November 2nd 1999 – 2 months before the millennium bug is set to completely decimate the developed world and 12 years until the Mayan calendar ends and destroys what the bug left behind. We all need something to pick us up and get us through this final stretch and as luck would have it Foo Fighters rose to the challenge and have put out their third studio album There is Nothing Left To Lose. Three albums in and three line ups, with the latest change being the addition of 27 year old Taylor Hawkins on drums. Is this the final ingredient needed to turn Foo Fighters in to a permanent fixture in the Rock big leagues for decades to come? Or will Foo Fighters forever be known as a three album side project of Nirvanas drummer Dave Grohl?

Hawkins or not, there is no missing the drums on this record from the outset. Stacked Actors opens with a thunderous, pounding heart beat incredibly reminiscent of Grohl’s own style begging the question of whether he took the reigns on this one. The entire opening track has a much grungier and overall heavier sound than much of the previous two records. This doesn’t necessarily continue throughout but it does work as an impressive introduction to let us know Foo Fighters are in the room. The sequencing and flow from track to track is really very impressive on There is Nothing Left To Lose and the movement from Stacked Actors to Breakout is brilliantly defined by the short vocal introduction of that second track. It is then the drums, again, that mark the breakdown like a punch to the chest before the first chorus. The heavier guitar sound here contrasts nicely against Grohl’s relatively clean vocals delivering what is essentially incredibly catchy pop rock melodies.

The album ebbs and flows in all the right places through Learn To Fly, an uplifting (no pun intended) rock ballad to Gimme Stitches with its infectious riffs. A good place to hop off is Aurora that is so sleepy and other worldly yet equally powerful with an unexpected rhythm and stunning guitar tone. One of the most original tunes by Foo Fighters to date.

Ain’t It The life harkens back to the experimental days of The Colour And The Shape with a more lounge act feel to it but in the most positive way. On the whole the second half of the record does tend to give off a gentler, more soothing vibe that is thoroughly welcomed. The album closes with M.I.A that takes that previous sentiment and ramps it up to 11 with its reverbed chords and distant vocals. Even the mellower songs though still have a very noticeable focus on the drums which may be the result of a massively accomplished drummer as their frontman. This gives the Foo’s a very characteristic sound culminated by clean and prominent, hard hitting drum parts closely followed by Grohl’s vocal approach which has wonderful variety and exudes great control at both ends of his spectrum.

There Is Nothing Left To Lose is, in my opinion, a cover to cover classic. Grohl has been both finding his sound with his first two records as well as refining his song writing and this record showcases his accomplishments in those two fields. Every track here is built on such a strong and memorable melody you will be humming them for days after hearing. The song structures are close to perfection for mass appeal and radio play. Grohl knows what he is doing and he is doing it well. The drums are faultless, the guitar has developed a truly recognisable sound and I can’t wait to see what happens next.