Amarillo College Ranger

Issue date: 11/30/06 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Foo Fighters [Click to enlarge]

The Foo Fighters' latest acoustic release, Skin and Bones, once again solidifies the band's ability to transition easily over to the acoustic world.

While the softer side has been explored before on In Your Honor and many of that album's songs are performed again on Skin and Bones, listeners also are given a chance to hear some of the distortion-driven songs given a completely different life.

Vocalist/guitarist Dave Grohl, drummer Taylor Hawkins, bassist Nate Mendel and guitarist Chris Shiflett are some of the few musicians who actually appear as comfortable in an unplugged setting as with a roomful of amps.

The first track, "Razor," is almost like a mirror rendition of its original on In Your Honor, which gives the CD a familiar feel.

While at first you might feel short-changed, thinking you're just getting the exact same material you got a year ago, hang in there.

Even when the previous acoustic releases are played, the band manages to bring a little something different to each number.

An example would be "Walking After You," which actually seems more upbeat and percussion-oriented than the original.

Probably the most impressive work, however, comes when the Foo Fighters decide to take songs such as "My Hero" and "Best Of You" to the acoustic side.

While plenty of other bands' acoustic numbers only seem like muted versions of the originals, the Foo Fighters' songs almost seem like they are completely new tracks.

If you're going to do an acoustic version of anything, you might as well take the song in a different direction.

In "My Hero," the lyrical content almost seems to fit better without the distortion.

The version from The Colour and the Shape was undeniably powerful, but acoustically -- and backed up by a beautiful piano as it builds up to the climax -- it seems to convey Grohl's emotions tenfold.

Drummer Taylor Hawkins gets to showcase his vocal talents live as well, performing "Cold Day in the Sun."

It is one of the few tracks on the CD that actually doesn't shy away from using electric guitars, but it still has a mellow Eagles-esque feel to it that doesn't throw the whole record off.

This tiny break from slower-tempo songs actually does keep the momentum on Skin and Bones going.

The fans who primarily enjoy the Foo Fighters' harder songs may get bored while listening to the latest CD, but the band still is able to relay just as much intensity with its acoustics.

Just because the Foo Fighters decided to "tone down" their sound on Skin and Bones doesn't necessarily mean there is less there than before.

With the addition of a violin, organ and mellotron, the concert has a rich sound that accentuates the band's playing.

If anything, the CD proves that even when you do leave the band with just a few acoustics and vocals, there are solid songs underneath it all.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools