After watching i think the points you make are pretty fair, it's hard to catch magic in a bottle and try to do it consistently every year. I think especially with the latest one while it for sure felt that Andrew was steering the album a little bit but outside of the fact that Rob's health was impacting him. I also think a major thing is just that Rob isn't singing a lot on the tracks, Andrews got a more powerful voice as a singer but I feel like Rob's voice doesn't get a lot of credit in comparison. However, I feel personally Robs Musicianship is all over the album when he is able to contribute and work with Andrew. Also to note I think just the way they've changed the process to get as many songs done - while efficient, the latest was probably one of the fastest they've done to complete a list of songs and then tidy them up at the end. I think the fact that they kept separating to make up for the time that they lose by going over/under with their time is what kinda makes some of the songs not have the same spirit as when they just jam and say "whats there is there, lets keep going". I think G.R.E.G is a pretty great example of having them in a space with a lot of options to do things but have them both equally put themselves in the forefront and have enough space to be with each other and apart when needed. I personally love them all the same honestly since I've just been a huge fan of Rob and Andrew separately for so long to begin with. I know for a KZread video having them write the song in a day and improv everything is a great thing to watch as a musician personally. But I would love to see a serious collab between Andrew and Rob where they keep the spirit of FOO and give themselves a week to write and then just put it out. Same idea of a time limit and what's out is out but I feel like it would help them just weed things out and just make some really great stuff with both of them at full force. tldr - cool video, i like F.O.O too

@idlehi

6 ай бұрын

yeah then they can make 10 songs every day, 70 songs total in a week and just pick the 10 best ones lol

@jordanezell5132

5 ай бұрын

That’s an interesting idea.

poor rob, he was very very tired on this last one... even being like this, and with his medical problem, he still was able to be there at least. even if he contributed a little less because of this, I he's done more than he realised, I love Pretty Raw so much, I think it's the most beautiful FOO song so far. also, andrew really popped off on this one, his vocals and his happy and very energetic ideas made for some songs on this last one that are so fun to listen to. I love this last one. also, bookmobile from G.R.E.G. has a really special place to me because of the nu metal influence. adrew screaming for the first time was crazy and one last thing: the first album is really special and one of the most memorable for me too, I totally agree with you there. the fact that it's so simple and kind of raw sounding kinda adds to the vibe of everything

@dylanburton4955

Ай бұрын

Tbh Rob contributed alot more to album 5 then he thought he did and while it was really sad to see Rob going through a hard time, it gave us Usually which I really love for its raw honesty

Good video. My favorite album of there’s is Across the Road. Theres a lot of songs on there that really just feel amazing and empowering. Second for me is Gotta Record Everything Good. Others I don’t necessarily care for but I’m gonna be honest if they sold these as CDs and vinyls (not sure if they do) I’d buy every one of them and collect it, they do got some good music

@idlehi

2 ай бұрын

I think they sold physical on release every time since G.R.E.G. not sure if it's still available rn tho

For me, G.R.E.G and Chaos are the S tiers

Very fair. This years video was hard to watch. It didn’t feel spontaneous and didn’t have the same bounce. Love Rob and Andrew. They do things I wish I could do.

I don't think your analysis of Ravioli is fair because it seems that you attribute it's quality to your interpretation of Robs and Andrews feelings on the album, which is a false comparison. How they felt about the album does not automatically determine the quality of the music. That feeling of anxiety you describe I actually think is what makes that album work, it gives it a kinda intensity that makes the album breeze by. It's such a great collection of music to play when you need that kind of intense energy. I think you've mistaken chemistry for collaboration. The latest album does not have much collaboration but I certainly wouldn't say the chemistry is lacking. I think it represents an interesting conversation between the mind sets of the 2 guys, shifting between a kind of wistfulness in Robs songs along with a drive for him to want to create something fun, tied with Andrew almost constrasting that simplicity with complexity which you can hear in the arrangements. It presents as 2 friends almost filling in where their counterpart is lacking, the context of them as friends and of where they are in their lives during that recording I'd say certainly translates into chemistry as a whole project.

@wurrbm

4 ай бұрын

the video from the last album kinda makes me sad, Rob was not feeling very well at all and it shows... he was speaking so quietly, and even the songs he made (exept for the haloween one) were not energetic at all (it's not a bad thing, I think Pretty Raw is my favorite FOO song). also, I agree, that last album they really split up much more.

Godlike analysis

Back after listening to the Across the Road a lot and have to say that Rob's absence really brings the songs down. Its really sad to see 1 hour of just Andrew trying to get the best of this opportunity, while there's just no Rob at all. And watching they trying to make a good vibe with Beatles stuff is a little awkward. I love Beatles, love Rob and Andrew, and I adore this project, but we're not in the best moment for this kind of silly songs anymore Btw Magic hits hard, but Usually and Pretty Raw is better than 80% of the album

I love every album but from album 3 onwards they've really nailed it and the albums are alot more well thought out now and you can tell they've really got comfortable with the whole process and I've always loved how diverse every album is in styles and genres and each album they keep finding ways to keep it fresh. And with each album it's been a different process; album 1 had Andrew mainly contributing on drums, album 2 was a bit more of a balance between them both and album's 3 and 4 was pretty well balanced with Andrew doing alot of the lyrics on album 4. And obviously Rob has his health issue with album 5 but he did contribute alot to it and I loved the honesty in his lyrics on Usually. It still blows me away when they pull it off cuz it's not exactly an easy process, Rob and Andrew are extremely talented and their chemistry and friendship is one of my faves on KZread. Album 6 should be a better balance

I haven't watched the video yet, but all I have to say is that Across The Road completely trumps any of their other albums. It feels so much better written than the others and there's really only 1 goofy song and the others are genuinely well written and recorded (live out loud feels a bit bland). One of my favorite albums of all time, no joke.

@thomasr06

5 ай бұрын

When I first heard the album in full after watching the studio video, I was just blown away by it. I’ve liked their previous albums, im not a huge metal guy but still enjoyed them none the less. This album however hit all the right spots for me. Top tier writing and musicianship. And love the more acoustic approach. (And as a Beatles fan it was cool) I can’t believe some of the comments people are making about the album here, but to each their own

without watching the video... i think last year was pretty boring... i can't remember anything of it... and i LOVE First Of October... i was excited since the first album since i knew who both of them were before the whole thing started.

@idlehi

6 ай бұрын

I thought so too, but I changed my mind a bit after listening again

1. Chaos - Just all killer 2. G.R.E.G - So many good ones on this 3. Across The Road - As you said: Half of a letdown, Rob’s energy is missing, the collab energy isn’t there. Andrew kills it tho. 4. Gourmet Ravioli - Has at least some cool songs 5. Ten Hours - Great energy, but the songwriting is not quite where it would go later

@idlehi

2 ай бұрын

ten hours at the bottom is a crime

You know what I think we should try asking Rob and Andrew for: pick a few songs from every album and rework them to sound more complete. Ya know, just give some of the songs a fresh coat of paint.

@idlehi

6 ай бұрын

Nah I'd rather they keep making new stuff, maybe make it less restrictive next time like write ten songs in one day and then polish the arrangements and stuff in a second day

@GregJonson

5 ай бұрын

@@idlehi But then they would've had to change the band name to First & Second Of October, hehe

@idlehi

5 ай бұрын

They can start a production company called "Second of October" that only produces first of october albums

@jordanezell5132

5 ай бұрын

@@idlehi That does sound interesting! 🧐

@jordanezell5132

5 ай бұрын

@@idlehi Because they are still writing the songs in one day and then they can give themselves another to polish the tracks! Your idea sounds pretty cool! 😎

I was thinking about raking the albums literally last night as I couldn’t sleep very well, so I though I’d put my ranking here before watching the video and see how it compares to yours. 5 - CHAOS. This album was firmly at the bottom of my list after a first listenthrough, but a recent relistening of the album has made me like it much more. My main problem is that the rock heavy Halloween-esque tracks do very little for me (though I do like the riff in `Riff Lord’ funnily enough), and they comprise half the album. I remember only liking Good Enough the first time round, but then Love to Say I Love You and especially Find The Way stood out to me on a repeat listen. Still, not quite enough to move it from 5th place. Notable Tracks: Good Enough, Love to Say I Love You, Find The Way 4 - Gotta Record Everything Good. It feels weird putting this album in fourth I won’t lie, as I think its tone is wonderfully goofy and funny, encapsulating that post-lockdown high. Bookmobile and Greg! are two great examples of this. I find it hard to rank this against number 3 as the two album’s tones differ a fair bit. In fact, I could swap this with number 3 quite easily. The gap isn’t a big one. Notable tracks: Feels So Right, Bookmobile, Trick or Treat 3 - Across The Road. Recency bias may play into this (along with the Beatles motif making me a happy Brit) but compared to my first listenthrough of CHAOS I enjoyed Across the Road much more. This style of music speaks more to me than the prior album, and I found the album more consistent in quality than prior ones. So there are more songs I like, but at the same time less of them stand out as the best of the band. I guess that makes 3rd place the perfect spot. Notable tracks: Abby Rowed, Usually, Magic 2 - Ten Hours. I hadn’t relistened to this album for a while, so I wasn’t sure if Ten Hours would slip down my tier list. Whilst I don’t think it’s as strong as I remembered it being, I still love it. It defined the tone of the band, and a few of these pieces are still my favourites. Notable tracks: Rollerbladin’, Don’t Go, Spoilers for Playdead’s Inside 1 - Gourmet Ravioli. This is the only album whose position I didn’t question. Simply put, I love most of the songs on this album. We have iconic pieces like First of October, quirky tracks like Ben Wyatt and sweet songs like Valerie. To me, this album is the band in a nutshell. Notable tracks: Do You Want To?, Valerie, First of October EDIT: Back after watching your vid. I can understand where you're coming from with most of your takes, besides perhaps Gourmet Ravioli. Half the songs you mentioned are some of my faves funnily enough. I also haven't seen the video they made of the album for a while so I never considered the effect it might have. Regardless, great video you made. It's nice to see other people talk about the band as I'm the only person I know that listens to them.

@idlehi

7 ай бұрын

It's interesting how polarising ravioli can be, thanks for sharing your list!

i think across the road their most listenable album, and abbey rowed is the only country themed one on the album

kinda disagree with the 4th album chaos. but overall, good (for me though, i'll probably put chaos in A or S tier. I've been a fan of heavy music and what they made in that album is just mwah *chef kiss)

@idlehi

6 ай бұрын

It keeps growing on me as time passes i must admit

@wurrbm

4 ай бұрын

damn, I don't remenber Chaos at all, but I love heavy music too. I think I'll try to listen to it again

Great job! I review music on my channel and I’ve been thinking of doing a tier list for FOO. I agreed with a lot of your takes other than Ravioli which is better than Chaos in my opinion. But let’s face it: any album where they fail to mention Greg is an instant F tier.

@idlehi

7 ай бұрын

That must make G.R.E.G. your favourite

@TheMusicBandB

7 ай бұрын

@@idlehi I’ve actually just recorded a song tier list for it which will be up on my channel soon. I think Across the Road or Greg are probably favourites. The editing will be worse than yours.

@idlehi

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for the complement:)

Not a fan of their music, but I enjoyed your video nonetheless. Good review, would give it a light “😮” to a strong “😶‍🌫️”

You cannot tell me “good to be back” isn’t an absolute banger. Abby rowed is S tier for sure.

@idlehi

16 күн бұрын

it's a good album it's just not what I expected and not really my vibe

To me, I think every album is better than the last. There are some songs that I think are just alright, but I wouldn't say any of these albums are D tier. The lowest would probably be the first one in C-tier to me, just cause it's so raw and there are some songs I don't like on there.

How dare you disrespect Valerie, that song is so emotionally raw and is 100% the best acoustic ballad they’ve done, everyone I’ve showed it just goes like “dude, woah”

@idlehi

Ай бұрын

wrongest

@popstarlo5217

Ай бұрын

@@idlehi No way, that song is a thing of beauty

Ten Hours is probably the weakest for me, Then Chaos, G.R.E.G, Across The Road and Gourmet Ravioli, I don't dislike any of them, mind, I love all of them

Dorian didn’t wow you? That’s the best song on the album for sure and you didn’t even mention it 😮

@idlehi

3 ай бұрын

I agree its one of the best ones on the album, but I find the lyrics kinda weird if i'm being honest considering its supposed to be a love song to his son it sounds weird to me

Disappointed with your clickbait title, didn't agree with most of your analysis. D tier video 😊 but none of the violence you mentioned

@idlehi

7 ай бұрын

It's not technically clickbait, I do discuss what's in my opinion the worst one lol

@idlehi

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching all the way through tho!!!

@Rex-golf_player810

4 ай бұрын

I don't see how it was clickbait