In stark contrast to Richard Ashcroft, Dave Grohl has proved that being part of a once all-conquering, now-defunct rock outfit doesn't necessarily mean your career has to nosedive as a result. Rarely allowed out from behind the drums when he was with Nirvana, Grohl has revelled in the chance to prove his songwriting ability ever since that band's demise - and from humble beginnings his new project has gradually developed into a formidable rock'n'roll powerhouse. Two years in the making, One By One finds the Foo Fighters in scintillating form, delivering a host of pop-metal riffs that prove frustratingly hard to dislodge from the memory. It seems that Grohl's recent stint with Queens Of The Stone Age (on their superb album Songs For The Deaf) has proved to be something of a creative watershed, allowing him to re-connect with the primal urges that underpin his lusty brand of tumultuous rock. There's not much variety on offer here, it's true with only a couple of plaintive ballads on hand to balance the onslaught of frenetic guitar jams. Then again, you sense that Grohl isn't really bothered about being a jack of all trades - he's happy to concentrate on what he's good at and he and his band are all the better for it. Highly entertaining.
