Foo Fighters Knock Out a Sinfully Good Track

Dave Grohl could just phone it in at this juncture of his career...but no, that's not the Foo Fighters way as demonstrated on the new "Saint Cecilia". Everything that makes Dave Grohl a top drawer vocalist and his band an unbelievably prolific juggernaut is on full display. Dave storms out of the gate, guns blazing. Chris Shiflett uncorks amazing guitar riffs wherever you turn. Taylor Hawkins continues to demonstrate why he's one of the contemporary rock scenes greatest drum beaters. This chorus gives you your buck's worth with change to spare. What the Foo Fighters excel at spans the gamut from their clever videos ("Learning To Fly" anyone?) to the knack for giving the masses a little body to lean into instead of a mere snack long on empty calories. I was taken in by the late game chord switcheroo which was planted at a time when most band would be content to glide into home on the strength of the time honored fade out. Dave loves you. He wants you to leave his concerts satisfied. To do that you'd have to come to represent with a killer discography. The search for the smoking gun ends here. If there is any sign of slowdown in the band I haven't seen cracks in the firmament show as yet. The advantage some rock bands have like, say, Aerosmith, is their fans know what kind of album to expect. The Foos don't come anywhere near playing that exploitative game. All you know is whatever package the outfit brings to your doorstep it's going to be all in, or not in at all. Dave eases up on his fork tines shoved in the eye sockets screeching he's brought on some cuts. Nice of you to do so Dave. Leave the Cookie Monster slanted vocals for the dudes in metalcore. Dave isn't a pompous showman begging you to like him. When he wants to he can come off like a seasoned conversationalist who's singing rather than engaging you in one of the issues of the day. You know when certain all-star groups hit their stride and then settle into that comfortable niche. Sports fans, specifically those of the NBA stripe recognize that the chemistry the San Antonio Spurs was whipped into fever hysteria through years of learning how to mesh. In his late 30s, Social Security check age in this field, Tim Duncan still commands respect. 21 years after Dave emerged from Nirvana's ashes to form this little 'ol side project, The Foo Fighters have gotten stronger, as if that's possible. To this day I'm floored by "Wasting Light". "Saint Cecilia" adds one more heavenly link to Foo Fighters deeply entrenched musical legacy. They're on my short list of bands that get me stoked just thinking about what they'll cook up next.