Foo Fighters: Wasting Light
Foos present their most spirited album in years
The Foo Fighters‘s seventh studio LP, 2011’s Wasting Light may be the band’s most spirited effort in years. Chocked full of dynamic, overwrought guitars laden with a assortment of effects and incredibly assertive, edgy vocals from frontman Dave Grohl, the Foos sound reinvigorated since 2007’s massive hit “The Pretender,” the valedictory cut of Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace. Credit veteran producer Butch Vig additionally for some of the fiery nature of Wasting Light. The LP proves to be a pleasant surprise.
The album opens with lo-fi sounding guitars incorporating a minimalist touch on the ripe “Bridge Burning,” where Grohl emphatically chants, “These are my famous last words!” The song is an exciting way to open, given its production work, underlying harmonic progression, and overall singwriting. “Rope” concedes no loss of momentum, yielding some superb guitar work, heavy bass, and pounding drums. “Dear Rosemary” is a showstopper, with a groove so infectious it transcends the genre of rock and roll. Perhaps the repetitiveness of the chorus gives “Dear Rosemary” an extra pop/soul edge. White Limo” is the spirit of rock epitomized – ambitious, manic, and epic. “Arlandia” is solid, though “These Days” is better, finding a vocally more controlled Grohl, a contrast to previous cuts. “Back and Forth” is straight-forward post- grunge while the lighter feel of “A Matter of Time” on the verses screams pop. “Miss the Misery” works well, but the contrast of penultimate cut “I Should Have Known” is more notable given its melancholy and melodramatic nature. “Walk” closes the album strongly with rational refrain: “I’m learning to walk again, can’t you see I’ve waited long enough…”
Wasting Light could be described as a ‘tour de force’ for the veteran rock band. The album proves that the Foo Fighters continue to evolve musically with time. Dave Grohl and company still have years and years of great records left inside of them.
BRENT FAULKNER
HIFI DETAILS
- Release Date: 12 April 2011
- Label: RCA
- Producers: Butch Vig
- Spin This: “Bridge Burning,” “Dear Rosemary,” “White Limo,” “I Should Have Known”
