For a band consistently heralded as the leaders of modern rock, Dave Grohl’s Foo Fighters never progress enough to merit that title. They consistently offer up a platter of fun, easily digestible rock music built with arena anthems in mind, and nothing has changed with their latest EP, “Saint Cecilia,” which delivers exactly what their fans would expect, devoid of any risk.
“Saint Cecilia” presents five tracks in its short eighteen minute running time, offering a shot of the band’s signature energy without being overbearing. Such a focused effort is liable to crack under the slightest weight of filler, however, and unfortunately that is the case here.
“Sean,” a generic melodic rocker, is overly formulaic despite its use of cowbell and has an immemorable chorus. “Rooster” is even more problematic, providing the album a requisite quieter track but crumbling under awkward lyrics and bland musicianship. Grohl has proven to be adept at solemn tracks before, but “Rooster” lacks the experimentation and build-up which made songs like “I Should Have Known” off of 2011’s “Wasting Light” a success.
Thankfully, the other three tracks manage to pack enough of a punch to warrant a listen. The title track and closer, “The Neverending Sigh,” are typical Foo Fighters offerings, but the riffs and choruses have enough hooks to warrant real interest. The album’s true highlight, however, is sandwiched right in the middle of the album. “Savior Breath” opens with a fast and dirty guitar riff, which wouldn’t be out of place on a 1970s Motörhead album, and prominently displays Grohl’s vocals at their roughest. It’s brisk, it’s sleazy, it’s probably the closest the Foo Fighters will ever get to speed metal, and it’s a blast.
“Saint Cecilia” is a nicely-polished offering showing Grohl’s talent. It’s short enough to leave an impact without overstaying its welcome, and its slick production makes it instantly accessible and enjoyable for casual radio rock fans while still packing a punch. Only three-fifths of the EP is worth returning to – perhaps the Foo Fighters won’t return to the unexpected heights they hit with 2011’s “Wasting Light.” At the very least, the tunes they churn out should make for consistently enjoyable concerts in the future.
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