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Dec 09, 2009 Web Exclusive By Frank Valish

It’s interesting how the music that was “alternative” during the ‘90s has become the classic rock of today. This phenomenon is most apparent with Pearl Jam, their songs now seeming almost as much a staple of classic rock radio as, say, Led Zeppelin. However, in terms of sound and sentiment, one of the bands whose true ethos seems closest to that of classic rock fare is Foo Fighters. Each of the band’s albums, dating back to the mid-‘90s, has played with the classic rock and roll template, while at the same time supposedly being marketed as something “alternative.” And the band’s recent Greatest Hits offering is proof positive. Sure, early singles like “This Is A Call,” the opening track of the band’s debut, possessed more of the certain flailing punk edge that was so apparent in lead Foo Dave Grohl’s previous band. But on the same album was the sunshiney pop of “Big Me” (listening to it today, one can still practically see Pat Smear flashing that deranged Footos smile). Of the rest—“Learn to Fly,” “Best of You,” “The Pretender,” “Long Road to Ruin,” “Times Like These,” etc.—these songs fit better alongside The Who, Led Zeppelin, and Deep Purple than they do Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, and Nirvana. Even the two new songs included in this collection, “Wheels” and “Word Forward,” seem closer cousins to Tom Petty than anything grunge. What Greatest Hits brings into clearer focus is how Foo Fighters have always been somewhat out of place and perhaps mischaracterized. It also shows how solid the band’s catalog of tunes is, and how well it has stood the test of time. That is, if you like classic rock. (www.foofighters.com)

Author rating: 7/10