Review: Foo Fighters – Wasting Light

Sergio reviews Foo Fighters’ Wasting Light.

Artist Name: Foo Fighters
Album Name: Wasting Light
Year: 2011
Genre: Alternative Rock/Rock
Label: RCA

Let me start by stating that I’ve never been a huge fan of the Foo Fighters. I’ve respected Dave Grohl (more for the fact that he was a part of grunge royalty with Nirvana) and the rest of his cheque-collecting minions – but, quite frankly, I thought they were a tad overrated. It wasn’t until a conversation I had with a friend that I actually realised how fundamental the Foo Fighters actually are to rock. Deciding to give them another chance, I began to look deeper and listened to Wasting Light (their seventh studio album) more closely than any of their previous records. After this exercise – and having to swallow my pride – I’ve come to the conclusion that the Foo Fighters are, quite simply, the last true rock ‘n’ roll band of our generation. Seriously.

From an all-round perspective, Wasting Light is a much more back-to-basics rock album than 2007’s Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace, which featured the horribly dreadful single ‘The Pretender’. Still to this day, I dislike that album immensely. I don’t know if it was the radio overkill of the single or the unmerited hype, but I just cannot get into it.

Getting into Wasting Light, it must be said that it isn’t the most technically proficient album – neither is it rewriting the book of rock – but it’s the strong songwriting and lyrics that put it head and shoulders above the rest of the crap out there. Apart from the killjoy known as ‘Rope’, which I find to be as exciting as watching Rosie O’ Donnell shower, all the other tracks contain fundamental groove, melody, killer hooks, introspection and humming qualities galore. Listen to ‘Walk’ and tell me that it doesn’t speak to all of us – don’t lie to me; it brought a tear to your eye, too. Increasing the pace and delivering perhaps their heaviest track to date, ‘White Limo’ is the rocker-dropper that shows off Grohl’s ability to set the pit on fire. In between these two extremities, there is still space for a sensitive, softer number (‘I Should Have Known’ (which is kind of a mini-Nirvana reunion, as it features the guest appearance of Krist Novoselic on bass and accordion)), typical Foo-rhythm-driven songs (‘These Days’ and ‘Bridge Burning’) and the memories-in-a-shoebox burner (‘Arlandria’). All in all, it contains enough variety to keep the average listener interested.

In conclusion, Wasting Light has surprised me and exceeded my expectations. I now understand what the fuss is all about. Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Chris Shiflett, Pat Smear and Nate Mendel, I’m sorry that I haven’t paid attention until now. Forgive me, please.

Best Tracks: ‘White Limo’, ‘Arlandria’, ‘These Days’, and ‘Walk’

89/100

This album is available online at the Ovi Music Store. Get it now!

- Sergio Pereira
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