5.0
Foo Fighters: Wasting Light Review
The latest album from the Foo Fighters is here and it’s (mostly) a return to form for the band who’s last few albums haven’t been especially amazing. Wasting Light contains some great songs that conjure up nostalgic feelings for any fans of the bands first two albums, as well as some songs that will appeal to the newer fans who prefer the bands work since those albums, both of you.
Here’s the breakdown for each track -
BRIGE BURNING – Another kick-ass opener for the Foo Fighters. For each of their albums they choose an opening track to set up the overall tone and Bridge Burning does just that. A driving guitar riff, heavy drums and Dave Grohl’s signature screams add up to an enjoyable track that will be on heavy rotation in many an ipod.
ROPE – The first single from the album, which makes sense seeing as it’s the most radio friendly on the disc. It’s easy to listen to, the chorus is catchy and it’s easy to sing along to. It’s nice, but it’s obviously catered to the newer fans.
DEAR ROSEMARY – This is a track that will take multiple listens to fully appreciate. I didn’t like it on first listen, but it definitely grew on me. It’s a slower track with lyrics about lost love, which makes it a contender for a second or third single.
WHITE LIMO – Now this is the Foo Fighters I fell in love with on those first two albums. It’s reminiscent of songs like Wattershed and Weenie Beenie with Dave’s overblown screaming over some heavy guitar riff, it’s fucking awesome and it’s my favourite track on the album.
ARLANDRIA – After such an amazing track we’re back to the catchy chorus, memorable lyric, new age Foo Fighters. Probably my least favourite track on the album because it’s just average and completely forgettable. Boring.
THESE DAYS – This song sounds like it could have fit in well on the bands third album, There Is Nothing Left To Lose. It’s a slower song, but it’s definitely not boring. It’s meaningful and has a lot of heart. It’s another option for a future single, but not in a bad way. I like this song a lot.
BACK AND FORTH – You can tell the band are having fun on this track. The lyrics are mature, but the music juxtaposes the lyrics and makes the track something you’ll want to bop your head along to. Similar to something like Big Me or For All The Cows. It’s fun to listen to, but there’s more to it than what’s on the surface, which I find highly enjoyable.
A MATTER OF TIME – Another track that’s easy to listen to, but not very memorable. It’s not awful, I wouldn’t skip it if I was listening to the album in the car, but it’s not something i would choose to listen to.
MISS THE MISERY – Copy and Paste what i said about the last song.
I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN – A slower track that’s centred around Grohl’s vocals and lyrics more than fancy guitar riffs. You can hear real pain in Grohl’s voice, which makes it the most heart felt track on the album.
WALK – The album finishes with something just as strong as the opener. It’s a great final song that sees Grohl screaming “I never wanna die”, which may very well explain why the Foo Fighters exist in the first place. The song is reminiscent of The Colour And The Shape’s closer, “New Way Home”, and it’s just as good.
Wasting Light is a good album but not exceptional. Tracks like Walk and White Limo perfectly capture a time when the Foo Fighters weren’t one of the biggest rock bands in the world and made music just because they could. On the other hand you have tracks like Arlandria, A Matter of Time and Miss The Misery that represent everything the band has become since those early days, a band that has coasted by on being average.
I’m glad this album exists because it perfectly paints both sides of the Foo Fighters and i’m hoping that it represents what the future holds for the band. Burning Bridges could mean that we’re saying goodbye to the newer Foo Fighters and now we’re about to see the older Foo’s pulling up in a White Limo.
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