It’s an exhibition of just what a simply, fundamentally good band Foo Fighters are, and how skilled with a tune and a melody Dave Grohl is. You couldn’t call it stripped back as such, but its less hectic nature throws things into slightly sharper focus.
An essential listen for fans and a fair introduction for newcomers, Medicine at Midnight feels like the rare late-career release that genuinely earns its spots within the legacy setlist.
If you are cool with the lighter, quirkier, goofier version of Foo Fighters, you'll enjoy Medicine at Midnight for what it is – a fun, pop-rock album -- and it'll find its way to about the middle of your list of favorite Foo Fighters albums.
Medicine at Midnight isn't good because of the ways it pushes the envelope, but because of how upholds the band's status as rock torchbearers. This is the Foos doing what they do best.
Their 10th album, Medicine at Midnight, adds very little to their extensive catalog of interchangeable power pop and hard-rock sing-alongs. But you can’t hang them on their own music, because Foo Fighters would never dare to give you enough rope to do it.
Those in the "I want my band to always sound like my favorite album of theirs" crowd will likely be disappointed with this Foo and that's tooThose in the "I want my band to always sound like my favorite album of theirs" crowd will likely be disappointed with this Foo and that's too bad, because this is a really enjoyable album. The songs breeze by, and the band feels like they are having a blast. The arrangements, the backup singers, the drumming (Taylor is the star of this record), the "Let's Dance"-era Bowie vibe to some of the tunes... it all makes for a great listen. It's not as meaty as some other Foo albums, so we'll see if it has staying power. But if you're looking for a "we're gettin' the hell out of this pandemic and having some fun" rock record, this more than fits the bill!…Expand
For all the positive things you can say about Dave Grohl, who genuinely seems like a cool dude, Foo Fighters are ultimately now a derivitiveFor all the positive things you can say about Dave Grohl, who genuinely seems like a cool dude, Foo Fighters are ultimately now a derivitive stadium rock band. Check out their greatest hits and its packed with some of the best (albeit safest) radio rock tracks of the 90's and 00's. That came out in 2009 though and while it was followed up by the vital "Wasting Light", that record aside, they have added little to their back catalog to justify a volume 2. It happens the best of them I guess but unlike U2 or even Coldplay, Foo Fighters have retained their ability to sell out stadiums without ever pushing the envelope. That is not to say this, album number 10 is bad. It's not. It's a highly listenable 40 minutes of fun Dad rock. The songs aren't bad (I really like chilled "Chasing Birds") and there is a lot worse music out there for sure but "Medicine at Midnight" lacks bite and ambition but it is succinct and as a result doesn't outstay its welcome. Grohl hasn't needed to prove his rock royalty status in decades and perhaps this kind of music is the result.…Expand
It's definitely not a bad album. There are definitely songs that I really love, and nothing on the album is too unpleasant for me. However,It's definitely not a bad album. There are definitely songs that I really love, and nothing on the album is too unpleasant for me. However, that's been a standard for the Foo Fighters since 2005, and everything that it does in attempts to stand out ends up negatively affecting the album as a whole. The sound quality, while unique and somewhat effective for a party setting, just makes me fidget in my seat (maybe recording a rock album in a haunted house wasn't the brightest idea). The verses are always worse than the choruses, as is standard for anthemic rock, but inverse to standard for the Foo Fighters, so it's a little disappointing. The god-forsaken stock backing vocals get old halfway through Making a Fire and persist throughout the entire album. The fact that it only has 9 songs is baffling to me; on Sonic Highways they at least had a reasonable excuse, but they've been sitting on this album for a year and still decided against making the expected amount for a Foo Fighters album. Notice how often I compare it to previous Foo Fighters albums; on its own, it has a new and fairly compelling sound, and deserves at least a cult following. I do certainly enjoy listening to this album, and every song is at least a 6 in my book, but I don't believe it's the direction the Foo Fighters should continue to take in the future.…Expand
I like the song "Waiting on a War", the only song that sounds like Foo Fighters, to me. The rest sounds like they are trying every pop, andI like the song "Waiting on a War", the only song that sounds like Foo Fighters, to me. The rest sounds like they are trying every pop, and hoping something sticks. Lyrics are simplified, sound undercooked. The music sound uninspired and lacks feeling. They have lost their way since the last 3-4 albums.…Expand
Whatever it is it sure is hot garbage. I doubt anyone will listen to this album or any single from itIs this even Foo Fighters anymore?
Whatever it is it sure is hot garbage. I doubt anyone will listen to this album or any single from it more than once. These critics are being incredibly generous....There are so many people doing way better pop funk than this if that is what Foo is transforming into.…Expand
