Saint Cecilia EP
by Foo Fighters
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Nov 23, 2015
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 42 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 42
  3. Negative: 0 out of 42
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  1. agibbons_96
    Dec 10, 2015
    7
    Originally a thank you to the group's loyal fanbase, and now since dedicated to the victims of the Paris attacks, “Saint Cecilia” is a five track extended play and their first release since the ambitious “Sonic Highways” last year. While the group don't tread into new territory, they reassert why they've become (and remain) one of modern rock's most consistent bands. In short, any of theseOriginally a thank you to the group's loyal fanbase, and now since dedicated to the victims of the Paris attacks, “Saint Cecilia” is a five track extended play and their first release since the ambitious “Sonic Highways” last year. While the group don't tread into new territory, they reassert why they've become (and remain) one of modern rock's most consistent bands. In short, any of these songs could be placed in the 1990's and be a hit, particularly “Sean”, which almost sounds like an out-take from “The Colour and the Shape”. The title track and the closer, “The Neverending Sigh” are relentless and venomous in almost equal measure, the latter with the very raw sounding production that helped “Wasting Light” become one of the Foo's best releases. On the flip side, “Iron Rooster” reeks of Neil Young's influence, but serves as a good contrast and change of dynamic on an otherwise, pretty relentless eighteen minute EP. On a whole, it is a very good EP which draws on the group's past sounds very well. A step up (quality wise) on “Sonic Highways”.

    EP Highlights: “Saint Cecilia”, “Sean” and “The Neverending Sigh”.    … Expand
  2. RyFox
    Dec 14, 2015
    8
    To be honest, I personally enjoyed the album a lot. It ranges in style from the heavier songs like Savior Breath to lighter songs like Saint Cecilia and Iron Rooster. However, I personally was only a big fan of 4/5 of the songs. I could stand the 1/5 but it just wasn't really my thing. That is why I will give the album an 80%
  3. JustinLovesRock
    Mar 30, 2016
    9
    I've always been a fan of the Foo Fighters, and this EP reminds me of why I am. Every track on this record makes you feel the heavy influence on the place it was recorded in. While not every track on the EP is golden, the foos have clearly knocked another one out of the park.
  4. geedup
    Dec 9, 2015
    5
    This EP does not have a stand out song. Although I do not know the back story of this EP (why, out of the blue it was released) Foo Fighters stick to what their fans like-melodies, with guitar riffs and some strained vocal cords. That being said, there is nothing new here. Nothing pushing any envelope or new direction. Matter of fact, I really didn't like any of the songs either.
  5. Griffdog242
    Mar 12, 2016
    10
    This is one of the best releases the Foos have ever made. They still have the energy of making an ep feel like an album. With special guests like Gary Clark Jr. on Iron Rooster helps out.
  6. LeoDiCaprioFan
    Apr 26, 2016
    8
    This is the first EP I've ever heard by the Foo Fighters. The first song was really good!, the other songs on this EP is not that bad, it's OK. Not bad EP!
  7. RageAndGrace
    Feb 6, 2021
    5
    I've never understood why this EP gained any respect. Sean and Savior Breath are both frustratingly mediocre, Iron Rooster (while thought-provoking) is the definition of a 6/10 song, and the only songs I really like are Saint Cecilia and The Neverending Sigh. That being said, Saint Cecilia is still too generic rock single for me to care, and The Neverending Sigh is really only notable forI've never understood why this EP gained any respect. Sean and Savior Breath are both frustratingly mediocre, Iron Rooster (while thought-provoking) is the definition of a 6/10 song, and the only songs I really like are Saint Cecilia and The Neverending Sigh. That being said, Saint Cecilia is still too generic rock single for me to care, and The Neverending Sigh is really only notable for the chorus, and everything else falls flat. Sean directly rips off a riff from Sonic Highways, and then is ripped off by Love Dies Young, making it one of the most worthless Foo Fighters tracks to date. It's disposably enjoyable, it starts and ends on high notes, and since it's free and short I could probably recommend it to someone, but it's baffling to me that it has a higher score than Sonic Highways by this wide of a margin.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Kerrang!
    Dec 10, 2015
    80
    It's almost perfect in its imperfection. [5 Dec 2015, p.50]
  2. Rolling Stone
    Dec 10, 2015
    70
    The songs, some of which date back decades ("The Neverending Sigh" is 20 years old!), sound surprisingly consistent considering the recording session would be a rush job for any other big-time rocker.
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  3. Punknews.org (Staff)
    Dec 9, 2015
    70
    Sure, Saint Cecilia fills itself with all inclusive lyrics that Grohl has become known for. Yes, there are some midtempo shifts that you wish you could skip over. But out of five songs, four are solid.
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