Foo Fighters - Concrete and Gold

[RJDG14]

This came out yesterday, and given how much I like their earlier stuff, I'm not impressed, so I thought I'd create a poll to see what others think.

In my opinion, I'd give it only a 2/5 - it has no memorable power chord songs like those found on their earlier work (I'll Stick Around, Everlong, Learn to Fly, Times Like These, even many of their older non-singles) - this is vital in making a memorable rock/alternative album but they haven't done it, the whole think sounds kinda overproduced, and it features Paul McCartney and Justin Timberlake. What I found even more annoying was the 6 month hype that surrounded this release VS the lack of hype before their first album was released, which I also prefer.

[Mojo]

Meh, I'll get around to it. I liked TINLTL and One by One when I was a teenager. When it comes to the stuff after that, Wasting Light was decent but most of it passes me by with little opinion either way now.

[RJDG14]

Originally Posted by Mojo

Meh, I'll get around to it. I liked TINLTL and One by One when I was a teenager. When it comes to the stuff after that, Wasting Light was decent but most of it passes me by with little opinion either way now.

I think the reason why I like One by One so much is because I was two or three when it was released - my parents played it extensively and as a result I liked it since I heard it frequently early on in my life, plus it reminds me of many car journeys I dimly remember from when I was small. If I'd been born 15 years later (2014/15), perhaps I'd really like Concrete and Gold in 2032.

There Is Nothing Left To Lose is a pretty weak album by itself, but it has one amazing song, Learn To Fly, which I think makes it quite a good album as a whole. Their first album is fairly consistently memorable and melodic, even if like One By One its content isn't the most complex of what they've written.

[fanus]

¬¬Foo Fighters-Concrete And Gold [2017]
The Foo Fighters album Concrete And Gold wasn’t really on my raider in terms of anticipating its release. I wouldn’t call myself a foo fighters fan. I know the hit’s “Learn to fly” “Ever long” “The Pretender” “Best of you” it was never a part of my childhood and or teenager years. Actually, I listened to the “colour and shape” when I was 13 but that’s about it. I did however enjoy their single “Run” great induction to the soon to be released album. The drumming tied in with the lead and rhythm guitar is a joy to listen to. Dave’s vocals are especially noteworthy not just his guitar playing. After listening to “T-Shirt” and “Run” a great opening, I was excited to listen to the rest of the album.
As for “Make It Right” and “La Dee Da” well, let’s just say both were Definitely my least favourite on the album, I can’t help but think there is recurring formula of starting off very soft, delicate and then GETTING REALLY LOUD BLASTING MY EAR DRUMS. not really much to say other than I thought they were the weaker song’s in comparison to “Run” and “Sunday Rain” But I will get to that later... I would include “Arrows” for my least favourite however I loved the start/ verses, very entrancing, yet felt the chorus lacked the same satisfaction as the versus. then the end fell flat for me, which is a shame because I loved the tone/rhythm.
Thee Sir Paul McCartney (whom would later play the drums on Sunday rain) /Beatles influence is definitely present on “Happy Ever After”, good song with a change of pace from the rest of the album. Loved the backing vocals, just with the right amount without it sounding overkill. But the fade out at the end of the song felt somewhat out of place. Moving on to the better of the songs “Sunday Rain”, we hear the excellent drumming of Sir Paul McCartney with the addition of Taylor Hawkins [Drummer of Foo Fighters] on lead vocals. My favorite part of not only the song but the whole album is when around the half way point, the song starts to break down then gradually picks up again. My BIGGEST complaint is that the song starts to fade out just when it starts to get good. Would love to hear a 7-minute extended version, I was expecting a Beatles “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” type song, but alas…that didn’t happen. “Dirty Water” is by far the most cohesive song on the album, with a soothing flow and even when it starts to pick up at the half way point, it doesn’t lose any of the initial appeal to the once delicate, comforting track. Now a gritty arrangements of musical nirvana (Not The Band).
The Guitar in “Sky Is A Neighborhood” sounded washed out but that is just an artistic choice that I objectively dislike, as well for “The Line” well, it sounds like every song by a band in the early 2000’s, Seriously! Go and watch a playlist of rock bands in the early 2000’s if you don’t believe me!
“Concrete and Gold” is a song that I felt completely gripped by and never wanted to end, a very atmospheric song that gives you a sense on ambiance, the depth of sounds in this song is very pleasurably to listen to, although it sounds unfinished, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
OVERVIEW;
I enjoyed listening to Concrete and Gold, in fact I’ve downloaded “Run” “Dirty Water” and “Sunday Rain”.
“Arrows” and “La Dee Da” being my least favourite. It’s a solid album, “Run” is Definitely a key component as to why people will be listening to this album.
I’d give it a 6.5/10

[RJDG14]

The outake followup single "Soldier" actually sounds better than pretty much every song on the album, so why didn't they release it as the lead single? Instead it's been dumped onto some charity EP they've contributed to. The section that goes "Under attack... Under attack" puts me in mind of September Gurls by Big Star ("I've been crying... All the time"), albeit in a different key, with the opening sounding across between Learn To Fly and Muse, and maybe some X&Y era Coldplay. If I were to make some changes, I'd alter the production to sound slightly brighter and cleaner (think their Learn To Fly era stuff) but keep the keyboard. Then we'd have a great song, as opposed to a good song.

I think it's a pity that Soldier and Sean are my favourite two Foo Fighters songs from the last couple of years, when neither were released on studio albums - both are on charity EPs.

[JiggleMonster]

Originally Posted by RJDG14

This came out yesterday, and given how much I like their earlier stuff, I'm not impressed, so I thought I'd create a poll to see what others think.

In my opinion, I'd give it only a 2/5 - it has no memorable power chord songs like those found on their earlier work (I'll Stick Around, Everlong, Learn to Fly, Times Like These, even many of their older non-singles) - this is vital in making a memorable rock/alternative album but they haven't done it, the whole think sounds kinda overproduced, and it features Paul McCartney and Justin Timberlake. What I found even more annoying was the 6 month hype that surrounded this release VS the lack of hype before their first album was released, which I also prefer.

Finally getting around listening to it in full. I will vote once I have. The songs I have heard I like. "Run" is excellent. When that single came out I got so excited for this album, but for whatever reason never got around to hearing all of it.

[JiggleMonster]

I honestly couldn't get through the album. I listened to most of the songs I have never heard and they were alright. Part of me not getting through the whole thing might have to do with the pain meds I'm currently on. The tunes only made me more tired.

[TheMint]

At least someone is trying to make a rock record!

[obitrentkenobi]

I love the Foo Fighters, but haven't really loved anything since "Best of You".

[The Batlord]

Originally Posted by Pavloswok

Where is moderator??
It is about advertisement on your website.
Regards.