CD of The Week

In the excellent new Foo Fighters documentary Back And Forth, Dave Grohl asks what the band could possibly do next, having played two massive headlining gigs at Wembley Stadium in London in 2008. The answer: strip down to basics for a raw record that ranks among the band’s best. Wasting Light was recorded in Grohl’s garage, on old-fashioned analog tape with the great Butch Vig behind the board. The Foos have put their acoustic guitars aside for now, plugging in for a strong collection of rockers.

Opening with the roaring “Bridge Burning” and Grohl declaring “These are my famous last WORDS,” Wasting Light starts with a bang and doesn’t look back. “Dear Rosemary” features vocals from Bob Mould, one of Grohl’s musical heroes, and a huge Hüsker Dü-inspired hook (with a bit of “Steady As She Goes” by The Raconteurs in the verses). “These Days” is simply another Foo classic, with Grohl wearing his heart on his sleeve on a big memorable tune in the vein of “Times Like These.” “Arlandria” pays homage to Grohl’s home turf of Virginia with a widescreen classic rock sound. The Foos certainly put their three-pronged guitar attack to use on Wasting Light; their first album as a five piece (with Pat Smear officially back in the fold alongside the reliable Chris Shiflett). The emotional “I Should Have Known” is another key track on the record, as Krist Novoselic plays bass and accordion, creating a Nevermind reunion of sorts with Grohl and Vig.

I haven’t even mentioned the prog-influenced lead single “Rope” (check out Taylor Hawkins’ big ole drum solo!) or the distorted “White Limo” (which hearkens back to “Watershed” on the first record) or the hopeful closer “Walk.” While Foo Fighters have dabbled in acoustic rock and different textures on their last few albums, perhaps the title Wasting Light is an acknowledgement that they can mellow out a few years down the road, but there’s only so much time left to truly rock out with guns (and guitars) blazing.