Foo Fighters| Wasting Light

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By Gillian Middleton.
The Foo Fighters released their new album ‘Wasting Light’ in conjunction with screenings of a documentary about the band by Oscar-winning director James Moll. The film itself felt more like a blow-by-blow account of who Dave Grohl had kicked out of the band rather than anything which adds to the legend of Foo Fighters.

Most interestingly, the first half hour of the film was almost entirely about Nirvana. This Nirvana obsession has overshadowed a lot of the Foo Fighters’ endeavors and is as present now as at any other time during their career. Reference is made to how Dave Grohl is tired of being asked if every song is about Kurt Cobain. But despite his portrayed reluctance, Grohl doesn’t appear entirely against using this connection to entice more fans into the Foo Fighters’ Camp.

‘Wasting Light’ is not only produced by Butch Vig (producer ‘Nevermind’) but also features Krist Novoselic on the song ‘I Should Have Known’, a song about not knowing someone is in trouble until it’s too late – ring any bells? The screenings also took place during the same week as the anniversary of Kurt Cobain’s death. This is before one ever takes into consideration the return of former-Nirvana guitarist Pat Smear.

It’s a pity for Foo Fighters that, on the release of their seventh album, the attention is still divided with Grohl’s former band. The Foos have had some great moments themselves. Their self-titled debut, ‘The Colour and the Shape,’ ‘There’s Nothing Left to Lose,’ and ‘One By One,’ were all full of catchy rock hooks. ‘In Your Honour’ and ‘Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace’ had their moments but were by no means great. But is ‘Wasting Light’ destined to join the best forgotten?

Thankfully, it is actually their best album since ‘There’s Nothing Left To Lose.’ Opener ‘Burning Bridges,’ a pounding guitar-heavy song which is as good as any early Foo Fighters song on is one of the strongest on the record. Single ‘Rope’ is similarly catchy which highlights the return of Pat Smear’s punk sensibilities to the fold. ‘White Limo,’ and ‘Back and Forth,’ are also songs with more down-strokes than up. The album is reminiscent of a time when the Foo Fighters smacked of punk rock rather than Wembley-filling anthems. ‘Dear Rosemary,’ and ‘Arlandria,’ owe more to the more recent albums from the band. They both start slow and then build up to the token epic chorus.

Lyrically, I am convinced that ‘Arlandria,’ is intentionally packed with clichés, otherwise it’s just embarrassing. ‘I Should Have Known,’ might become the most talked about track due hints at Cobain’s suicide and guest appearance by Novoselic on bass and accordion. The second bass really adds another dimension to the song. If I were a more cynical I would say that the song is an obvious plot to capitalise on the Nirvana frontman’s ever-present popularity. But at times, despite the simplistic lyrics, there seems a genuine sense of regret and loss within the song. The album closes with ‘Walk,’ which has a nice hook but won’t stay in the memory for long.

Overall, ‘Wasting Light,’ is much better than we have seen from the Foo Fighters in recent years. There are definitely some good songs and ‘Rope,’ is particularly catchy. Hopefully, the band will continue in this vein for the next few albums. Grohl finds his stride when he stops trying to make emotional statements and just plays the fast power-pop/punk-rock that the band do best.