Skin and Bones [LP] in Bloomington, MN

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
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. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine