Following on from the more subdued elements introduced on the second disc of last years "In Your Honour" set we have this, an acoustic live document of a show from that album's resultant American tour earlier this year. The show in question being at the Panteges Theatre in Los Angeles.

Now I make no apologies (pun intended) for several Nirvana references that will inform this review. There's absolutely no way that anyone familiar with Mr Grohl's pre-Foos employment can ignore the comparisons. I would go as far as to say that he has invited them, especially as this album sees a reunion with Pat Smear, originally brought in as a second guitarist by Nirvana for touring in their later days and who performed on "MTV Unplugged" released in 1994, and briefly in Foo Fighters (for "The Colour And The Shape") and now back in the fold for this record, coincidence? Perhaps. Avoidable? Definitely.

There's no way that this album was ever going to be able to stand alongside Nirvana's seminal acoustic live set, the aforementioned "MTV Unplugged", in importance. Doubtless this wasn't ever the intention behind Skin And Bones either but historical factors mean that inevitably there will be a direct assessment of one against the other.

Where Nirvana took a fledgling unplugged format and imbued their performance with a gravitas that has, as yet, never been surpassed and also mixed in some genuinely affecting covers (Leadbellys "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" especially) Foo Fighters merely give us an acceptable take on established standards (the relatively unknown Nirvana b-side "Marigold" aside) and not a lot else. The acoustic versions here, while passable, never outstripping their original versions.

The main problem I have with this release is more of a why? I can't see that there is an overwhelming desire from either the public at large or Foo fighters fans particularly to have this document of the band, a full Foos electric set may have been a different proposition however. As it is this is one for completists only. A very disappointing release.

Let us know your views on 'Skin & Bones'

Track List

Razor
Over And Out
Walking After You
Marigold
My Hero
Next Year
Another Round
Big Me
Cold Day In The Sun
Skin And Bones
February Stars
Times Like These
Friend Of A Friend
Best Of You
Everlong

Line UP

Dave Grohl - Guitars/Vocals
Nate Mendel - Bass
Chris Shiflett - Guitar
Taylor Hawkins - Drums