The Foo Fighters Whip Up Something Special

Oh, the stories Dave Grohl could tell of the rock and roll life. To say he's gifted is a textbook understatement. Genius is a better moniker. We little people have to wait until November 10th to sample the new Foo Fighters "Sonic Highways" album in its entirety. "Something From Nothing" represents top quality appetizer material. For reasons that baffle me I continue to be astounded by the level of excellence Dave and friends aspire to. Why am I surprised twenty years on? Anytime they strap on their guitars for the moment's flights of fancy there's no telling where they're going to choose to land. With "Everlong" frantic controlled the console. "My Hero" allowed the guitar to dissolve in rivulets. Dave owned "Best of You". Foo Fighters have maintained a rep as one of the few bands I can rattle off the top of my head that have never failed to throw together art that isn't merely comprised of one juicy guitar chord that they beat into the ground, the justification being the music listening public will snatch up any morsel they deign to toss out. At your leisure explore the high points of their discography. Every one of their rock chart smashes is a unique entity in and of itself. "Something From Nothing" splits the inspiration three ways. The first portion of the song allows Chris Shiflett, Pat Smear, and Nate Mendel to flex their considerable guitar muscle. You're given an excellent weave effect between lead guitar, rhythm guitar and bass. You know the stitching's stellar when you can't trace any sign of the seams. Later on there's an honest to God funk groove tossed in. The last frames zero in on diabolical hard rocking chutzpah complete with the ever present golden age of heavy metal solo showoff work. When exactly did Dave roll out of bed and say to himself, "I think I'll compose a three-in-one opus today." While many of us are boarding the coffee achiever train Dave's doing the music equivalent of walking on water. It must be nice to have the tap flowing constantly. Idea after idea comes pouring out of his melon. He's always been white hot intense. That snarl in his voice is unmistakable. "Best of You" displayed it to its maximum glory. Don't let it be said he's a one-trick pony in that area. "Long Road To Ruin" was his oil and canvas mind melt. There were purposeful motions writ large everywhere you turned. "Something From Nothing" reintroduces us to Dave's fury complement to his band's sound. Rest assured both signify plenty. Dave likens himself to a cold match wanting flame. You'd best be on guard giving fire to a pyromaniac of passion of Dave's caliber. Keeping up with his mind's contours requires at the least a slight drop of joe and at the most PowerBars in mass quantities. Slow burn doesn't begin to dawn on him. Get him warmed up and his exhilarating intensity does the rest. For you existentialists Dave reaffirms how we all came from what came before. Be honest with yourselves. You come to the Foo Fighters door to be rocked off your ass, not to probe the universe's infinite mysteries. If so you'll leave this banquet table fully salivated and eager for seconds, and probably thirds. "Something From Nothing" exemplifies everything that's exceedingly wonderful about The Foo Fighters presence on a rock stage or in a studio. Let the giddy squeals commence. Saint Dave smiles upon us all.