The Colour and the Shape

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Album

The Colour and the Shape · On Foo Fighters' first album, Dave Grohl still played almost everything himself. For the follow-up he brought in guitarist Pat Smear, bassist Nate Mendel and drummer William Goldsmith, so that the album became the first record actually made as a band. Producer Gil Norton, known for his work with the Pixies, was to give it more pop gloss. The first sessions at Bear Creek Studio in Washington went badly, and almost everything was thrown away. In Hollywood the band re-recorded most of it in early 1997, now with Grohl himself behind the drums. Goldsmith left shortly afterwards.

The lyrics are mostly about Grohl's divorce in 1996. The running order of the tracks is meant as a therapy session, with fast songs and ballads side by side. Monkey Wrench, Everlong and My Hero became the singles. Critics saw it as an important American rock record of its time.

Listening

• 
  Everlong · Foo Fighters, 1997
  Apple Music ↗
• 
  Monkey Wrench · Foo Fighters, 1997
  Apple Music ↗
• 
  My Hero · Foo Fighters, 1997
  Apple Music ↗

Track list

1. 1Doll1:24Apple Music ↗
2. 2Monkey Wrench3:51Apple Music ↗
3. 3Hey, Johnny Park!4:08Apple Music ↗
4. 4My Poor Brain3:33Apple Music ↗
5. 5Wind Up2:31Apple Music ↗
6. 6Up In Arms2:16Apple Music ↗
7. 7My Hero4:20Apple Music ↗
8. 8See You2:27Apple Music ↗
9. 9Enough Space2:36Apple Music ↗
10. 10February Stars4:49Apple Music ↗
11. 11Everlong4:11Apple Music ↗
12. 12Walking After You5:04Apple Music ↗
13. 13New Way Home5:40Apple Music ↗
14. 14The Colour And The Shape3:24Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

See also

• Kurt Cobain
• Nirvana