AUDIOJUNKIE: Rock and resiliency of the Foo Fighters

The Foo Fighters (Facebook)

The Foo Fighters return with "But Here We Are," a bold album that sees the band doubling down on their rock roots and willingness to evolve as musicians. On their 11th album, long-time Foo Fighters – Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Pat Smear, Chris Shiflett and Rami Jaffee--prove that despite life-changing events inside the band, there still a lot of gas left in the tank. And with the addition of new member Josh Freese on drums, the band is ready to log in the mileage as they take the show on the road. And the launching point is their new album “But Here We Are." Even its bare white album feels like a brand new start. For this one, Dave Grohl again picks producer-ace keyboardist Greg Kurstin. Grohl also chose to do all the drum parts for the whole record. Perhaps doing so would be his way of giving tribute to his close friend Taylor Hawkins who he had a close relationship with, both being drummers is just the tip of it. Speaking of, “Under You” with its “Learn To Fly”-like energy sees Grohl thinking of his longtime bandmate as he sings “I woke up and walked a million miles today / I’ve been looking up and down for you / All this time it still feels just like yesterday / That I walked a million miles with you,” and driving it home with the chorus “Over it / Think I’m getting’ over it / There’s no getting’ over it.” The Foo Fighters will rock. That much is given and can be heard here throughout. But the spirit of experimentation is also there. “Hearing Voices” and “Show Me How” are fine examples. The former is a moody excursion that eventually builds (hearing the last part seems like an unplugged version with just Rami--or maybe it’s Kurstin--and Dave on acoustic guitar) while the latter is a naturally guitar-driven mid-tempo shoegaze-tinged modern rock.

'But Here We Are' by The Foo Fighters official album art

The willingness to take risks actually pays off in memorable ways, as it does on the Foos-meets-Paul McCartney’s Wings on “The Glass.” The short solo stab from Shiflett is a welcome addition. “Nothing At All” ventures into pop-flavored prog rock on this rocker that recalls Yes’ “Owner Of A Lonely Heart” meets punk Nirvana. While it’s always Grohl’s rock persona who’s always in the spotlight, his songwriting rarely gets noticed. Regarding the latter, he has grown immensely as a lyricist over several albums, and with Greg Kurstin, providing more colors, opens up Grohl’s own palette. Case in point “Beyond Me” with its “Golden Slumbers”-like piano intro and lyrical maturity that goes beyond his scream-into-the-mic approach. Here’s a man, grappling with age and the realization that “Everything we love must grow old / or so I’m told.” On the title track “But Here We Are” we hear the vaunted three-guitar interplay between guitarists Grohl, Pat Smear and Chris Shiflett at the start and eventually builds to a thick layer as Nate Mendel’s fuzz bass and Rami’s keyboard color it further. Fans of Dave Grohl’s drumming should pay close attention to this track as it features some of Dave’s busiest and most precision drumming to date. Other points of interest include previously released singles “Rescued” and “The Teacher” and the stark and pensive closing track “The Rest.” The latter feeling like an electric elegy by the Foos for their fallen comrade. In summary, "But Here We Are" solidifies the Foo Fighters’ status as one of rock music's most enduring and innovative bands, proving that they can continuously push the boundaries of their sound while maintaining their signature passion and energy to rock.