Saint Cecilia (EP)

Last updated

Saint Cecilia
Foo Fighters Saint Cecilia EP Vinyl cover.jpg
12" vinyl cover
EP by
Foo Fighters
ReleasedNovember 23, 2015 (2015-11-23)
RecordedOctober 1–11, 2015
StudioHotel Saint Cecilia in Austin, Texas
Genre Rock [1]
Length18:00
Label RCA
Foo Fighters chronology
Songs from the Laundry Room
(2015)		Saint Cecilia
(2015)		 Concrete and Gold
(2017)
Singles from Saint Cecilia
  1. "Saint Cecilia"
    Released: November 23, 2015

Saint Cecilia is an EP by American rock band Foo Fighters. It was released as a free digital download on November 23, 2015. [2] Initially intended as a sign of gratitude to the group's fans, the EP was also dedicated to the victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris. [3] [4] A single from the EP, "Saint Cecilia", peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart in 2016.

Contents

Background and recording

The five song EP was recorded in Austin, Texas, at the Saint Cecilia Hotel during the Austin City Limits festival's two weekends in October 2015. [5] [6] The EP was initially envisioned as a "end-of-the-tour" gift to fans to be given away towards the end of the band's Sonic Highways touring cycle. [5] However, the events of the November 2015 Paris attacks ended up cutting the tour short. [5] The band instead released the EP for free on the internet, on November 23, 2015, in dedication of the Paris attacks. [6] The release, according to frontman Dave Grohl, is meant to "remind us that music is life". [6] The name and release date have significance; Saint Cecilia is the patron saint of music, and November 22 is her respective feast day.

Recorded at the Hotel Saint Cecilia in Austin, Texas, Saint Cecilia was released on November 23. Many of the songs and song parts used in the EP are from unused songs left off past albums. [1] The track "The Neverending Sigh" was originally known under the title "7 Corners", [7] and was originally written alongside tracks for The Colour and the Shape .

Krist Novoselic, who had previously played with Grohl in Nirvana, described Saint Cecilia as Foo Fighters' "statement on how they are the biggest rock band in the world". [8] Novoselic also said that "Saint Cecilia is more straight-ahead rock that is done really well", and went on to say that "I went to the Foo’s last gig at the Moda Center in Portland and they rocked a packed house. I love the drummer Matt Sorum. However, he is so wrong in his statement about danger and the Foo’s somehow lacking it. First off all, I know about danger in rock. I was the bassist in Flipper — and survived! Look at a band like Queen, who totally rocked. They were way more dandy than danger. Queen knows how to rock a stadium. So do the Foo Fighters and you’ll hear big rock on Saint Cecilia". [8]

The vinyl version of the Saint Cecilia EP, featuring an alternative cover, was released on February 19, 2016. [9]

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 76/100 [10]
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [11]
Consequence of Sound B+ [12]
Kerrang! Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [13]
NME 8/10 [14]
Pitchfork 6.0/10 [15]
PunknewsStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [16]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [17]
Spin 7/10 [18]
SputnikmusicStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [19]

Saint Cecilia received generally positive reviews. In a review of the Saint Cecilia EP, NME stated that "Quite aside from the sad circumstances of its release, if 'Saint Cecilia' is foreshadowing the Foo Fighters' next move, the omens look good. [20] Spin stated that "It's the one consistent blessing of stardom. With Saint Cecilia, the Foos are trying to acknowledge that blessing in the best way possible: being themselves". [21]

Consequence of Sound stated that whereas last year's Sonic Highways album was arguably their weakest effort to date, "Saint Cecilia feels like a new turn, or rather, a much-needed step back. It’s simple, back-to-basics rock 'n' roll that reaches for the heart and not the last fan in the back of the crowd. Revisiting the past, Foo Fighters have always been at their best when they don’t overthink things and just be themselves — it’s why Grohl's 1995 debut will forever be the band's watermark, and why 2011's Wasting Light managed to be such a late-career gem. That's not to say that this EP checks into that upper echelon of Foo Fighters accomplishments, but it’s certainly cut from the same cloth. There’s an energy to these songs that feels very nostalgic". [1]

Pitchfork also said of the other songs on the EP that "Whenever that reputation threatens to stick, Grohl always draws on a Northern Virginia upbringing that put him within driving distance of DC's hardcore scene. "Sean" and "Savior Breath" are punk Foo Fighters, or as punk as they can sound in 2015—infinitely more energetic than anything on Sonic Highways, but only incrementally edgier, Wasting Light without Butch Vig's glossy overlay". [22]

Commercial performance

The "Saint Cecilia" single marked Foo Fighters' 29th song to reach the Alternative Songs top 20, slotting the Foo Fighters into a tie with the Red Hot Chili Peppers for second-most top 20 entries in the chart's history. [23] Only U2 has more, with 31. [23] "Saint Cecilia" is also the Foo Fighters' 22nd song to make to the Top 10 on the US Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, in which they are tied with Godsmack for the most Top 10s on that chart since August 1995 when Foo Fighters had their first Top 10 with "This Is a Call". [23] The song ultimately peaked at number 3 on the chart. [24]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Foo Fighters

No.TitleLength
1."Saint Cecilia"3:41
2."Sean"2:11
3."Savior Breath"3:11
4."Iron Rooster"4:11
5."The Neverending Sigh"4:45
Total length:18:00

Personnel

Additional musicians

Production

Charts

Certifications

Sales certifications for Saint Cecilia
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [48] Platinum40,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Grohl</span> American rock musician (born 1969)

David Eric Grohl is an American musician. He founded the rock band Foo Fighters, of which he is the lead singer, guitarist, and principal songwriter. From 1990 to 1994, he was the drummer of the grunge band Nirvana.

<i>Foo Fighters</i> (album) 1995 debut album by Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters is the debut studio album by American rock band Foo Fighters, released on July 4, 1995, through Roswell and Capitol Records. Former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl wrote the entire album. He recorded it himself in six days with the assistance of producer Barrett Jones at Robert Lang Studios in Seattle, Washington, in 1994. Grohl said that he recorded the album just for fun, describing it as a cathartic experience to recover from the suicide of Nirvana bandmate Kurt Cobain. The album is considered to have started the post-grunge genre.

<i>The Colour and the Shape</i> 1997 studio album by Foo Fighters

The Colour and the Shape is the second studio album by American rock band Foo Fighters, released on May 20, 1997, by Roswell and Capitol Records. It was the first album by the Foo Fighters to be recorded as a full band, as the previous self-titled album was both written and recorded entirely by frontman Dave Grohl. The Colour and the Shape is widely considered a defining album of the post-grunge genre, with its three singles becoming staples of rock-oriented radio in the United States. It was among the highest-selling rock albums of 1997 and 1998, and was nominated for Best Rock Album at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pat Smear</span> American guitarist (born 1959)

Georg Albert Ruthenberg, better known by his stage name Pat Smear, is an American musician. He is best known for being the lead guitarist and co-founder of Los Angeles–based punk band The Germs and for being a rhythm guitarist for grunge band Nirvana, and Foo Fighters. After Nirvana disbanded following the suicide of frontman Kurt Cobain, drummer Dave Grohl went on to form Foo Fighters, with Smear joining on guitar. Smear left Foo Fighters in 1997 before rejoining as a touring guitarist in 2005 and being promoted back to a full-time member in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foo Fighters</span> American rock band

Foo Fighters is an American rock band formed in Seattle in 1994. Founded as a one-man project by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, the lineup now consists of Grohl, Nate Mendel (bass), Chris Shiflett and Pat Smear (guitars), Rami Jaffee (keyboards), and Josh Freese (drums). Drummers William Goldsmith and Taylor Hawkins, along with guitarist Franz Stahl, are former members of the band.

<i>One by One</i> (Foo Fighters album) 2002 studio album by Foo Fighters

One by One is the fourth studio album by American rock band Foo Fighters, released on October 22, 2002, through Roswell and RCA Records. Production on the album was troubled, with initial recording sessions considered unsatisfying and raising tensions between the band members. They eventually decided to redo the album from scratch during a two-week period at frontman Dave Grohl's home studio in Alexandria, Virginia. The album, which includes the successful singles "All My Life" and "Times Like These", has been noted for its introspective lyrics and a heavier, more aggressive sound compared to the band's earlier work, which Grohl said was intended to translate the energy of the Foo Fighters' live performances into a recording. This was the first album recorded with Chris Shiflett as part of the band, and the first in which Grohl did not play drums, as drum duties were permanently assigned to Taylor Hawkins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Is a Call</span> 1995 single by Foo Fighters

"This Is a Call" is a song by American rock band Foo Fighters, released as the lead single from the band's 1995 self-titled debut album. Released in June 1995, it is one of many songs Dave Grohl wrote and performed on the album when Foo Fighters was a one-man band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everlong</span> 1997 single by Foo Fighters

"Everlong" is a song by American rock band Foo Fighters, released in August 1997 as the second single from their second studio album, The Colour and the Shape (1997). The song reached number three on the US Billboard Alternative Songs chart and the Canadian RPM Rock/Alternative chart. It is often regarded as the band's signature song. "Everlong" was the last song performed live by former drummer Taylor Hawkins before his death in March 2022. As a result of his death, streams of the song increased and charted on the Billboard Global 200 at #123, the band's first appearance on the chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Learn to Fly</span> 1999 single by Foo Fighters

"Learn to Fly" is a song by American rock band Foo Fighters. It was released as the lead single from their third studio album There Is Nothing Left to Lose (1999) in October 1999. It was the band's first song to enter the Billboard Hot 100, as well as their second-highest charting song on the Hot 100, peaking at number 19. It also peaked within the top 40 in Australia, Canada, Hungary, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland and the United Kingdom. The song's music video won Best Short Form Video award at the 43rd Grammy Awards in 2001.

<i>Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace</i> 2007 studio album by Foo Fighters

Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace is the sixth studio album by American rock band Foo Fighters, released on September 25, 2007, through Roswell and RCA Records. The album is noted for a blend of regular rock and acoustic tracks with shifting dynamics, which emerged from the variety of styles employed on the demos the band produced. It also marks the second time the band worked with producer Gil Norton, whom frontman Dave Grohl brought to fully explore the potential of his compositions and have a record that sounded different from their previous work. Grohl tried to focus on songs with messages that resonated with his audience, writing reflective lyrics that drew inspiration from the birth of his daughter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foo Fighters discography</span>

The discography of Foo Fighters, an American rock band formed in 1995 by Dave Grohl, consists of eleven studio albums, ten extended plays (EPs), six video albums, and 57 singles. The current Foo Fighters line-up consists of Grohl, Rami Jaffee (keyboard), Nate Mendel (bass), Chris Shiflett (guitar), Pat Smear (guitar) and Josh Freese (drums).

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (Foo Fighters album) 2009 greatest hits album by Foo Fighters

Greatest Hits is a greatest hits album released by American rock band the Foo Fighters on November 3, 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wheels (Foo Fighters song)</span> 2009 single by Foo Fighters

"Wheels" is a single by American rock band Foo Fighters. The single premiered on radio on September 23, 2009, though it was officially released six days later.

<i>Wasting Light</i> 2011 studio album by Foo Fighters

Wasting Light is the seventh studio album by American rock band Foo Fighters, released on April 12, 2011, through Roswell and RCA Records. Wanting to capture the essence of their earlier work and avoid the artificiality of digital recording, Foo Fighters recorded the album in the garage of frontman Dave Grohl in Encino, California, using only analog equipment. The sessions were produced by the band alongside Butch Vig, with whom Grohl had worked on Nirvana's Nevermind. Since the old equipment did not allow for many mistakes to be corrected in post-production, the band spent three weeks rehearsing the songs, and Vig had to relearn outdated editing techniques. The band sought a heavier and rawer sound in contrast to the experimentation of their previous albums. Most of the lyrics were written as Grohl reflected upon his life and possible future. Guest musicians include Bob Mould, Krist Novoselic, Jessy Greene, Rami Jaffee and Fee Waybill. Pat Smear played as an official member of the band for the first time since The Colour and the Shape (1997).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rope (song)</span> 2011 single by Foo Fighters

"Rope" is a song by American rock band Foo Fighters, the second track on their seventh studio album, Wasting Light (2011). Like the rest of the album, it was written by all band members and produced by the band alongside Butch Vig. The song originated during the tour supporting Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007), the band's sixth studio album. A demo version was recorded after the tour ended in 2008. Some acts that have been noted as influences on the song include Rush and Led Zeppelin.

<i>Sonic Highways</i> 2014 studio album by Foo Fighters

Sonic Highways is the eighth studio album by American rock band Foo Fighters, released on November 10, 2014, through Roswell and RCA Records. Similar to their previous album, Wasting Light (2011), it was produced by the band with Butch Vig. In writing the album's eight songs, singer and guitarist Dave Grohl traveled to eight cities across the United States to conduct interviews with musicians, recording engineers, record producers, and other individuals discussing each city's musical history, which he used as inspiration for the songs' lyrics. The band and Vig then traveled to a different recording location in each city to record the songs. Each track features contributions from one or more musicians with ties to that city's musical history. The process was filmed for a companion television series, Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways, which was broadcast on HBO in the months surrounding the album's release.

<i>Songs from the Laundry Room</i> 2015 EP by Foo Fighters

Songs from the Laundry Room is an EP by American rock band Foo Fighters, released exclusively for Record Store Day 2015. This EP and the Foo Fighters album are the two Foo Fighters releases upon which Dave Grohl plays all the instruments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Run (Foo Fighters song)</span> 2017 single by Foo Fighters

"Run" is a song by American rock band Foo Fighters. It was released as a single on June 1, 2017, and is off their ninth studio album, Concrete and Gold. The song performed well commercially and critically, topping the Billboard US Mainstream Rock Songs chart. The song won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song and was nominated for Best Rock Performance at the 2018 Grammys.

"Saint Cecilia" is a single by American rock band Foo Fighters, from their EP Saint Cecilia. It peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart in 2016.

<i>Concrete and Gold</i> 2017 studio album by Foo Fighters

Concrete and Gold is the ninth studio album by American rock band Foo Fighters, released on September 15, 2017, through Roswell and RCA Records. It is the band's first album to be produced alongside Greg Kurstin. Described by the band as an album where "hard rock extremes and pop sensibilities collide", Concrete and Gold concerns the future of the United States from the viewpoint of the band's frontman and lead songwriter Dave Grohl, with the heated atmosphere of the 2016 elections and the presidency of Donald Trump cited as major influences by Grohl. Juxtapositions serve as a common motif in both the album's lyrical and musical composition, with Grohl further describing the album's overall theme as "hope and desperation".

References

  1. 1 2 3 Foo Fighters – Saint Cecilia EP consequence.net. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Saint Cecilia – EP by Foo Fighters on iTunes". Apple Inc. November 23, 2015. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  3. ↑ Brandle, Lars (November 23, 2015). "Foo Fighters Share Free EP to 'Remind Us That Music is Life'". Billboard . Retrieved November 23, 2015.
  4. ↑ Renshaw, David (November 23, 2015). "Foo Fighters dedicate new surprise free 'St Cecilia' EP to victims of Paris attacks". NME . Retrieved November 23, 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 "Foo Fighters Drop Surprise Free EP 'Saint Cecilia'". rollingstone.com. November 23, 2015. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  6. 1 2 3 "Foo Fighters Share Free EP to 'Remind Us That Music is Life'". billboard.com. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Review: Foo Fighters, 'Saint Cecilia'". spin.com. December 2, 2015. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  8. 1 2 Playlist: What is Krist Novoselic listening to? dailyastorian.com. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
  9. ↑ Saint Cecilia EP (Vinyl) EP amazon.com. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Reviews for Saint Cecelia EP". Metacritic . Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  11. ↑ Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Foo Fighters: Saint Cecilia". AllMusic . Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  12. ↑ "Foo Fighters – Saint Cecilia EP". Consequence of Sound. November 24, 2015. Retrieved December 6, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Foo Fighters: Saint Cecilia". Kerrang! . December 5, 2015. p. 50.
  14. ↑ "Foo Fighters – 'St Cecilia'". NME. November 23, 2015. Retrieved December 6, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Foo Fighters: Saint Cecilia EP". Pitchfork . Retrieved December 6, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Foo Fighters: Saint Cecilia (self released)". Punknews. November 25, 2015. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  17. ↑ "Foo Fighters's New Album: Saint Cecilia". Rolling Stone. December 10, 2015. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  18. ↑ "Review: Foo Fighters' Best Record in Years Is the Tragedy-Stricken 'Saint Cecilia' EP". Spin . Retrieved December 6, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Review: Foo Fighters - Saint Cecilia". Sputnikmusic. November 29, 2015. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  20. ↑ Foo Fighters – 'St Cecilia' nme.com. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  21. ↑ Review: Foo Fighters’ Best Record in Years Is the Tragedy-Stricken ‘Saint Cecilia’ EP spin.com. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  22. ↑ Foo Fighters Saint Cecilia EP pitchfork.com. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  23. 1 2 3 Five Finger Death Punch No. 1, Foo Fighters Near History on Rock Charts billboard.com. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  24. ↑ "Foo Fighters - Chart history - Billboard". www.billboard.com. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  25. ↑ "Foo Fighters – Saint Cecilia" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  26. ↑ "Foo Fighters Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Foo Fighters: Saint Cecilia" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  28. ↑ "Physical Single Top 20". Spanish Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  29. ↑ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  30. ↑ "Foo Fighters Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  31. ↑ "Foo Fighters Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  32. ↑ "Foo Fighters Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  33. ↑ "Foo Fighters Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  34. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Foo Fighters – Saint Cecilia EP" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
  35. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Foo Fighters – Saint Cecilia EP" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
  36. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
  37. ↑ "Foo Fighters | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
  38. ↑ Official Vinyl Albums Chart Top 40 – 26 February 2016 – 3 March 2015. officialcharts.com. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  39. ↑ Official Physical Albums Chart Top 100 – 26 February 2016 – 3 March 2015. officialcharts.com. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  40. ↑ Official Album Sales Chart Top 100 – 26 February 2016 – 3 March 2015. officialcharts.com. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  41. ↑ "Foo Fighters Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
  42. ↑ "Foo Fighters Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
  43. ↑ "Foo Fighters Chart History (Top Hard Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
  44. ↑ "Foo Fighters Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
  45. ↑ "Foo Fighters Chart History (Top Tastemaker Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  46. ↑ Foo Fighters – Album Sales Chart history. billboard.com. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
  47. ↑ Billboard – Vinyl Albums. billboard.com. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
  48. ↑ "Brazilian album certifications – Foo Fighters – Saint Cecilia EP" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil . Retrieved July 4, 2023.

Notes

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.