Back at college in Indiana I went to my first rock concert and it was amazing. The Foo Fighters opening up for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The Foo Fighters were in the middle of promoting their 1999 album, There Is Nothing Left To Lose, and I was all over it. “Learn To Fly” was one of my favorite songs of 1999. Since college I have morphed more into a pop music fan, gradually moving away from the “alternative rock” genre. This doesn’t mean that I have lost all appreciation for quality rock music and I still count the Foo Fighters amongst my favorite bands.
November 3rd sees the release of Greatest Hits, a collection of 16 songs including two new tracks produced by Butch Vig – “Wheels,” and “Word Forward” as well as a previously unreleased acoustic version of “Everlong,” off of the bands 1997 album, The Colour and the Shape. Lead single, “Wheels” peaked at #2 on the Billboard Rock Songs Chart, #3 on Billboard’s Alternative Songs Chart and debuted at #73 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart, the band’s highest charting single since 2007’s “The Pretender.” Internationally, the single peaked at 21, 22, and 24 in Australia, Sweden and in the UK respectively. Not too shabby boys. “Wheels” hit the radio
on September 23rd and made it’s live debut at the White House as part of the Independence Day celebration.
Both of the new songs are quintessential Foo Fighters and while I haven’t bought any of their albums since There Is Nothing Left To Lose, after previewing this hits compilation, I’m tempted to go back and listen to what I’ve missed all of these electro-pop filled years. Their Greatest Hits record might be just the ticket. The CD will also be available in a deluxe version featuring an exclusive book and DVD with videos and live performances. Pick it up on November 3rd.
Fun Fact: “Learn To Fly” is my favorite song to sing on Rock Band.
Tracklisting:
1. All My Life
2. Best Of You
3. Everlong
4. The Pretender
5. My Hero
6. Learn To Fly
7. Times Like These
8. Monkey Wrench
9. Big Me
10. Breakout
11. Long Road To Ruin
12. This Is A Call
13. Skin And Bones
14. Wheels
15. Word Forward
16. Everlong (Acoustic Version)
Check out the Foo Fighters on the web: