Wasting Light

The hotly anticipated album, produced by the esteemed Butch Vig (who worked on the ten-time platinum album _Nevermind_, released by Grohl’s previous band _Nirvana_) as well as featuring monumental guest appearances from the former _Hüsker Dü_ guitarist/vocalist Bob Mould and ex-_Nirvana_ bassist Krist Novoselic, was heavily promoted to say the least. After being on the rock scene for over 20 years, Grohl attempted to redefine and revolutionise the often criticised industry; first, by riskily recording using analogue equipment (basically, recording onto tape) and second, by releasing a film (_Back and Forth_), which was followed by a pre-recorded live performance of the new record. Why, you ask? Because he can.

So, the question is, does _Wasting Light_ live up to the hype? ‘Bridge Burning’ is an outstanding opener, with the first 30 seconds getting your blood pumping and showcasing everything that the Foo’s stand for: balls-to-the-wall, face melting, anthemic “Stadium Rock” that will shake the very ground that the droves of fans will stand on this Summer. The flag ship single ‘Rope’ is equally intense, and represents some of the most intricate instrumentals the Foo’s have ever produced. ‘I Should Have Known’ offers a tribute to Grohl’s past, the death of Nirvana singer Kurt Kobain, and does justice to the seventeen year void of awkward silence that fans have patiently waited to be addressed. Yet ‘Miss the Misery’ characterises the dull and forgettable disappointments that the Foo’s are capable of.

For the casual Foo Fighter’s fan, and by that I mean, the fan that hums along to the hit singles ‘Everlong’ and ‘My Hero’, this album will certainly suffice. The hard-hitting ‘Arlandria’ is as good as ‘the Pretender’ (from the 2007 predecessor _Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace_), and the album holds enough quality singles to add to the Foo’s greatest hit catalogue, which taken on its own, wouldn’t be far from the greatest record of all time. However, much like any of the Foo’s 7 studio albums, these hits are diamonds in the bland and whilst they are absolutely killer, there’s unquestionably some filler.

Don’t listen to _Wasting Light_ expecting anything ground-breaking and you won’t be disappointed. The Foo Fighters appear to be a stronger band of brothers than at any point in their illustrious career, and their financial power is allowing them to shake up the standard promotional techniques. However, when it comes to song writing, they’re certainly sticking to the music-making ethos of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.