There are few (if any) benefits to a longer commute, but one is definitely the opportunity to enjoy the simpler things for longer periods of time - i.e., music and reading: two things I have sorely missed as a result of driving to work the past 2 years. Now that I put my commute in the (less than capable) hands of Metro North, I have been able to immerse myself back into listening to my iPod and checking out all the great new music that seems to have avalanched lately.
One of my most anticipated new discs this year has been the Foo Fighters' "Wasting Light". I started hearing snippets of the new songs late last year via their website (http://www.foofighters.com/) and from the opening chords of the first single, "Rope", I knew this was gonna be a return to the harder, faster, louder Foo Fighters of their first two studio albums ("Foo Fighters" and "The Colour and the Shape") - and I was not disappointed.
"Where do I begin?
I'm learning to walk again
I believe I've waited long enough
Where do I begin?"
- "Walk", Foo Fighters from the album "Wasting Light"
The band took 4 years off from their last studio album ("Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace") for lead singer/guitarist/drummer/every-other-instrument-known-to-man-player Dave Grohl to explore some other opportunities - the death metal project Probot, and drumming for Queens of the Stone Age for starters - as well as write some new songs, and discover a truckload of tasty guitar licks and hooks for this latest effort.
Reuniting with guitarists Chris Shiflet and Pat Smear, as well as their long-standing rhythm section, bassist Nate Mendel and drummer Taylor Hawkins, the album jumps out of the gate with "Bridges Burning" ("these are my famous last wooooooooords!" - amazing opening), followed by "Rope", "Dear Rosemary" (featuring guest vocalist Bob Mould of Sugar/Husker Du) and it doesn't slow up. Unlike previous Foo albums, there's not let up - there are no misses - it's 12 sonic blasts - from the Motorhead-ish, face-melting smash up "White Limo" to (my new current favorite track) "These Days" to the '80's guitar rock of "Back and Forth", Grohl and Co. explore sounds, themes and rhythms they've never been able to put together on one album as a band (Grohl wrote all the songs and played all the instruments on their self-titled debut). "Arlandria" and "Walk" are equally kick-ass (a professional music term by the way). The latter may be their most heart-felt rocker to date (think "All My Life" + "The Pretender" x "Times Like These" and you'll understand what I mean).
Being the former drummer of what many consider the seminal rock/alternative band of all time has its benefits and its pitfalls as well, but Grohl has successfully built himself into one of the best songwriters of this generation and this band is undoubtedly one of the tightest units of the post-grunge era. Unfortunately, much of his post-Nirvana work has been scrutinized for what many critics see as post-suicide letters to their former lead singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain. Grohl has vehemently denied that any of those songs are meant to be that, but allows them to remain open for interpretation regardless. I'm only going to add to that speculation by assuming "I Should Have Known" - possibly the darkest song on the album - lyrically anyway - is a haunting farewell to Cobain - and I can't help but feel the addition of former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic to the song - not to mention the lyrics - are Grohl's attempt to have his voice heard on the subject once and for all. You can almost see Cobain's tortured eyes when you listen to this track.
Put simply, I cannot stop playing this album (I'm listening to it as I write this). But don't take my word for it, check it out for free here: http://wastinglight.foofighters.com/. Let me know your thoughts.
UPDATE: the band just released this link (http://foofighters.tv/) if you want to watch them play the entire album LIVE. Enjoy -- Matt
The band has been everywhere the past couple of weeks promoting the album - SNL, The Daily Show, Letterman - and I've been watching/listening (much to my wife's shagrin). With each listen, it's becoming more and more evident to me that:
a.) Foo Fighters are BACK and better than ever (a tough thing to accomplish after 17 years as a band)
b.) this is my early leader and sure-fire winner for "Album of the Year"
c.) their live shows will be AMAZING when you combine this disc with their greatest hits
Do yourself a favor and go back to their earlier albums for the full Foo experience, as well. I have and it's really helped me appreciate their collective work - looking forward to seeing you at a show this year.
Until next time...
No comments:
Post a Comment