Foo Fighters

Begun as a dusty collection of back catalog bedroom hits, the Foo Fighters' debut was tracked entirely by Nirvana's Dave Grohl with Seattle producer Barrett Jones. The live incarnation of the band, including Sunny Day Real Estate's Nate Mendel and William Goldsmith as well as Germs guitarist Pat Smear, were almost immediately swept into a maelstrom of rock 'n' roll celebrity on the strength of such sonic pop anthems as "Everlong" and "My Hero." "Big Me," a pristine Matthew Sweetish pop gem sealed it though, proving Grohl was no Post-Nirvana, coattails-riding Beavis. In the years since, Foo Fighters have kept steady heat on the hit parade, churning out infectious bits of distorted juvenelia.