1997 Foo Fighters Record Ranked Among the Best Rock Albums of All Time

Out of the 11 studio albums released by Foo Fighters, there’s one album that still holds its weight after 29 years. Their first full-band album that released in 1997, was ranked as one of the top Rock Albums of all time.

Last year, ShortList released its extensive 50-entry list of the best rock albums. It included obvious rock legends like Metallica, Def Leppard, The Cure, Aerosmith, and more, with Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon ranking in at No. 1.

Among the list was none other than Foo Fighters, with their album The Colour And The Shape landing the No. 48 spot. ShortList reviewed the album as “a classic record, packed full of great songs, both heavy (the peerless Everlong) and gentle (Walking After You).” They also commented, “turned out the drummer’s songs were pretty good after all, then.

RELATED: Beloved Radiohead Track Gets New Life Nearly 30 Years After Its Release

The said drummer is none other than Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, with the album’s creation having a unique storyline behind it, giving its ranking more significance.

The Colour and the Shape was Foo Fighters’ first full-band album, featuring guitarist Pat Smear, bassist Nate Mendel, drummer Taylor Hawkins, who replaced William Goldsmith, and Grohl on lead vocals and guitar. Smear left the band soon after due to touring exhaustion and was replaced by Gil Norton.

Grohl had previously released the 1995 self-titled debut under the Foo Fighters name, writing and recording it entirely on his own before assembling a full band.

Foo Fighters’ first self-titled album was released after the demise of Nirvana, where Grohl was the lead drummer. Grohl has previously explained he did it as a cathartic experience after the death of Nirvana iconKurt Cobain.

The Colour And The Shape ended up being recognized as the Foo Fighters’ debut as a full band. It became the highest-selling album of the year and 1998, with it having been nominated for Best Rock Album at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards.

“Everlong,” “Monkey Wrench,” and “My Poor Brain” were among the singles included in the album and helped define the post-grunge genre.