Review of the Foo Fighters' "The Colour and the Shape"

Foo Fighters is a band with more than a tiny link to Nirvana. Encompassing the late band's drummer Dave Grohl (the frontman and chief creative force of the Foo Fighters) and guitarist Pat Smear (who left after this album), it is more than a little tempting to imagine that this group is merely a pale imitation of one of rock's most legendary bands. The Colour and the Shape (1997) completely dispels any such thoughts.

Of course it would be almost impossible if there weren't some allusions to Grohl's former band. "Enough Space," for instance, is the closest thing on this album to a Nirvana song. And there are bits and pieces, such as the thrash session that brings the final track "New Way Home" to an end, that also seem to hark back to those days.

However, the one key area where the two bands differ is that The Colour and the Shape illustrates the greater versatility of the Foo Fighters. The opening track "Doll" is a brief, slow and soft introduction for the next song "Monkey Wrench" which is its complete opposite - hard and fast. "Hey, Johnny Park!" is a more conventional rock song. Then there's "See You," probably the greatest surprise on the album. A cute little ditty, and even containing that underrated musical accessory the handclap, it is much more reminiscent of Simon and Garfunkel than some of the acts Nirvana fans might listen to.

"Up in Arms," supposedly a love song written by Grohl for his wife, further shows the band's sense of variety. The song is split into two parts, both with the same lyrics - the first is a sentimental ballad while the second is an explosive pop song. "New Way Home" is along the same lines, but this time split into three sections- pop song, a crescendoing lullaby, and the thrash session mentioned above.

Combined with this musical flair is the ear Grohl and band show for a good tune. The melodies present on The Colour and the Shape, though perhaps overshadowed at times by their exuberance, are what make the album so impressive. It is a credit to them that they don't let the noise. in which rock bands so often indulge themselves, become a substitute for quality.

Still there are some negative aspects to the record. "Walking After You" and "My Poor Brain," while decent enough songs, are not of the same high standard as the other ten. Also the words, a few good lines aside, are rather uninspiring. This piece from "Enough Space" is indicative of this lack of lyrical creativity: "I was waiting for something, maybe

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