has become a joke, it's great to see the masters of the form continue to develop their sound in their own way and rise above the imitators. With a combination of the best drama and emotion of grunge, and some more up-to-date elements of metal and mainstream rock, a bold and mature new sound has developed. This album starts out with the incredible "All My Life" which features a truly powerful and moving finale, and most of the rest of the album keeps the magic alive with little difficulty. More winners include the dramatic "Lonely As You," the punishing guitar workout "Low," and the unique drumless "Tired of You." Move over Puddle of Creed, and learn from the masters.

The Foo Fighters are one of the most consistent bands around. Each of their CD's have been remarkably good, and this continues with One by One. The first thing I noticed is that this CD is a lot heavier than Nothing Left to Lose. The band utilizes more electric guitar and distortion, while maintaining the pop-feel that can be found on their last effort. The CD's sound is most on par with their first effort, but the songs themselves are definately reminiscent of their previous work. Each song is very catchy and could easily find their way to radio stations (not that this thought is a good thing). Songs that really stand out include "Times Like These", "Halo", "Have it All" and "Low". Lyrically, it is their best work. On a whole, I would say it probably is a little behind Nothing Left to Lose, which is my favorite album of theirs. If you enjoyed the catchiness of their last album with a heavier tone, you will love One by One. A terrific album that has great replay value. Pick it up as soon as you can, Foo Fighter fan or not.

I guess I was never much of a fan of Nirvana, in spite of having come out of college at about the time that they were at the peak of their fame, so back when Dave Grohl came out with Foo Fighters I was not terribly enticed to check them out. But 'One By One' seems to have come in at a perfect time for me: this year's Grammys presented their track "Times Like These" in a totally different light, alongside jazz piano legend Chick Corea, and that alone struck a chord with me.

'One by One' is a solid production that reminds of Pearl Jam at their best moment (during their album 'Ten'), and quite surpassing their contemporaries from Audioslave. Probably the best thing is that they show a mature sound; they don't continue to limp obsessively within the realm of grunge (or post-grunge, whatever that is): Dave's voice along with a strong guitar, bass and drums works is "music" to my ears! So good to hear such good rock still been produced. It doesn't have one bland moment, which makes it very tough to pick a favorite track.

With pictures of the band members that will remind you of the style of U2's 'Achtung Baby' or Depeche Mode's most recent albums (thanks to A. Corbjin's work), this album is highly recommendad for those who rejoice in good music, regardless of the length of your hair or the size of your musical collection.

Out of the four Foo albums, this is by far the heaviest of the lot. Not reallt heavy metal, it's kinda a mix between grunge, metal, pop and soft rock. Also, the lyrics seem to be a lot deeper this time and interesting and the guitar playing is a bit more advanced than the other albums. The songs are:

1. All my life: The most popular from the album. It starts off with a dark quiet intro, but then bursts out into a heavy song. Some screaming at the end too which makes it sound cool. 10/10

2. Low: I feel this song has to grow on you. It's kinda grungy, with fuzzy guitar riffs. In time you will get to love this song. 10/10

3. Have it all: This is similar to "Low", it also grows on you. Again, sort of like grunge. 9/10

4. Time like these: Another polular track. A bit more softer than the last three, but still catchy and more pop-like. Dave sings very softly until the end, when he starts to yell it out and it gives the song a good ending. 10/10

5. Dissenchanted lullaby: I just never have been able to get into this song. The chorus is highly annoying, with Dave almost screaming, when it is quite a softer song. 6/10

6. Tired of you: By far the darkest song on the album. The song is palm-muted (if you know what I mean) on the guitar, all the way through the song. Again, it's kinda quiet but it can be quite scary to listen to. I like it. 8/10

7. Halo: A bit more catchy, but one of the more mellow tracks. It's pretty soft in the verses but the chorus picks up. 10/10

8. Lonely as you: This song starts off slow, but it soon gets a bit heavier. A lot like "Dissenchanted lullaby" but ten times better. Thjis song is easy to sing along to. 9/10

9. Overdrive: Probabaly the most poppy song on the album. It sounds like it could have been on their 1999 "There is nothing left to lose" album. The solo sounds like a keyboard. A cool, fun pop-rock track. 10/10

10. Burn away: Underrated. One of my favourites of the album. There is just something about the chorus I love. It's sort of like an intersting grunge song, but a bit different. 10/10

11. Come back: Good closer. A 7-minute epic song. It starts off as a heavy electric song, then goes into two acoustics guitars playing two solo riffs, then it goeds back to electric. Great album closer. 10/10

This is the Foo's worst album in my oponion, but I still love it. If you want something like Nirvana, or something a bit heavier than pop-rock try this. Or if you want the foo's other heavy album, get "the colour and the shape". But I think all their albums are great.

I've seen a lot of reviews for this album, and a lot of them have been negative. But nobody seems to give real reasons why. Do they dislike it because they don't like that Foos have picked up more of a hard-rock sound, mostly ditching the pop-rock of "there is nothing left to lose" with the exception of a couple tracks? Or perhaps they didn't like the fact that there weren't any ballads (some say that "Lonely as You" was a ballad, but that's debatable). Or perhaps they don't like the fact that there aren't any bad songs, not counting "Burn Away." But for whatever reason they don't like it... It's a bad reason. Buy this if you have any taste, and if you don't have any taste, go and buy whatever Linkin Park cd is out.

Critics never cease to amaze me. One by One is two things: My favorite FF album and pretty much the only FF album critics pick fights with. I mean, I don't even know what to say about that. Really, just, why? I don't get it. Never have. Why are the other four FF LPs considered pop-Rock masterpieces while One by One is slated as "tired" and "superficial?" I don't believe any of denigration and I WILL plead my case for the album that actually got me into the Foo Fighters...

1) All My Life - Everybody says that One by One lacks a big time anthem such as `Everlong,' `Learn to Fly' or `Best of You.' Well, wrong. My favorite FF song ever, and that's saying something. Easily 10/10

2) Low - Few songs exemplify the Foo Fighter sound as this does, unique melody, very impressive guitars and haunting, dark, infatuating lyrics. A duo of 10/10s right of the bat and everyone still says the album lacks a heavy hitter. Speechless.

3) Have It All - Tough act to follow and lead into (`Times Like These') so # 3 is oft written off as filler and skipped. Bad move as the song matches most anything off '05s In Your Honor. 8/10

4) Times Like These - An overplayed anthem that easily matches `Learn To Fly' and `My Hero' in the quality department, this rounds out one of the best 1-4 combos I've ever heard. 9/10

5) Disenchanted Lullaby - Another one that suffers from filler allegations, it's not as good as the first four but still very effective. Dave Grohl's voice soars on the chorus. 8/10

6) Tired of You - A dark, introverted ballad of sorts that I did not care for at first, but like most good FF songs do, it grew on me with time and repeated listens. Another unique that does not lose its impact with repetition. 7/10 (and climbing!).

7) Halo - "God only knows!" That's what the Foo Fighters think/say when they see the lashing One by One takes from critics. This track in particular is no opus, but is it any less quality than `Enough Space' and `Aurora' off previous albums? No. 7/10

8) Lonely as You - Here's a diamond in the ruff that I prefer to the soft rock during the last half of TINLTL. Dark though: "Down and Out again...One more time for the last time." 8/10

9) Overdrive - The peppiest and most jocular moment on the album, I like it because it's at ease with the dark, reclusive songs around it. 7/10

10) Burn Away - This the closest One by One comes to throw away range...actually it kinda is, but all FF album has at least one filler track (`Walking After You,' `Ain`t It The Life'). So I forgive. 5/10

11) Come Back - I love this song. It's drawn out but for a reason, the structure of the song fits with the lyrics, dipping into and acoustic solo in the middle then it "comes back" for a finale. Ending the album the way it began - with a 10/10.

I have come to the conclusion that I must be ignorant of some great flaw inside One by One because I think it's the best work of the Foo Fighter's career. It's well-rounded, consistent, lively, powerful, thematic (many songs are introverted, dark) and above all just plain enjoyable after repeated listens. So put down your Rolling Stone and pick up this underrated masterpiece.

Dave Grohl and company have finally released their much-anticipated follow-up to their 1999's There's Nothing Left To Lose. Grohl, the ex-Nirvana drummer, has proven once again that his talents extend beyond the cymbals and drums he sat behind. After lending his skills to Tenacious D and the Queens of the Stone Age, he has returned to front one of the greatest bands in rock and roll today.

Today's rock music has pretty much been massacred. I'm not saying that everything is bad, but rock music has gotten to the point where everything sounds the same. New bands, wanting to hit it big, come out all following the same formula to make music like the successors before them. Most bands are either trying to sound like Pearl Jam/Creed or The Strokes/The Hives. Nothing is original anymore.

This all changes with the Foo Fighter's fourth studio album One by One. This album delves into territory that had been previously unexplored. Much texture is added to the songs with the addition of guitarist Chris Shifflett, and Grohl gives a breath-taking performance on vocals and lyrics. The CD is too phenomenal not to take a closer look at the tracks.

1. All My Life - The perfect opening track and first single as Grohl starts off with a simple, choppy guitar riff followed by his soft, distinct voice. The song then ignites as the rest of the band joins in to create a classic arena rocking masterpiece.

2. Low - Taylor Hawkins tears it up on drums with this dark, and gloomy metal-influence piece.

3. Have It All - Nate Mendel's bass prowess shines through this traditional Foo's style as Grohl's amazing voice draws you into the chorus.

4. Times Likes These - U2 influence guitar riff and Grohl's favorite song to write on the album.

5. Disenchanted Lullaby - Soft, beautiful ballad transforms into a monster-heavy ballad.

6. Tired of You - Queen quitarist Brian May's lends his guitar work on this astonishing and breathtaking song.

7. Halo - Popish song that is simply amazing.

8. Lonely As You - (tear)
9-10. Overdrive/Burn Away - (just listen to them)

11. Come Back - A guitar epic close to eight minutes long. Distorted guitar to feedback to acoustic jam to faint electric guitar solo and back to overdriven power chords.

So my opinion on this CD, it's awesome!!!!

I was a little surprised when I heard this album when it was first released. Following the band's evolution from its Nirvana-like rock debut (the first FF record), then to the more evolved-but-still-hard-hitting "The Colour and the Shape," and then finally to the diversified "There is Nothing Left to Lose," I thought "One by One" was sort of a return to the hard rock roots of the band's earlier career. This isn't to say the album isn't fantastic, as Dave Grohl finds new ways to outdo himself. "All My Life" is an appropriate and over-the-top rock anthem, quite suitable for Nirvana-esque head-banging goodness. "Have It All" is also another hard rock gem, and "Disenchanted Lullabies" is simply an awesome song. My two very favorite tracks on the CD are "Lonely As You," with its amazing verse and chorus harmonies (how does Grohl think up these vocals?) and steady overdriven guitar power; and "Come Back," another in a series of powerful Foo Fighters ending tracks, like "MIA" on "TINLTL" and "New Way Home" on "TCATS." The main song riff, in addition to its fantastic chorus, its soft, build-up middle portion, and its earth-shattering conclusion definitely make this a high-ranking FF album.
Oh yeah, and the DVD material is pretty good. Included is the video for "All My Life," the song and video for "One By One" (a track recorded for the movie "Orange County"), and some behind-the-scenes photos and videos. Great stuff. Get this record.

I was never a Nirvana fan (as they and the whole grunge movement snuffed out my '80s metal and melodic rock favs), but I have always enjoyed the Foo Fighters. While some considered their last album a bit soft, I still found it a fantastic album. That being said, I did have to wonder how rocking future efforts by this band would be at the time. Often, when bands start to get soft they will continue along that path. Suffice it to say, that did not happen with the Foo Fighters on this exceptional album.

From the opening riff of the first track and single "All My Life", you can tell that this is going to be a rocking ride. The pace does not let up at all with "Low" and "Have It All". Then comes the mid-tempo but still-rocking track "Times Like These"--the second single. I agree with reviewers who state that this track should become a classic. "Disechanted Lullaby" picks up the heavier pace again before the only true slow track of the album.

"Tired Of You" is what I would call the one ballad on the album. Great track that is still not as slow as a couple of tracks on the previous album. "Halo", a mid-tempo track, then follows before the Foos totally rock out on "Lonely As You". "Overdrive" is a kind of mid-temp track again before the rocker "Burn Away" and epic, rocking anthem "Come Back"--a phenominal track that just builds and builds to an amazing cresendo to close out this remarkable album. The DVD included is also a nice add-on to an already-great collection.

The first time I listened to this album, I marvelled at its "live" feel and sonic quality. To this day, the album still blows me away. For a modern rock album, it just doesn't get much better than this.

The naysayers to this album, in my estimation, have one of two issues: (1) They hate any music that sounds remotely mainstream, and/or (2) they actually believe that Nirvana and Kurt Cobain were the pinacle of rock music history, the best there ever was or will be. For rock music fans like me, who enjoy various rock music from a good four decades, this one is a high quality entry for the decade we are in. Highly recommended.