Foo Fighters hit the bullseye (again) with Wasting Light
Foo Fighters
Wasting Light (RCA / Roswell Records)
foofighters.com, rcarecords.com
By Thom Copher
The Foo Fighters have resurfaced with studio album number seven,
Wasting Light, and it's apparant that we should accept the obvious
fact: the band - head Foo Dave Grohl, in particular - has sold its
collective soul to The Devil. The evidence is indisputable - take for
instance:
All of the previous Foo longplayers have been monster hits. Why?
Dave Grohl has never written a bad song - clearly the result of a
partnership with Beelzebub. The music appeals to everyone from
metalheads to popsters - dark forces at work here, my friends;
BEWARE! You're being sized up as I speak!! Nine major awards won,
Wasting Light (RCA / Roswell Records)
foofighters.com, rcarecords.com
By Thom Copher
The Foo Fighters have resurfaced with studio album number seven,
Wasting Light, and it's apparant that we should accept the obvious
fact: the band - head Foo Dave Grohl, in particular - has sold its
collective soul to The Devil. The evidence is indisputable - take for
instance:
All of the previous Foo longplayers have been monster hits. Why?
Dave Grohl has never written a bad song - clearly the result of a
partnership with Beelzebub. The music appeals to everyone from
metalheads to popsters - dark forces at work here, my friends;
BEWARE! You're being sized up as I speak!! Nine major awards won,
including six Grammy statues - no doubt, Satan has cast his ballots!! Let's
not forget (and, how many bands can you say this about), sixteen years and
counting, the Foos just keep getting stronger - you guessed it, have fun
somewhere around the fifth and sixth rings of Hell, boys!!!
Seriously, though, Wasting Light succeeds on so many levels for all of the
right reasons. There is a plethora of solid rockers in the grand Foo tradition:
"Bridge Burning," "Arlandria," "A Matter of Time," "Miss the Misery" and
"Walk" are fine examples of irresistable melodies, hooks and choruses which
have been a band staple since day one.
Wasting Light offers up a few neat surprises, too. "Rope" and "Dear
Rosemary" exhibit a decidedly Rush-fueled prog-rock vibe while "These Days"
hints at Beatles-era George Harrison. My rare-gem pick is "Back & Forth"
with its intro which reminisces Lita Ford's "Kiss Me Deadly." Too, Grohl pays
homage to his self-avowed metal roots on "White Limo." The album's
strongest point is the wall-of-guitars sound. Pat Smear has rejoined the Foo
lineup alongside Grohl and Chris Shiflett for some interesting 1-2-3 axework
on several numbers.
not forget (and, how many bands can you say this about), sixteen years and
counting, the Foos just keep getting stronger - you guessed it, have fun
somewhere around the fifth and sixth rings of Hell, boys!!!
Seriously, though, Wasting Light succeeds on so many levels for all of the
right reasons. There is a plethora of solid rockers in the grand Foo tradition:
"Bridge Burning," "Arlandria," "A Matter of Time," "Miss the Misery" and
"Walk" are fine examples of irresistable melodies, hooks and choruses which
have been a band staple since day one.
Wasting Light offers up a few neat surprises, too. "Rope" and "Dear
Rosemary" exhibit a decidedly Rush-fueled prog-rock vibe while "These Days"
hints at Beatles-era George Harrison. My rare-gem pick is "Back & Forth"
with its intro which reminisces Lita Ford's "Kiss Me Deadly." Too, Grohl pays
homage to his self-avowed metal roots on "White Limo." The album's
strongest point is the wall-of-guitars sound. Pat Smear has rejoined the Foo
lineup alongside Grohl and Chris Shiflett for some interesting 1-2-3 axework
on several numbers.
Foo Fighters: (top) Chris Shiflett (g), Pat Smear (g), Nate
Mendel (b), (front) Dave Grohl (g, v) and Taylor Hawkins (d)
Mendel (b), (front) Dave Grohl (g, v) and Taylor Hawkins (d)
There's an unmistakable alt-rock feel to Wasting Light - credit the band's co-production with Butch Vig (who handled
duties with Grohl and Nirvana back in the day on Nevermind) along with guest appearances by former-Nirvana bassist
Krist Novoselic and Bob Mould (Husker Du). Overall, though, I place the ambience somewhere along In Color / Heaven
Tonight-era Cheap Trick where power-pop meets heavy-metal to produce, as I said, something for everyone.
All of this having been said, maybe... just maybe, The Devil isn't involved, afterall. It could be the simple fact that
the Foo Fighters are just that good. Sorry, Satan!
duties with Grohl and Nirvana back in the day on Nevermind) along with guest appearances by former-Nirvana bassist
Krist Novoselic and Bob Mould (Husker Du). Overall, though, I place the ambience somewhere along In Color / Heaven
Tonight-era Cheap Trick where power-pop meets heavy-metal to produce, as I said, something for everyone.
All of this having been said, maybe... just maybe, The Devil isn't involved, afterall. It could be the simple fact that
the Foo Fighters are just that good. Sorry, Satan!