Sonic Highways
by Foo Fighters

I had high hopes for this album, but when it came out it turned out to be just another Foo Fighters album. The first three songs and number five are good and the rest is more filler material.

My god, what a mess. The Foos went from the critical success of their previous album 'Wasting Light', and right off a cliff-edge. The record starts with the mostly inoffensive, but fairly mundane 'Something From Nothing' and ends on the frankly awful 'I Am A River'. What's most disappointing is that 'Sonic Highways' had some very talented people (Butch Vig, Tony Visconti, Grohl himself) involved with the production, only then to come out with a forgettable, half listenable, dad rock album. One word, disappointing, from a band that had previously came out with songs such as 'Everlong' and 'Walk'.
Strongest (or least weak) tracks: 'Something From Nothing', 'Congregation'.
Weakest tracks: 'What Did I Do? / God As My Witness', 'I Am A River'.

Did not like this at first. Gave it another listen. And glad I did. Solid album. Can always count on the Foos to release good to really good albums.

From LedZep 04/17/2018 17:33 | #213125

Well I'm all weird with the Foos. My fave is Wasting Light, and I love Sonic Highways. Feels more complex than anything they've released, and also cool and catchy as hell. Definitely better than Concrete And Gold. The show and the cities concept is also great.
Best songs: Something From Nothing, I Am The River, The Feast And The Famine

Only the first song is good

This album feels like a pretty big gimmick overall, with each song referencing the music scene of the city that the song was recorded in (8 songs, 8 cities), and you usually have to watch the show they released alongside the album to understand the references. Sonically this album has some high points however, such as the track "I am a River"

I felt Wasting Light was a really good effort, this one though despite the cool concept felt a lot more forgettable unfortunately. Still solid, but not great

From RoundTheBend 06/11/2016 23:47 | #168484

When I first heard this I wasn't terribly excited by it, it was good, but a bit too classic rock/formulaic. It's since grown on me past that and watching the documentary exploded my understanding of it and appreciation of it. There's rumor of a European version, but I agree, it'd be nice if Foo started doing something unique... then again that's not Foo... they aren't the artsy type... they are the kick your ass amazing rockers.

By the way, the Zack Brown guitar solo is AMAZING!!! It first almost sounds like an organ... and then just blows my mind. I wish the mix made it a bit louder above the rest, but still good.

Grohl comes up with clever idea of writing a song about each city he visits. Synopsis?

Like communist Russia, cool concept but poor execution.

None of the cities influence the sound. Its more like 8 cities visit David Grohl. And forget what a melody is along the way.

Pass

Wasted Light before it gave them wiggle room to try something different like they did here but they need a bounceback

Surely among the best of the year. Still going on the radios. Good album from a good band.