{"id":1169,"date":"2017-09-21T10:00:17","date_gmt":"2017-09-21T10:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/review-foo-fighters-concrete-and-gold\/"},"modified":"2023-02-22T17:37:27","modified_gmt":"2023-02-22T17:37:27","slug":"review-foo-fighters-concrete-and-gold","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/review-foo-fighters-concrete-and-gold\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Foo Fighters – Concrete and Gold"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Like it or not, the Foo Fighters<\/b><\/a> are unquestionably one of the biggest rock bands of the past 20 years. Although their post-millennium output has been patchy; 2011\u2019s \u2018Wasting Light\u2019<\/i> was a beacon of hope in a lacklustre batch of albums. Yet Dave Grohl and company have always somehow stayed relevant. On ‘Concrete and Gold\u2019<\/i>, they look back to move forwards.<\/p>\n

Over the course of nearly an hour, the sextet provide nods to a host of influential names from yesteryear, as they aim to provide a set of raw, large radio rock songs. However, like their weaker records, it doesn\u2019t offer enough standout moments. Nevertheless, \u2019T-Shirt\u2019<\/i> sets the tone nicely. An intimate Grohl giving way to grandiose, harmonised rock before easing into the rollercoaster that is ‘Run\u2019<\/i>. One of the band\u2019s heaviest and best singles in recent times, it gives the album a justified kick start.<\/p>\n

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As you delve deeper into the record, the aforementioned mix of influences soon becomes apparent. ‘Make It Right\u2019<\/i> carries itself with an AC\/DC-like swagger. ‘The Sky Is A Neighbourhood\u2019<\/i> sees a later day Beatles influence creep in with compelling results; slightly pompous and certainly delivered with grandeur. Their influence also pops up on ‘Happy Ever After (Zero Hour)\u2019<\/i>, while the fuzz-laden ‘La Dee Da\u2019<\/i> echoes Led Zeppelin. Later on, ‘Sunday Rain\u2019<\/i> sees drummer Taylor Hawkins step up to the mic to bring a slice of 70s Californian rock. While the titular track is a challenging finale. Its downtrodden tempo blending into Pink Floyd-esque atmospherics is an intriguing departure for Foo Fighters<\/b>.<\/p>\n

‘Concrete and Gold\u2019<\/i> ultimately sees a band transitioning into modern-day elder statesmen of rock. While the process isn\u2019t complete; ‘Run\u2019<\/i> and ‘The Line\u2019<\/i> have a distinctive and familiar urgency. Nevertheless, besides a handful of highlights, ‘Concrete and Gold\u2019<\/i> requires patience to be fully understood. Foo Fighters<\/b> are at a crossroads; they can either continue delivering stadium rock anthems or continue to shake up their sound as they hint at here.<\/p>\n

3\/5<\/p>\n