FOO FIGHTERS: There Is Nothing Left To Lose (ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Released on 2 November 1999, Foo Fighters' third album, "There Is Nothing Left to Lose", marks a turning point for the band. With Dave Grohl having decided to part company with Franz Stahl, the Foo Fighters are now down to just three members, with Taylor Hawkins on drums and Nate Mendel on bass. Enjoying a certain amount of freedom, the trio quickly get down to rehearsing in the studio that Dave Grohl has set up in the basement of his recently purchased house in Virginia to record the 11 tracks that make up this new opus.

Listening to the first two tracks, you'd have thought that Foo Fighters were going to continue the work begun with "The Colour And The Shape". Combining speed, rock-solid riffs, saturation and raging vocals, 'Stacked Actors' and 'Breakout' have all the hallmarks of the band. Two straightforward tracks, bordering on punk, which wisely allow for a smooth transition.

The arrival of 'Learn To Fly', a hit with 500 million listens, takes "There Is Nothing Left to Lose" into another dimension, more melodic and more pop. Foo Fighters slow down the pace and leave more room for acoustics ('Aurora', 'Ain't It The Life'). Dave Grohl, who finally sings more than he shouts, seems to have let his emotions take over, giving many tracks a refreshingly introspective feel. The only regret is that a good half of them don't have more impact, and the songwriting is a little simplistic.

While retaining the signature sound that makes them unique, Foo Fighters have begun their moult. A much more relaxed album than "The Colour And The Shape", "There Is Nothing Left to Lose" reflects a carefree era for the band members. Their new life away from the stress of Los Angeles and the fun they had playing together had an impact on people's spirits, and 'There Is Nothing Left to Lose' is a testament to that. - Official website

FOO FIGHTERS

THERE IS NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE

AUTRE LABEL

ROCK