Album review: Foo Fighters, 'Wasting Light'
2 stars (out of 4)
The biggest surprise of Dave Grohl’s career as a songwriter and band leader came at the very start — when he demonstrated on the Foo Fighters’ 1995 debut that he was more than just one of rock’s best drummers but a decent singer and songwriter. Not great, decent. Ever since he’s been churning out workmanlike albums, brimming with boilerplate arena-rock songs.
On “Wasting Light” (RCA), the band’s first album since 2007, Grohl distills his formula to its leanest essence with the help of some old friends: Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic and Husker Du guitarist Bob Mould put in cameos. More crucially, he’s reunited with producer Butch Vig (who, in case you forgot, produced Nirvana’s “Nevermind”). Vig and mixer Alan Moulder give Grohl’s songs a concise punch; each riff, drum fill and chorus is chiseled into a sharp weapon.
The hired guns help trim the fat, but not all the clichés. The songs come in three styles common to all Foo Fighters albums: hardcore punk screed (“White Limo”), streamlined rocker (“Bridge Burning”), melodramatic power ballad (“I Should Have Known”). It’s all competently done, but none of it matches the invention of Grohl’s drumming in the last decade with Queens of the Stone Age, Probot or Them Crooked Vultures. Grohl sings with appropriate desperation, like a man who knows he’s overachieved and is thankful for the opportunity to make the most of it. “I never wanna die,” he wails, but it’s difficult to imagine these songs achieving immortality.
greg@gregkot.com
This is such a fantastic record!
Posted by: adecmr | April 10, 2011 at 11:05 PM
It's funny when some no name tries to get a reaction by saying that one of the best front men (Dave Grohl) is "Not great, decent". Maybe you should go home rip out your Justin Beiber and let the adults discuss the real music.
Posted by: Ben | April 10, 2011 at 11:56 PM
The review by this no talent knucklehead is telling of his talent as a writer/reviewer.
Posted by: Chaz | April 11, 2011 at 01:06 AM
listen to it again
Posted by: Billy | April 11, 2011 at 07:59 AM
Wrong. Amazing album.
Posted by: Fan | April 11, 2011 at 08:09 AM
Dave and the boys have consistently produced entertaining, hard-driving rock and roll with melodies you don't expect, better-than-average lyrics, and all with a joy, fun, and passion for playing together that sets them apart from many of the other bands out there. If not every song is Hall of Fame worthy, then so be it...but I always know that when I see them or buy their records, I'm going to like what I hear. I'm 57 years old and their albums are part of the soundtrack of my life. As long as they are willing to play, I will be here to crank up the volume and sing along. I can't say that about too many other bands these days.
Posted by: woodstock14 | April 11, 2011 at 10:40 AM
Funny how personally offended some people get at album reviews. YOUR OPINION IS WRONG, MINE IS RIGHT!
Posted by: Doug | April 11, 2011 at 10:44 AM
I don't often agree with Kot but he's pretty much right on here. The Foo Fighters are about as mediocre as they come, not bad, not good, just somewhere in the unimaginative middle. Not only is every song NOT Hall of Fame worthy, I doubt even one is.
Just one man's opinion. I can't wait for some other reader to tell me how dumb I am.
Posted by: KCJ | April 11, 2011 at 11:24 AM
This guy is an idiot
Posted by: Max | April 11, 2011 at 11:25 AM
I'll take good (if not great) rock n roll over any of the so call " great' pop that is available today anytime.
I've heard a few cuts, i like what I hear - straightforward rock with some nice melodies. sounds good to me
Posted by: pete m | April 11, 2011 at 12:29 PM
come on wasting light is pure music and you have to be very very good actually to do it.
Posted by: david | April 11, 2011 at 12:29 PM
Kot is a professional music critic, a published author, and a music fan. Read his column regularly and listen to his Sound Opinions podcast for proof. I don't always agree with his assessment, but I respect his opinion. Keep it coming, GK!
Posted by: Katie | April 11, 2011 at 01:51 PM
This guy proves that anybody can write a review. He obviously does not care for the Foo Fighters music. This album or any other. I am a Foo fan, and I can't believe how solid this record is.
Posted by: Phil Gibom | April 11, 2011 at 04:13 PM
As a rabid Foo Fighters fan my 37 star review of this record is clearly more valid than that of an impartial critic who listens to hundreds of albums a year.
Seriously though, Grohl needs to be pushed out of his Foo Fighters comfort zone more (e.g. Them Crooked Vultures).
Posted by: Andrew | April 11, 2011 at 08:09 PM
What ticks me off about this review? he doesn't give a reason for his rating other than his smug self-righteous opinions. Where's the logic? where's the comparison to past work or other rock albums in the industry today?
People like this disgust me because they try and set a trend in popular thought that can either go against certain pop culture or raise it to a certain level, even if the masses unanimously has a differing opinion (and apart from a few other comments on this page, it looks like this is the case here).
You generically categorize each song into three categories? BS. the first 5 tracks are each nothing alike.
You say Dave Grohl is decent not great? He's won more grammys for Rock Album of the Year than any other artist. His songs are among the most successful of modern rock artists today. The man's had his songs covered by Bob Dylan for crying out loud!
How can you compare Dave's drumming to his albums? that's like comparing a bullet to a rifle it's stupid.
How do you know why he sings like a man who's just happy to be in the position of making so many successful records? He's become a father just recently, I think that's a pretty darn good reason for singing with desperation.
So many things wrong with this review, and you know what's great? This review's going right to a mass full of people, and will form a libelous opinion in their head about a very good rock album. Like I say. You disgust me
Posted by: Burgerguy | April 11, 2011 at 09:11 PM
Have to disagree Mr. Greg Not!
The riffs are fresh and cool. Being a guitar player couldn't wait to learn the chords.
Foo Fighters are one of the only bands today that are producing good music. Sorry Excellent Music.
Sounds like someone been bought!
Posted by: G | April 11, 2011 at 09:56 PM
My only real complaint is that the author compares Dave Grohl on guitar (Foo Fighters) to Dave Grohl on drums (QOTSA, TCV). Dumb comparison. That's like comparing Jack White's work with the White Stripes with his work in bands where he, like Grohl, plays drums.
Posted by: David | April 12, 2011 at 09:34 AM
@KCJ....You're not dumb......you're an idiot.
Posted by: Mark | April 12, 2011 at 10:59 AM
People....Kot gave the new Paul Simon CD 3 out of 4 stars, now what does that tell you? He shouldn't be reviewing music like this. Maybe someone who listens to music like this regularly, and knows the difference between good and bad rock music?
Posted by: Mark | April 12, 2011 at 11:04 AM
I agree with Kot. I'd heard Foo Fighters on the radio and not thought much one way or the other, then saw them live "acoustic" opening for Bob Dylan, and it all crystallized: the Bryan Adams of "alternative" rock.
Posted by: Steve | April 12, 2011 at 11:57 AM
Nobody knows less about what music is all about than a music critic. These are the dweebs you grew up with that looked down their noses at anyone who didn't enjoy the "important" music that they did. Very few of them, if any, get what music is all about.
Posted by: Joey Snivelus | April 12, 2011 at 02:12 PM
I'd give it 3/4 but have to agree it's fist-pumping, yet largely forgettable, rock. Very well-crafted and worth every penny I paid for it but to instantly elevate it beyond straight-up good old rock and roll is reaching. A terrific record, to be sure, but not one that history will stack up against the all-time greats. And that's nothing to be ashamed of. I wish I could make a terrific, forgettable rock and roll record.
Posted by: Gogmagogical | April 12, 2011 at 06:23 PM
I think Grohl and company should be given credit for making consistently good, not great, albums. Their albums are usually solid with two or three standout tunes. Kind of like a harder rocking Tom Petty and nothing to do with Bryan Adams.
Posted by: Philco Brothers | April 13, 2011 at 08:44 AM
Just because there arent amazing solos or the Foo Fighters aren't selling out, does not mean they arent some of the best guys out there. "Not great, decent" just shows how snobby you are, and the "..in case you forgot,..." line makes the reader feel uneducated and its almost as if your calling them an idiot. Im a journalist myself. You dont do that.
You dont break down why you personally dont like each song, or even a review of each song. You sum the whole thing up in 3 short paragraphs. And just something i noticed, the "T" in Them Crooked Vultures isnt part of the link. Shows how quickly this article was pieced together and how litlte attention you payed to the smaller details of this article. Its quality, not quantity that matters. Maybe thats why the Foo Fighters havent released a new album in 4 years. They know its what music is thats great, not how many songs are made.
Posted by: Don Weisse | April 13, 2011 at 10:24 AM
Grohl has been riding this gravy train of watered-down rock for far too long now. This is a guy that came out of the old school of punk alternative and grunge, yet he produces the same old retread time and time again, thinking that if you scream something louder it's automatically better and resonates more. Cobain knew this wasn't true. When will Grohl learn?
Posted by: Stoic Joe | April 13, 2011 at 11:41 AM