One by One

by Foo Fighters, Adam Kasper, Raymond Pettibon

Overview

After years of playing the foil for main man Dave Grohl's musical whims, Foo Fighters come together as a band on One by One, and the mix of bulldozer riffs and richly textured pop will sound like nirvana to longtime fans. Where past albums didn't really hold together, One by One is a decidedly organic collection that takes some killer guitar work to the bank, as evidenced by the lead single, "All My Life," "Low," and the squalling "Have It All." Things get a little gnarlier on "Tired of You," an arrhythmic foray that features guest guitar by Queen's Brian May, if nary a peep from drummer Taylor Hawkins. But the album certainly gives the drummer some: Hawkins adds a palpable sense of portent to the Big Country–styled "Times like These" and really cuts loose on the album-ending epic "Come Back" (which sidles up to -- but never really embraces -- '70s-vintage prog). One by One's path to Foo-ition wasn't without its potholes -- it's been two years since their Grammy-winning There Is Nothing Left to Lose -- but the album made it down that road with enough power and shine to raise hopes for future journeys. Initial pressings include a bonus DVD featuring one new song ("The One"), as well as videos for "All My Life" and "Walking a Line" and a slew of other trinkets.

Product Details

Release Date:	10/22/2002
Label:	Rca
UPC:	0078636800820
catalogNumber:	68008
Rank:	27010

Tracks

1. All My Life
2. Low
3. Have It All
4. Times Like These
5. Disenchanted Lullaby
6. Tired of You
7. Halo
8. Lonely as You
9. Overdrive
10. Burn Away
11. Come Back

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Foo Fighters   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Adam Kasper   Producer
Foo Fighters   Composer,Producer
Raymond Pettibon   Artwork,Illustrations
Nick Raskulinecz   Producer,Engineer
Joshua White   Illustrations
Hiro Arishima   Liner Notes
Rupesh Pattni   Graphic Design
Eddie Escalante   Authoring
Kehni Davis   Quality Control

Editorial Reviews

One by One is the most accomplished album Foo Fighters have made, which isn't necessarily the same as the best. Picking up the clean, focused sound and attitude of There Is Nothing Left to Lose, One by One is gleaming hard rock: it may have a shiny production, but hits hard in its rhythm and its impeccably distorted guitars. Dave Grohl's songs often express (or at least suggest) tortured emotions in their lyrics, but the album doesn't hit at a gut-level; it's too polished for that. It's not a bad thing, since the band is damn good and the production is more focused than any of the Foos' previous albums. The problem is, Grohl's songwriting has slipped slightly. It's still sturdy and melodic, yet not as immediate or memorable. Nothing is as majestic as "Learn to Fly," haunting as "Everlong," gut-crunching as "Monkey Wrench," or even as boneheadedly irresistible as their contribution to the Orange County soundtrack, "The One." Instead, it all fits together and sounds good as a piece, without offering individual moments to savor. Not the worst tradeoff, of course, but it's hard not to wish that the songs stuck in your head the way they used to, even if the album is still enjoyable as a whole.

All Music Guide - Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Whatever their genesis, the songs [on One by One] are stronger and broader than autobiography.... Potent guitar riffs define every song.

Rolling Stone - Jon Pareles