W/e 01/05/26 - Foo Fighters, Noah Kahan, White Denim, Metric, Placebo

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A middling week, no great moves made in our chart.

Congrats to the Foos though who are our winners and have the TOTW.

Our 3rd Foos review, this one is in the middle and a fair few places back from their 2023 offering which sits at #50.

And a 3rd ‘new’ review for Metric - this one is the least favourite

Adam has his first 😊 of the year, only his 2nd ever, thanks to a rare trio of 8s. Simon takes the ☹️.

Placebo land inside the classics top 50, next to Moby and Bloc Party.

Andy

Foo Fighters - The Foos are always reliable and this is a standard rock out 8

Noah Kahan - We’re a Noah house and this continues the great work he did on Stick Season. The addition of Aaron Dessner on production duties gives it that Folklore feel that you’d expect. Cracking 8

Metric - Consistently decent this lot. As I’ve said before I should listen to them more, this one feels a bit poppier than previous outings, no notes 7

White Denim - What a mad album. Starts with a blues explosion and ends up like 79s Stevie Wonder by way of Kokomo/Jimmy Buffett. Quite fun though 6

TotW - End of August by Noah Kahan

Placebo - Super enjoyable especially with the hits although it does get a bit too experimental at times 7.5

Guy

Foo Fighters – Pretty classic stuff from the Foos. Not much more to say. It’s a little heavy in places for my taste (particularly early on) but they’re undeniably good – 7.8

Noah Kahan – A cross between Bob Dylan and Tracey Chapman! He actually delivers a pretty good brand of Folk Pop. Not usually my cuppa but actually enjoyed it. Scored down for being far, far too long though – 7.5

Metric – A bit difficult to pigeon hole the sound. It’s got a touch of 80s electro about it but is rockier in some places and popier in others. Like a Chvches-lite. Decent listen without knocking my socks off - 7

White Denim – Eclectic stuff this. Starts of with Jack White style blues rock but then progresses through Chromeo style funk and even a bit of Country and Western. Some might say it was all over the place but I found the variety quite engaging. – 7.3

TOTW – Your Favourite Toy – Foo Fighters

Placebo – A banging album. Love his voice – so distinctive and the tunes are great too. Really enjoyable listen. Whilst described as a London band, I didn’t realise they’re Belgian and Swedish! – 8.5

Phil (New)

Foo Fighters 7.3

No Everlong on here. Enjoyable, typical Foo Fighters sound, nothing really stood out but a decent album non the less.

Metric 7

Felt like a lot of borrowed sounds that I couldn't quite place. Antigravity was great, sounds like Blondie with the Cure. Definitely some Bronski Beat in Moral Compass.

Noah Kahan 6.8

Undoubtedly a great voice. Listened to this out on the bike and found it decent but too long and all a bit samey, to the point that when the album started over I didn't notice till half way through the second listen, doh!

White Denim 7.1 Interesting mix of styles. Started strong with God created lock and key and Chew Nails, wasn't so keen on some of the middle funky numbers.

TOTW Metric - Antigravity

Placebo 9.2

Superb record, one of my favourites, love their angsty sound with a constant sense of urgency. The drumming has an almost out of time groove which is fantastic.

Justin

Foo Fighters - I somehow miss the Foo magic. One, admittedly good song, repeated endlessly on each album. 6

Metric - Enjoyable indie synth and plenty of variety. Maybe missing a bit of magic. 6.8

Noah Kahan - I like a bit of quality acoustic folk and despite its length this has had several listens. 7.5

White Denim - Elements of Steve Miller band and yacht rock. Quietly enjoyable. 6.9

TOTW Noah Kahan - Dan

Placebo -Not sure I have ever listened to the whole album before. Definitely a go to album for crunchy distorted guitar sounds. 7

Mark D

Foo Fighters - Quality songs individually throughout but suffers w just feeling too similar at times. When it varied was good but otherwise, nothing blew me away as some of their other standout tracks do.. 6.75

Metric - Indie pop vibes w some unexpected twists. Liked the keyboards giving an 80s feel. Couple of weaker tracks in middle but all immediately catchy and had multiple listens in it.. 7.5

Noah Kahan - Quality in the songs and production. It sounds great and I dont mind strings helping it all feel quite grand at times. But 17 tracks is too much for an album. Willing and Able, Porchlight and All them Horses stood out but otherwise struggled to get too excited. 7

White Denim - Not what I would choose but really liked the energy and blues ish feel. Great mix of tunes that all felt distinct (perhaps all of the "feat.") but still part of the same(?). Lost a bit of energy second half. Credit for getting "Heaven to Betsy" into a song. Felt like a soundtrack to a summer evening w a beer. 7.25

TOTW - Time is a Bomb - Metric

Placebo - Not that familiar w them and worried his voice might grate but really top album. Liked the discord sound, different moods and instrumental sections. "IQ - Nancy - I Know" back to back were brilliant. 8

Jim

Foo Fighters 7.5

Never been sure where I land with these chaps, but tbf this is a rollicking good ride

Metric 7

I’m a big fan. This feels a little lighter than most of their previous and lacks the bangers , but enjoyable synth-rock nonetheless

Noah Kahan 7

He has a nice Americana-pop vibe , decent tunes. Clearly could have been snappier , although it doesn’t drag as much as I feared . One listen only though

White Denim 6

Suffered from tackling too many styles. The Black Keys lite moments were OK.

TOTW: FF - Shoe Shine

Placebo 9

One of my fav rock albums. Starts off with a wallop and is littered with massive tunes. 36 Degrees and Nancy Boy are tremendous . Just a shame it ends with a bit of whimper

Sam

Foo Fighters. They can do no wrong . Full of bangers . 8.5

Metric : I’ve always loved Emilys voice .great album as usual , full of passion . 8.2

Noah Kahan : Bob Dylan my arse ! It’s pretty average folk pop that went on so long I grew a beard . 5

White Denim : bonkers ! Some good, some bad , some odd . 6.6

TOTW : I noted 3 possible from Foo Fighters and 2 from Metric . I’ll go with Your Favourite Toy by Foo Fighters

Placebo : great band and a great album . Love his voice , with fabulous guitars . He encapsulated the whole androgynous 90’s thing so well . 9

Simon

Foo Fighters: they make a decent racket and I can understand why they're popular, but I just can't get that excited by Foo Fighters - it's all a bit one-dimensional and perfunctory if you ask me. 6

Noah Kahan: he's got an interesting voice and it's nicely written, but nothing really captured my attention until the last track Dan and by then I'd more than had my fill. 6

Metric: forgotten that we'd reviewed their last two albums - I remember Doomscroller from Formentera being a banger but there isn't anything here as good as that, the closest is Antigravity which reminds me of Ladytron. Otherwise thought it was a tad lightweight compared to previous offerings. 6.5

White Denim: Lock and Key is a cracking opener but sadly not typical of the album as a whole - that said, it's a reasonably engaging and slightly bonkers blend of rock, funk, C&W, etc with Earth To being the only real clunker. 7

TotW: White Denim - Lock and Key

Placebo: familiar with Nancy Boy but didn't pay them any more attention at the time as wasn't a fan of his voice - this is a solid listen, Bruise Pristine is a banger but not sufficiently taken with it to go back for more. 7.5

Mark KE

Foo Fighters - a short sharp blast of classic Foos, massive loud production, earth shattering vocals and soaring choruses. I guess he can keep on churning this out ad infinitum, and why not, mostly it's good stuff - 7

Noah Kahan - some nice atmospherics but it's all just a bit Mumfords for me and too samey over an hour and a quarter, with very little variation in pace and arrangement. Like, does it never occur to him when he's writing all these songs in the same strummy 3/4 time signature that they might be sounding a teensy bit similar - 5.5

Metric - was looking forward to this but it didn't grab me as much as the last one we did, sounded a bit more commercial and poppy I thought - 6

White Denim - all sorts going on here, all of it eminently diggable, bits of Beck, T-Rex, Black Keys, and Prince, one of my favourite albums of the year so far - 8.5

TOTW - Chew Nails, by White Denim

Phil (OG)

Foo Fighters 7.2

Solid collection of loud rock songs. The second half (or side, if you’re thinking vinyl) is slightly less frantic and therefore better, especially Child actor and Asking for a friend.

Metric 5.5

Spectacularly dull. Reminiscent in places of some of those awful synth pop groups of the 80s, like A Flock of Seagulls. One of those albums that, once heard, disappears without trace. Thank heavens.

Noah Kahan 6.8

I was expecting to enjoy this but … there are plenty of earnest singer-songwriters out there and while Kahan has a pleasant voice and can write a sharp lyric there’s nothing here to lift him up the ranks. Even were this album half the length I suspect I’d still feel the same.

White Denim 7.3

The work of seasoned professionals, the sort of musicians that can – and here, do – turn their hands to pretty much any style of music. The kind of band that may never reach the Premier League but will usually make the Championship playoffs.

TOTW – Foo Fighters – Child actor

Classic

Placebo 8.5

I always enjoyed what I heard by Placebo. The singles were great so why I never bothered with this album I really don’t know. Anyway, I thought this was excellent – skewed, unnerving and catchy, just the way I likes ‘em

Annette

Foo Fighters: 7.5

Noah Kahan: 6

Metric: 7

White Demin: 7.5

TOTW: Time is a Bomb by Metric

Classic: Placebo - 7.5

Paul

Foo Fighters (8)

Like the Foo Fighters and this is a decent foos album without breaking much/any new ground. enjoyed it a lot.

Metric (7)

Enjoyable synth indie, one of those that grew on me with each listen. Thought Antigravity & Tremola were highlights.

Noah Kahan (6.5)

Did enjoy it overall, has a decent voice with some decent tunes. Struggled a bit to find time to listen in one sitting, maybe just too much of a good thing?

White Denim (8)

It’s hard to pin down and got through plenty of genres but did them all pretty well. Enjoyed that.

TOTW - White Denim, Chew Nails

Placebo (8.5)

Not heard it for ages. Great guitars & unique voice. Teenage Angst is the highlight for me. An excellent listen.

Carlo

Foo Fighters – 6.2

A good mix of tight, well-executed songs, and it’s clear why they have such a big following. I just need a few more ballads to break up the heaviness : /

Noah Kahan – 7.5

Easy, enjoyable, inoffensive listening. I know he’s a little popular with the kids, which no doubt knocks off a few points, but I still liked it.

Metric – 7.2

A unusual vocal to music mix that works well. All round a good listen, no real stand out though.

White Denim – 6.6

Started off on the wrong foot, but soon made it back to stability. That said, there were a few direction changes in there to keep me on my toes, but even with all that going on, I never really got a full grip on it.

TOTW: Noah Kahan – The Great Divide

Classic: Placebo – 7.8

As with many of the classic choices, I’m glad to have had the chance to listen to the full album. A nice, distinctive sound.

Adam

Foo Fighters

Sometimes you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. More top stadium rock from the Foos. Not quite the heights of their 00’s stuff but highly enjoyable. 8

Noah Kahan

Thought this was a good 96 minutes of country. He’s got a top voice. 8

Metric

I just generally love this band. Back with their indie/synth/80s upbeat sound again. Inspired a full relisten of Fantasies. 8

White Demin

Very interesting sound. Rocky funkabilly? Hugely entertaining to listen to something so different from the usual tropes. 7

TOTW - Tremolo - Metric

Classic

Placebo are one of the best bands when it comes to angsty/slightly depressive alt-rock sound, but they do so with energy. Nancy Boy is an absolute hit. 30 year tour on later this year, might have to be a goer. 9

Erol

Foo Fighters - I’m a fan of the Foos and this is more solid heavy rock from them. No stand out tracks though which is a bit of a shame. 7.5

Metric - I love her voice but was disappointed with this. It’s sadly limp and lacking in bite. Bring back Doomscroller, please. 6.5

Noah Kahan - enjoyable folksy, rootsy tunes from a clearly talented singer-songwriter. I just wish the album wasn’t so long. 7.3

White Denim - the front half had some interesting 70s sounding funky, foot tapping tracks. The second half loses its way and goes all experimental. Still, not bad at all. 6.5

TOTW - Crossfyre, White Denim.

Placebo - perfect alternative indie guitars with a sublime angst-ridden voice and lyrics. Nancy Boy and Bruise Pristine are crackers. I wish they would release another album. Quite brilliant. 9

Matt

Foo Fighters - 7.8

Metric - 7.7

Noah Kahan - 7

White Denim - 6.8

TOTW Tremelo, Metric