Foo Fighters

Oh god. Foo Fighters are not a good band. Foo Fighters are a band with zero personality, just like Dave Grohl himself. It's lowest common denominator, paint-by-numbers rock that fits together elements of every style of alt rock around it so that it can function as the perfect segue between any two songs on a radio station, and that's exactly what they've been doing for 25 years. I used to lump Foo Fighters and Pearl Jam in together, but having been forced to listen to a Pearl Jam album during this project, I can conclude that Pearl Jam have a level of production, songwriting, and dynamics not present whatsoever in Foo Fighters. I still don't like Pearl Jam, but they are significantly better than this. Foo Fighters are muzak with crunchy guitars. If the 90s alternative scene was the crisper drawer in your refrigerator and the many talented, original bands were the variety of vegetables you have, Foo Fighters would be the pooling liquid at the bottom from the various bits of lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and mushrooms that have gone bad in the back. Ugh. This isn't the worst album generated by the list so far... but it's probably in the bottom five.

Who would have made the decision to have this be the Foo Fighters album on this list? It’s the Colour and the Shape that’s their definitive one. The rest of the ‘Foo Fighters’ aren’t even on this album I listened to this record a few weeks ago when Taylor died (along with the other albums he played on). I think it’s really interesting as a fan of their work. It’s pretty scrappy compared the the relatively polished sound of what they do next. Foo Fighters are one of my bands. I have heard every album, especially One by One, There is Nothing Left To Lose, Colour and the Shape and Wasting Light. I was lucky enough to see them twice, including in 2015 when Dave had broken his leg, and played from his Iron Throne of guitars. I think Foo Fighters have been the most universally liked band over the past 30 years. Who else is there? U2 is one, but there’s enough people who actively hate them. Or Red Hot Chili Peppers but I don’t think they’ve been as consistent or have released music at enough of a clip. This band has Dave Grohl, one of the most most recognizable and affable front men of all time, Taylor an incredible drummer and occasionally Pat Smear from Nirvana. Along with their classic music videos this is just a band that has always seemed like they were having fun. They have always had respect for those that came before them, and all of the Foos have been involved with other legendary rock acts throughout the years. They are our generations North Star, you can always count on the Foo Fighters and they are a band that generally everyone likes. It’s their choice now if they continue on given Taylor’s passing. I have to expect they’ll take a few years off then come back with a new drummer. If they decide not to, that’s ok too. Rest In Peace Taylor

Astounding that this was done almost entirely solo by Grohl, and really shows how instrumental he was to 90s rock. Not only was he drummer of the most iconic band in grunge, but shows he is a multi-instrumentalist and a class act songwriter.

Just kinda sounds like rock music, nothing too innovative or special

Absolutely smashing drums. Dave grohl storming the scene. That double overdrive guitar. Sounds like the band that took over the world. Crazy to think dave recorded all the parts himself and only brought a band together to play it live.

Look up 'generic' in the dictionary and you'll find a picture of the Foo Fighters. Grohl seems like a good dude so I want to like them, but they are just meh.

I don't know why I just can't stand the Foo fighters, its a mix of garage band and middle of the road rock and boring vocals, just don't' like them

I love, love, love this album. It's easily the most raw and unpolished in the catalog, but that's precisely what makes it amazing. It's just Dave Grohl, grieving over Kurt Cobain, getting it all out of his system. Alone. Can't be topped in my book.

dave grohl

I’m traveling, in my mind, back to the summer of 1995, when this album was released and I was a 14 year old reprobate. I had just graduated 8th grade and was headed off to high school in the fall. I was trying, with moderate success, to get together with a girl who was a little of out of my league: gorgeous, outgoing and fun. We’d hang out and roam the streets of our neighborhood at night, with nothing better to do than smoke cigarettes she’d stolen from her parents, talk about music and, occasionally, find a secluded place in between suburban ranches to make out for a little bit. Problem was, I was headed for catholic school in the fall and she was going to the public high school that everyone else I knew was going to. I had to try and hide that secret…or at least not bring it up for a little while. I knew it wouldn’t work, the two of us in different schools. When I came clean with that news, it wasn’t quite the same between us. Teenagers are stupid like that, but when you’re that age, the world is small and not being in the same place at the same time is like being on different planets, especially when you’ve spent most of your life up to that point in each other’s orbit. Hold on, what the fuck…this has nothing to do with the Foo Fighters. Thanks for sharing in that moment of emotional clarity with me. Where was I… Oh, yeah. The reason I was taking this journey into the past, is because I’m trying to place myself in the same headspace I would have been in when the Foo Fighters debut album came out. At the time, this record was a bit of a curiosity: The drummer from Nirvana put out record where he plays all the instruments. “Cool, that’s a nice little side project type thing to do after Kurt died. It’ll probably be a one-off kind of thing,” is pretty much what I thought back then. I definitely didn’t see Foo Fighters becoming one of the biggest, most beloved bands on the planet. Like I said, the world is small when you’re a teenager. Honestly, even after seeing the Foo Fighters open for The Rolling Stones two years later, I still wouldn’t have guessed it. Kurt Cobain’s shadow loomed so large over everything back then that it seemed like a metaphysical impossibility that the dude who played drums in his band would be the biggest rock star on earth one day. Even now, that blows my mind. Listening to this record today, I think I was right to be skeptical back then. It certainly has its moments, but it’s kind of front loaded and is more than a little indebted to the alt rock and indie of its time. It’s got a grungy DIY feel that makes it a surprising catalyst for the career of one of the biggest bands on earth. Good for you, Dave. You showed us all.

There's a real charm to how it feels put together - as it's a one-man job, you can sense the seams of the whole thing, and I quite like that. The first half of the album felt stronger and more memorable than the back end, but 'Exhausted' provides a very satisfying coda. 'Floaty' and 'Weenie Beenie' are worthy efforts at experimentation. I've never been a big Foo Fighters fan, but I enjoyed this. There are still hints and echoes of Nirvana in there, but it's perhaps closer to more recent Foo Fighters releases than I anticipated. Fun listen - I don't anticipate running back to it, but we'll see how it grows on me.

This is maybe the best Foo Fighters record, and possibly their least Foo Fighters-y record. Easily their rawest record and for sure the coolest one to like. Definitely their least pretentious record and most laid back record. Big Me is so unlike any other Foo Fighters song. It’s weird. Tbh I liked this even more than I remembered. Fave Tracks: This is a Call, I’ll Stick Around, Big Me, Good Grief, Floaty 4.6/5

In my head I had it that I didn't particularly like the first Foo Fighters album, but that's completely wrong - I've _loved_ this re-listen! Fantastic alt rock, and I dig both the upbeat blasting tracks, and the slowed down mournful introspective ones. Fave track - "Good Grief", maybe? Could easily pick 5 or 6 more that would get the title....

Generic boring butt rock. Dave should've stuck to drumming, he was good at that.

Repetitive and samey

I like the Foo Fighters and had heard some of these songs before. Hadn’t listened to the album in its entirety though. Some bands of this era/style I have listened to seem very monotonous when listened to as a full album. Didn’t feel like that for this album. “This Is a Call” is a great start to the album. “I’ll Stick Around” has that smooth Grohl vocal performance I like best with the Foo Fighters. “Big Me” softens things up a bit. I’ve always liked this song, and I think hearing it in the context of the album improves it even more. Other standout tracks for me include “Good Grief” which feels like a pretty raw emotional response to turmoil and change. “Floaty” is haunting in the simplicity of its lyrics. I very much enjoyed "For All The Cows" both musically and lyrically. "Wattershed" sort of jumped out at me and made me take notice. Great song and lyrics, some pretty interesting tempo changes. "Exhausted" summed up the last few years for me. One of my favorite songs on this album. I love the line 'What if the day had stayed in bed?' Great ending. This album's pacing and variability required a lot of versatility to make. I enjoyed taking this journey even more after the second listen. I don’t know why I’d never listened to this back in the day but glad to have gotten it in before I die.

One of the best debut albums of all time, by a living legend

Just a solid rock album through and through for every song. Thoroughly enjoyed this Friday "full send" album that gets the work done!

Okay… The album starts with this is a call it’s an okay song very middle of the road poppy grunge but nothing horrible. I’ll stick around is a slightly better song I love the instrumentation in this and how Dave’s voice isn’t too loud on here. Big me is a pleasant acoustic song with cool little drum breaks nice. I like those guitars in alone+ easy target especially at the start of the song! Good grief is a nice sounding rocker, I can imagine a lot of head banging to this one! Floaty is a brilliant song a song that starts off acoustic but then when the electric guitars come in the song really packs a punch! It seems to be that in every album with Dave Grohl that I’ve herd there is a mental screamy rampage song weenie beenie is the one for this foo fighter’s album. Oh George is another one of the heavier songs, not as tortured as weenie beenie though, this one actually makes me think more of queens of the Stone Age than anything. For all the cows works well of the last two being a slower track for the most part with one of the most amazing explosive choruses in the whole album. X-static is amazing to be fair it’s got this really cool guitar riff that runs through the song overpowering the vocals without ever really exploding at any point of the song! Wattershed is punk it’s a brilliant song though and I am surprised the album got this heavy because of how tame the first half is. Exhausted is a good closer, very fuzzy sounding yet quite a slow jam, amazing. Well that was the first listen after the second listen all areas improved to make a 5/5.

Dave Grohl's solo debut that would later become the Foo Fighters, pretty wild what this album turned into. While there's a bit of a lack of polish it's pretty incredible that he whipped this together in such a short timespan, and that he's created some serious bangers while also reeling from the grief of Kurt's passing. Objectively I'd probably give this a 4, but Foo Fighters were the best concert I've been to and I'm biased so it's a 5 for me. Love the way Dave just smashes those drums, nobody hits em like he does.

Stone cold classic

Love it - That lead singer Dave could do whatever he wanted with me

Classic for me. Great riffs and Dave emerging from his Nirvana chrysalis

Aujourd'hui, nous découvrions enfin l'album du traître absolu, le Judas de la grunge, j'ai nommé Dave Grohl. Ce dernier, ancien batteur du groupe Nirvana, a en effet pris le temps de bien copier sur son petit camarade de classe Kurt, afin de lui subtiliser absolument tout son style musical, et de le recracher dans un album sans aucune originalité. Dave Grohl va même plus loin dans le plagiat: il se permet en effet de reproduire des scènes de la vie courante du groupe Nirvana, s'étant déroulées dans l'intimité du studio d'enregistrement. Cela atteint même le ridicule, quand sur la fin de l'album, Dave Grohl reproduit le rituel de son camarade Kurt, en enfournant une boite de Pastabox dans le micro-ondes. Ceci n'a evidemment rien à faire dans un album de grunge, mais il semblerait que Dave Grohl se soit quelque peu perdu dans sa tentative desespérée de sauver son année scolaire de terminale grunge. J'ai tout simplement adoré cet album, je lui accorde donc la note de 4/5

Invigorating. Though at times, the vocalist holds back the energy of the songs.

I think I’d rather that this album be worse than it is, because it’s just so incredibly average. Almost anything that I’ve heard from this band has been the most dragging, boring rock possible. It’s almost impressive just how middle-of-the-road it is. Occasionally a song will start with a cool riff, but then after about a minute it doesn’t develop at all, and Grohl’s vocals kill it off completely.

I didn't like this album at all when it first came out. I actually gave it away to a friend after only a couple listens. My opinion has only lightened at bit since then. It's not just "Nirvana Lite" or an example of the emerging Rock scene that included Candlebox and the dreaded Nickleback. It's a Dave Grohl solo album that provided the seed for what would arguably become the biggest Hard Rock band on the planet. A "Radio-Friendly Unit Shifter", indeed.

Started okay then all the songs blended for me. I had to listen twice to remember what I heard but I found it rather bland in general.

As a Fighter of Foo myself, this album hits me in the feel goods. A true classic in rock music and a labor of love from our lord and savior Dave Grohl.

Siiiiiigh… I don’t begrudge Dave Grohl for becoming a rock God, but this album makes me so nostalgic in all the saddest ways. I love this thing. Yes, I know “Everlong” exists, but song-for-song this entire album is everything I’ve ever wanted this band to be from the word go, and a totally painful reminder of how bland they’ve become. I saw them play Raleigh on this tour and it was a fucking blast. Still had William on drums. Grohl was still skinny with his stringy, long greasy-as-a-used-skillet hair. He didn’t talk to the crowd like he was trying to be Paul Stanley. It was just… the best. I used to play these songs on guitar so, so much, my dudes. And that cover art! I mean, it’s basically Han Solo’s gun!! X-Static (not Static-X) for life.

1st album 1st day. I've already listened to the Foo Fighters so I give this album 10/10.

So as a rock guy, I love Foo Fighters – and the story regarding how the “band” came to be is quite interesting… While it’s not nearly as strong as several of the albums that followed – this was the first, and really just an experiment to help Dave deal with his grief over Kurt’s suicide earlier in 1994… But as an inaugural effort – combined with the fact that Dave wrote and performed all of the instrumentation on all of the songs – and the fact that he basically created a unique sound, well, that’s absolutely amazing to me, and it’s pretty damned good as well! The 1st track on the album “This Is A Call” – really is the quintessential Foo Fighters song – and it’s DNA can be found in pretty much everything that has been created since… Great way to kick off the album as well… While some tracks are better than others, there is nothing absolutely top-shelf on this album, and the only real throwaway as far as I’m concerned is “Weenie Beenie” – but everything else is exceptionally solid… Below are the best songs IMO – and again going with my usual 7-star ratings scale – because you know that 5 isn’t quite enough, and 9 would just be silly… : ) “This Is A Call” – 4-stars out of 7… “I’ll Stick Around” – 4-stars out of 7… “Good Grief” – 5-stars out of 7… “Floaty” – 5-stars out of 7… “For All The Cows” – 4-stars out of 7… Very interesting song for sure… : ) For historical significance, for an artist creating and performing the entire album, and for creating a new and original sound as far as I’m concerned – AND this coming from a drummer for Christ’s sake – this is solidly a 4 in my book…

Un magnifique album de la part d'un Dave Grohl à l'acmé de sa dépression. Le musicien nous y raconte sa période de deuil suite à la mort de son copain Kurt Cobain. Dès les premiers morceaux, Dave se réveille vers les coups de midi, traîne les pieds jusqu'à son canapé sans quitter ses survêtements. Il regarde différentes séries sur son ordinateur et s'effondre en larmes au moindre passage émotionnel. Un court interlude nous présente à mi-album le protagoniste en train de se gratter la barbe négligée qu'il arbore sur le menton. La deuxième partie du disque n'est pas plus optimiste. On accompagne en effet l'ancien membre de Nirvana dans une épicerie où celui-ci s'en va acheter la quantité d'un chariot de Pasta BOX Sodebo afin de lui éviter de cuisiner. Il rentre ensuite chez lui et réchauffe l'une d'entre elles cinq minutes et trente secondes au micro-ondes à 850 Watts. L'album s'abrège sur le "kling" de la minuterie.

Kurt is dead and Dave is sad so he makes his own "band" which doesn't actually exist because he plays all the instruments and only after the album gets actually new guys to form a proper live and recording band... yeah... The self-titled debut album of the "band" released a little more than a year after Kurts death with a more Pop oriented Grunge and Alt-Rock record that at some points plays with some Shoegaze. Of course Dave Grohl isn't nearly as good of a songwriter as Kurt was but he is at least solid and the ongoing career of the Foo Fighters which with their 2023 album "But Here We Are" that turned to a new and surpisingly well made high of the band, shows exactly that. This album right here is solid with a couple of standouts and a couple that aren't that noteworthy. 'This Is a Call' opens the album with a pretty good one which feels like a mix of Jeff Rosenstock, The Beach Boys and well, Nirvana. It's a pretty wild clash of ideas and genres but the melody as well as the vocals do tie it all together pretty nicely. It also feels much less formulated which you'd might excpect from someone's first attempt at own songs. Instead it doesn't really build around certain things and just flows from part and idea to the next which at a lot of points works really well but also shows already the weak point of the record. It can often feel unstructed, thrown together and like it's missing substance. This one right here is really great though. 'I'll Stick Around' goes much more into Hard Rock riffs as well as a certain Noise Rock additude which does work well with the style's that Grohl went for. Sonically, this is fitting and pleasing with the vocal style but the main problem is that there isn't really much to grip onto. It just plays and you enjoy it but it doesn't get you excited except for when the chorus starts to get really raw. It's a good song but with options for improvement. The quite drastic change of sound on 'Big Me' which sees him go into a direction of Jangle Pop with a more relaxed and warm feeling. Again, it's a pleasent listen but the feeling of not enough substance gets even more prominent because although I enjoy what I hear, I don't really care for it or really attach to much that he does. Especially the chorus feels very, very weak. It's still a nice track. The Noise Rock inspiration together with more Grunge returns in a very Nirvana fashion on 'Alone + Easy Target'. This could've been an outtake from "In Utero" that Grohl presented the band but ultimatly was denied. The delivery, the chorus, the way it builds up. All of it screams Nirvana. I don't mind it of course, but it does very much feel like an imitation that was done after a certain expectation which seems to ruin some of the emotional value you'd might expect to find. I personally like the song but are a couple moments that seem very plain and formulaic to me. The shoegazey guitar on 'Good Grief' does add a nice little extra to it which only gets better with the pretty good songwriting that Dave puts on this song. The lyrics seem lost within the song itself but very much like it was intended that way and that adds a certain unknowingness and lostness to the song. Sadly, the chorus ruins this feeling and leaves behind a shallow version of what it was at the start. The dreamy guitar sound returns on the bridge which is the second highlight after the first chorus but it overall feels bland and like it very much lost its own potential. 'Floaty' begins with some very pretty acoustic guitars that suddenly break into a pure Shoegaze and Noise Pop song very reminiscent of "my bloody valentine" with noisy, dreamy and very melancholic songwriting that is easily the best song on the entire album. It's just beautifully crafted together an while it's not perfect, it is an incredible song with some very outstanding moments that especially with the start of the verses show the potential that Dave Grohl had. The albums second half starts with the Post-Hardcore Punk inspired 'Weenie Beenie' and while I see his vision, the way it's done is just unfitting, weird and not really all that interesting. It's not bad or anything but there is just nothing of any bigger value to find. It's just very plain and basic. With 'Oh, George' he returns to the more Power Pop inspired songwriting which does suit him much, much better. Still, it feels like all the ideas were drained out and he's reusing certain ideas which is very much what most of the song feels like. The only parts that feel unique are the chorus and the bridge with the guitar solo but that's it. I can enjoy it but it's again nothing that really excites me. The Blues and Country inspired guitar on 'For All the Cows' together with a songwriting and delivery that very much feels like Elliot Smith at the start kind of throws me off because I think it doesn't really fit into the album. Additionally, the chorus comes and goes too fast and is too strong of a sonic difference that it throws you more off than intrigue you. He returns to the noisy shoegaze on 'X-Static' which sadly isn't a step up in terms of songwriting quality. The chorus is pretty neat but it ends way to early to really make it interesting. The verses and the bridge all feel thrown together and not properly finished which again, doesn't help the song. It does have some potential especially with the chorus but the result is somewhere between boring and annoying. 'Wattershed' again turns to a very Punk Rock inspired sound which is actually pretty well made. It's definitely a territory where Grohl can make music that sounds like he knows what he's doing. The songwriting is alright, it's not too long. It has some nice energy. While yes, this isn't a great song, it's still a good one. The very Noise loaded closing track 'Exhausted' might sonically be the most challenging but it's also one of the better tracks on the album. His songwriting neatly works within the very strong Noise Pop and Grunge levels. If it was a tad bit shorter and maybe had a more clearly fleshed out chorus, this would've been one of the albums best. The dreamy Shoegaze sound with the not so coherent vocals do add some very interesting parts but the bridge and mainly the strong walk towards a more Rock sounding song near at the second half does destroy some of the aspects that I like about it. It's still a good song but with options where improvement would've been useful. favourites: Floaty, This Is a Call, Alone + Easy Target least favourites: Weenie Beenie, X-Static Rating: decent to strong 6 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes

Dave is in a bit of trouble at the moment well with his wife anyway! This album always impressed me as it was not long after Kurt passed and that Dave recorded all of the instruments. I saw them tour the second and third album at Brixton Academy which is a small venue for them these days. I can't say I listen to the Foo's much these days but hey still fun on the radio. This album is a bit more raw and has the grunge vibe still. Stand out tracks - This is a call - I'll stick around - Big Me - Floaty - Weenie Beenie

ok, but didn't keep my attention

Album #13 I am not a heavy metal fan and found this tolerable until the song Weenie Beenie which is basically DG screaming into a microphone, distorting his voice into oblivion. I have NEVER understood the appeal of this type of "music". It was all I could do to not give up on the album and shut it down. By the time I got to the last track, I was just that, "exhausted" after listening to the same drum beat and guitar riffs/chords for almost every song

hate the foo fighters, das auch.

Not a buy. Favorite track: Big Me I like the more mellow upbeat vibe. Lyrics are simple and catchy. Doesn’t overstay it’s welcome. Worst: Weenie Beenie Stupid lyrics with annoying vocals and a sound I just don’t like. The whole album has bad lyrics. They’re kind of pointless sounding and they’re not even catchy. All the songs kind of blend together for me. I think that’s why Big Me stands out and I like it because it’s not like the rest of the album.

not something I need to listen to before I die.

Foo is great post-grunge hard rock. Love it.

Damn. I really thought I would hate this. I kept finding myself turning the volume in my car louder and louder. Raw and not super polished but I loved that about it.

Epic

It's great

fingernails are good

Love this album and every album that followed.

I did not know that Dave Grohl made this album on his own. The band came later. Anyway, it is superb (post-) grunge: dynamic, intense and melodic.

Right from the first note of This Is A Call, Dave Grohl is making a statement that it's time to move on from the sadness of Kurt Cobain's death - time to rock! I'm still amazed that Grohl essentally did all of the music and vocals on this album. Liked Songs Added: This Is A Call I'll Stick Around Big Me Alone + Easy Target Floaty Exhausted

Really loved this. Sounds like a more thoughtful, more melodic Nirvana album. Enjoyed it more than later Foo Fighters.

Solid rock album, but I like their later stuff more

Importante para confirmar a criatividade e a habilidade de Grohl como músico, letrista e canto.

This is a classic for me. I bought it the day it was released and have listened to it off and on for the past 30 years. It will always trigger a sense memory of a certain time of my life, I was listening to it so much. Love it.

Finally a good band. It’s been a long list of bands I’ve never heard of. And then the Foo Fighters. They are legitimately one of my top ten bands. I love every thing they do. And I think this album shows why. For a debut album this really showcases a wide variety of rock styles. There are some absolute bangers here. 5

I've always heard of foo fighters but never listened, really enjoyed it

Love their sound

wowww foo fighters

i love it

never heard this before; in fact the only record by them i heard besides the obvious one was the one that came after that UPD: i HAVE in fact heard this before and i didn't really like it *** super interesting how this record feels much more like it's picking up where Nirvana's In Utero left off as opposed to Foo Fighters next record where there's much more assorted influences in the music and the direction & production are pretty different kind of feels like New Order's Movement in that regard oh but it also makes total sense that it was Grohl who played nearly all parts on this; it's not as much Nirvana letting go of Nirvana: the album but Dave Grohl himself i can definitely imagine I'll Stick Around and Alone + Easy Target with Kurt's vocals even still, Good Grief almost sounds like a Naked Raygun song, doesn't it? it's super good Floaty lowkey sounds like something Title Fight would make wtf oh hey Weenie Beenie could be on a Queens of the Stone Age album; aren't they friends with Josh Homme? very nice record that rubs me the right way even compared to Nirvana and later Foo Fighters with an interesting story behind it

Nice to know that he did everything for this album

I love that. I will listen again.

Life changing.

Very good

I’m at a 4.5 that I’ll just barely bump up to a 5 just because I liked this a lot. It’s very hard to not think about Nirvana (and more specifically Kurt Cobain) when listening to this, but it’s just because they’re so tightly linked. Obviously, Dave Grohl has stepped far beyond the overwhelming lingering impact that Kurt left behind to become a star in his own right, but since this album comprises so much of material Dave wrote while he was still in Nirvana, it’s just hard to avoid making the comparison. It is, however, very easy to listen to this and realize that Dave Grohl is absolutely not Kurt Cobain – even though a number of songs on here feel like they’re directly linked to Nirvana (X-Static absolutely has to be a Nevermind tribute in its vocal style and instrumentation, come on), there’s a pretty strong number that show Dave’s own musical styles well, whether it’s the acoustically laden cheesy “Big Me.” the heavy metal of “Weenie Beenie,” or the hard punk of “Wattershed,” it’s a really good showcase of just how varied the Foo Fighters would come to be once Dave got an actual full band together. It’s seriously impressive to me that this is all Dave Grohl – obviously, with the benefit of an entire world-class discography later, we know he had this in him all along, but for 1995, it’s a really ballsy shot to take. “The drummer from Nirvana made an album? After Kurt died? What a cash grab, am I right?” It could’ve totally flopped if people didn’t give the music a genuine chance, and I’m so very glad they did – this is a pretty good album. It’s got a few flaws – I think the lyrics aren’t as tight as they could be (and as Dave would later prove, would be), and some of the instrumental/production choices are a little off putting and screechy at times, but considering how much of this was written long before it was recorded, and that Dave Grohl did it all by himself, I can look over those as nitpicks. It’s just a damn good listen, and a really strong debut – 4.5 barely bumped up to a 5, but very, very good regardless.

Completely biased review time! Foo Fighters is my favorite band. I love this album, and it has some serious bangers on it. While it's not my favorite FF album (The Colour and The Shape), it's still great! 9.5/10 Would I listen again? Of course!

Great album.

Man, turns out that Dave Grohl guy? Pretty good. Who knew? 😂

i love you dave grohl oh my god. if you want some good grunge, look no further than foo fighter's debut album. grunge rock that isn't overly pretentious, depressing for the sake of being depressing, and/or grimy audio sludge. if kurt was still alive, i truly think he would weep tears of joy listening to this album. also this guy recorded this whole thing in a WEEK. that's nuts.

Probably their best one

Man, I do love this album, and I do love this man. It’s pretty amazing how this all came about; from the ashes of a destroyed kingdom, wrecked and bumming around the UK in depressed isolation. Fuck that, pull yourself out! Make some cassettes, play every instrument on every song, hand out and see who listens. Everyone. Uh Dave, this fucking rocks, go get a band! It’s a unique story. Had Kurt missed his head, the Foos might never have been. And as much as I revere Nevermind, I like Dave and the FF’s far more than I miss Nirvana. Anyway, the album; top to bottom, kicks ass. Sets the tone for this man’s ever evolving incredible journey.

Great songs

Not many rock albums have a better 4-punch opening than this one, and there are no really bad tracks here. Weenie Beenie, albeit having a solid riff is the only mid track. The production and lack of variety in sound are a minus, but 9/10 is still a 5-star rating

Foo Fighters' self-titled debut album is a smashing entry into the rock scene, showcasing Dave Grohl's impressive talents as a multi-instrumentalist. Grohl plays all the instruments on the record, signaling a decisive move away from his grunge roots with Nirvana. This album cements his new direction, embracing a more melodic and energetic rock sound. The raw energy and catchy hooks remain compelling, proving that the album still sounds great today. Standout tracks like This Is a Call and Big Me highlight Grohl's ability to blend powerful riffs with memorable melodies. Despite being a solo effort, the album feels cohesive and reflects Grohl's clear artistic vision. The mix of hard-hitting rock anthems and introspective moments adds depth and variety. Foo Fighters is not just a solid debut but a foundational record that set the stage for the band's future success. NUMBER OF BANGERS - 7 STAND OUT TRACK - Big Me

Always enjoyed this album

Amazing energy

That is an awesome self entitled

Excellent album

- Soooo so eine tolle Platte - So wunderbar roh, so wunderbar energetisch und zugleich so zart (es folgt eine Erläuterung zu den drei genannten Attributen) - Die Rawness kommt größtenteils aus dem Sound, den die Platte komplett für mich ausmacht. Keine Hochglanzproduktion, sondern ein Werk mit Ecken und Kanten und viel Gefühl. Mir fällt kaum ein Rockalbum ein, was so wunderbar warm klingt und sich mir um die Seele schmiegt, wie eine kuschelige Decke an einem lauen Sommerabend. - Die Energie zeiht das Album aus den starken Instrumentals. Alles von Dave Grohl geschrieben und eingespielt. "Foo Fighters" waren damals eher ein Arbeitstitel für Daves Soloprojekt nach Nirvana. In der Promophase zu dem Album hat er sich dann über Bekannte und Freunde aus der Seattle Music Scene die Mitglieder zusammengesucht und die Band war geboren. Sicherlich sitzt vielleicht nicht jeder Gitarrenanschlag perfekt, da Dave, wie er selbst zugibt, die meiste Zeit seines Lebens nunmal Drummer war. Zudem musste das Album in 7 Tagen aufgenommen werden. Ich finde das Unperfekte macht das Album perfekt und grobe Schnitzer sind sowieso keine zu hören. Und wenn richtig in die Seiten und auf die Drums gehauen wird, dann kann ich nicht anders als mitnicken (oder ggf. abzappeln) und mich freuen. - Mit "zart" mein ich in erster Linie viele der Strophen, die besonders in den Vocals einen schönen ruhigen Kontrast zu den lauten Drums und den verzerrten Gitarren bieten. Wunderbare und wie ich finde auch teils ungewöhnliche und oftmals zweistimmige Gesangsmelodien. - Insgesamt ist der Vocalmix interessant, weil er einer klassischen Popproduktion komplett entgegensteht. Die Vocals sind im Verhältnis super leise gemischt, während der Fokus klar auf den Drums und der Gitarre liegt. Die Vocals binden sich dadurch ein wie jedes andere Instrument und geben lediglich die Lead-Melodie vor. Ich mag das extrem gern und auch das macht für mich den allover Sound des Albums aus. - Die Entstehungsgeschichte des Albums ist super interessant. Dave Grohl widment dieser ein ganzes Kapitel in deiner Autobiografie. Die meisten Songs hatte er bereits während seiner Zeit in Nirvana geschrieben, bei manchen war er zu schüchtern, sie Kurt Cobain vorzuspielen, manche instrumentals zeigte er ihm vor dessen Tod. Kurt schien sie gemocht zu haben und wollte daran arbeiten. Dave schreibt dazu, wie sehr er sich wünschen würde, Kurts Interpretation der Songs jemals hören zu können... - Keine Foo Fighters Platte klingt so wie dieses Album, was es zu einem ganz besonderen Album in ihrer Diskografie macht. Vom Vibe her noch am ehesten There Is Nothing Left To Lose, aber das war schon deutlich fetter produziert. - Ich habe etwas länger gebraucht, um das Album richtig schätzen zu lernen, früher war ich kein großer Fan. Ich kann verstehen, dass einem das Album Anfangs vielleicht etwas eintönig vorkommt. Wenn man sich aber ein wenig in das Album reinhört, dann entdeckt man spätestens nach dem 2. oder 3. Mal wie viele Perlen auf diesem Album sind (ich würde sagen mindestens 10/12 möglichen Perlen). Inzwischen zählt es zu meinen Lieblingsalben und bin sehr froh, dass es hier auftaucht! Rating: 5/5

Luke’s gonna hate me for this but yeah. It’s a 5. it’s a mid to strong 9. some may not enjoy it as much as I do but you can just watch Dave Grohl grow on this record. Genre defining, with no skips, nevermind reinventing the term one man band. even the deep cuts smack. I know I will be the only one this high but i think that not too many records have this level of influence, and it’s an outstanding opening statement for the modern legends the foo are. 5/5

It's a good album.

So so good. Even the songs I didn't recognize were excellent. So perfectly heavy, loud, melodic, pleasant. Five stars easily.

Very pleasantly surprised to see this on the list, given the greater commercial success of the later FF albums. Got to into this album quite late, but my god what a debut. Love an album where one person plays/sings everything. Something I could only dream of. This album is a perfect follow on from Nirvana. Grunge elements retained in bit, but with a blend of garage rock/whatever Dave felt like at the time. Though almost all songs are not as polished as later FF releases (e.g. everlong), their rawness adds to the charm. Good Grief remains one of my FF songs despite it's relative simplicity, whereas Exhausted is one of the best album closers - after a pretty heavy fast/slow album you've got a droney, black-metal esque riff with some of Dave's most ethereal vocals. 4.5*, rounding up as it's just ended on an absolute banger

Definitely not their best and they deserve more

Maybe there's some nostalgia at work here, but this is just a perfect record to me. I haven't heard most of these songs since the mid 90s. But I'll definitely listen a lot more. The pacing keeps me interested. The guitar tone goes from crunchy to twangy to fit the mood. The vocals and lyrics are intense but whimsical. I haven't been very interested in most of the Foo Fighters later work. But this album just feels like a cultural epoch.

just love it. i'll stick around, Alone + Easy Target, exhausted are all just top tier songs

Haven't listened to anywhere near enough Foo Fighters songs. The ones I do know are awesome, just never got round to checking out more. Didn't know anything on this album, and it sounds very different to the classics I know. Loved the album though. Had no idea Foo Fighters started off as just Dave Grohl. Just another reason why he's one of coolest guys around. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Love the Foo.

Its Foo Fighters so it was spectacular

This is a Call: 10/10 I'll Stick Around: 10/10 Big Me: 10/10 Alone + Easy Target : 11/10 Good Grief: 9/10 Floaty: 10/10 underrated af Weenie Beenie: 9/10 Oh, George: 10/10 underrated af For All the Cows: 9/10 X-static: 10/10 Wattershed: 8/10 Exhausted: 9/10 Top Three: (rough one) Alone + Easy Target Floaty X-static Album Score: 10/10 One of my favorite albums from one of my favorite bands

This album is pretty, this album is good

Probably won’t be a 5 for most but it’s a 5 for me. No skips. Each song has at least one killer memorable moment. And I like to picture that some of these songs would have been on the next Nirvana record. It’s a 5 from me.

I love it

classic 90's alternative. Dave Grohl is one of the most talented musicians.

Great first album by a great band.

I really love the Foo Fighters. Maybe because I’ve seen them live multiple times and just love their casual energy. They seem like they are talented without ego (whether that is true is unknown).

Foo Fighters are awesome

Insane debut from an already established name at the time, soon to become even bigger as one of rock's most well-known groups. Dave Grohl hit the ground running with 1,000 gallons of momentum and never looked back. Foo Fighters have a way of working with grief, turning it into music that's raw, energetic, emotional, cathartic, and just a treat to listen to. Not to mention, these songs sound amazing live - I'll never forget hearing the intro to I'll Stick Around as the band walked out onstage, and then proceeding to have two of the most enjoyable hours I've ever had at a concert. I do think The Colour & The Shape, There is Nothing Left to Lose, or even Wasting Light would be better representations for this list (mainly because this record didn't even have the rest of the band in it), but I'm biased so.... Standouts are This is a Call, I'll Stick Around, Big Me, Floaty, and For All the Cows.

One of my favorite bands and such a great debut!!!

5 stars and haven't even listened to it yet. But I will because I absolutely love the Foo Fighters.

Teenage me loved this album. I remember the TV commercials promoting it, which featured just a steady shot of the album cover while the chorus for "This Is A Call" blasted though the speakers. My anticipation for it's release following the death of Kurt Cobain was rabid. Almost 30 years later, I have such a deeper appreciation for what Dave Grohl created. To single handedly produce this record - writing every track, stepping up as surprisingly incredible front man, and playing each instrument along the way - is inspiring. The death of Cobain had an entire generation of music fans in mourning. Grohl's willingness to step into the biggest shoes imaginable is fucking bold. It's even more astonishing with the benefit of hindsight. Grohl was the drummer behind one of the true pioneers of rock. And he was fucking awesome. The drum intro to "Smells Like Teen Spirit" might be the most iconic ever (in my dipshit opinion). But it's crazy to think that such a diverse musical talent was hidden behind that drum kit. Cobain and Grohl will go down as one of the greatest 1-2 punches to ever share a stage. Nirvana fans just didn't fully appreciate it at the time. How could we? This album should be cherished. 👌

This caught me off-guard. A quick and angry recoil to Cobain's suicide, and every bit as good as Nirvana's output. But there's something more here: a tender take on grunge, honesty replacing irony with a mid-Western drawl, but still as loud and as raw as hell. Every song just hits so hard and sounds so good, even if the production isn't great, but that's part of the charm. I never realised what a place this held in my heart though. It's just so perfect and ugly-beautiful and unique as an album. Grohl wore his heart on his sleeve and it paid off massively for him.