Skin and Bones

by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Given that the Foo Fighters released a double-album comprised of one electric record and one acoustic album, it's no surprise that they performed several acoustic concerts on its supporting tour. One of these, a stop at the Pantages Theater in Los Angeles, is documented on the 2006 live album Skin and Bones album, which culls 15 highlights from the show. Although the Foo Fighters are performing on acoustics and are buttressed by such guest musicians as Petra Haden and Dave Grohl's former Nirvana running partner Pat Smear, the band doesn't sound radically different here, nor do they reinvent their material: they merely play their music, culled largely from the last album plus the hits, with the skill of professionals and the heart of true believers, which makes this an engaging show if not necessarily a truly compelling one. Part of the problem is that the production is too crisp and clean, which only accentuates the group's seamless performances: there may be grit in Grohl's voice, but not in how it's recorded. This isn't a deal-breaker, but it makes an album that could have been special into one that is merely good. One for the fans, then.