Album Review: Foo Fighters - Wasting Light

Who said rock was dead? According to some, apparently it has. It’s no secret, rock has taken a definite back seat to the dance pop chart hogging Lady Ga Gas and the Katy Perrys of the world as of recent, but if anyone knows how to rock properly, it’s Dave Grohl and co., here to take a stance and show the world that rock is undoubtedly alive and well.

Into year 16 of the band’s existence, Wasting Light is the Foos seventh studio album and arguably their best in well over a decade. Both heavy and melody laden, and not a ballad to be found, Grohl (aka: the nicest guy in rock n roll) has even admitted to feeling like he’s been lumped into the same category as Bon Jovi by the kids these days, but all it really takes is 25 seconds in to lead off track “Bridge Burning” to realize that comparison couldn’t be any further from the truth. Album number seven also marks the first time in 20 years that Dave Grohl, producer Butch Vig, and ex-Nirvana band mate, Krist Novoselic (making a guest bass appearance on “I Should Have Known”) have shared a creative space together since the recording of Nirvana’s Nevermind.
Also staying with the Nirvana connection, Pat Smear, touring guitarist during the band’s latter days, is officially back full-time into the Foo fold after departing in 1997.

No studios, no pro-tools. Wasting Light, appropriately nicknamed “The Garage Album”, was solely recorded in Grohl’s garage using only analog equipment, a process that’s undeniably gone by the way side more or less. A definite rare and tedious recording process in this day and age indeed, but the dirty raucous ferocious balls-to-the-wall sound the Foos were trying to capture with this effort, it really couldn’t have been done any more flawlessly.

It’s quite possible after having rubbed shoulders in the studio and on tour with fellow Them Crooked Vultures band mate, John Paul Jones, for the past few years that Grohl might have been highly influenced by the Led Zeppelin legend’s recording process of yesteryear to take the analog route once the Foo Fighters rejoiced.

This is an album meant to be heard in its entirety oppose to just a patchy collection of scattered singles. Just a number of the stand-out tracks deserving of the 3-fingered rock-on salute include potential future single “Arlandria”; “Dear Rosemary” which contains superb guest vocals from Hüsker Dü frontman and Dave Grohl idol, Bob Mould; and leadoff single “Rope” containing such a killer hook you may actually want to refrain from driving while listening – pedal to the metal will be inevitable.

If Wasting Light isn’t enough for the hardcore faithful and avid fans alike, be sure check out the incredible Foo Fighters rockumentary, Back and Forth as the perfect companion piece. It starts from band’s inception after the implosion of Nirvana and covers every high and low of the band’s career right up to modern day and the recording of Wasting Light. Everything you ever wanted to know about the Foo Fighters is here. Take heed people, the Foo Fighters are back.

4.5 out of 5