Foo Fighters ‘Skin and Bones’ Release Date: Nov. 7 Record Label: RCA Records www.foofighters.com Three Stars

Following closely on the heels of the half-electric, half-acoustic double disc “In Your Honor,” Foo Fighters have returned with the stripped-down and aptly titled “Skin and Bones.”

In the same way that “Unplugged in New York” showed the artistic softer side of Dave Grohl’s last band, Nirvana, “Skin and Bones” elevates Grohl’s singing and songwriting by stripping away the screamed vocals and distorted guitars.

Advertisement

Although “Skin and Bones” is not entirely acoustic, Grohl’s pained voice and melodic guitar strumming works best on the album’s simplest, softest tunes. Spanning the group’s entire catalog, from the self-titled debut to the aforementioned “Honor,” “Skin and Bones” is the rarest of rock oddities – a live album actually worth listening to.

Songs such as the gentle “My Hero,” the accordion-tinged “Another Round” and the acoustic-electric hybrids “February Stars” and “Friend of a Friend” all showcase the musical transition the members of the Foo Fighters have been slowly building toward since their 1994 debut. Where the band once relied almost solely on angst and loud guitars, its newer material is more intricately arranged and pensive. This dynamic is perfectly complemented throughout the live performance.

Songs such as “Big Me,” “Times Like These” and “Everlong” build on this softer aesthetic while allowing Grohl’s vocal range and impassioned delivery to propel the songs. With ringing acoustic chords and a softer rhythm section, Grohl’s lyrics take on subtle nuances that are often lost beneath strained screams and chunky guitar riffs. Many of the tunes that appeared bouncy and upbeat on previous releases come across as morose and haunting when played without the group’s typical bombast.

While it would have been nice to hear softer renditions of hard-edged Foo Fighters material, such as “This is a Call,” “Monkey Wrench,” “Hey, Johnny Park” or “Come Back,” such omissions are definitely forgivable. If Grohl and company were merely aiming to show their softer sides, they succeeded with flying colors on “Skin and Bones,” but such goals are a bit too myopic and simplistic. Thankfully, however, the album typically places Grohl’s voice and lyrics in center stage to wonderful effect.

The Foo Fighters’ music may be getting softer and more contemplative with each album, but “Skin and Bones” proves Grohl can pull off sensitive and understated with aplomb.