Nearly thirty years ago, 1994 started a new era for Dave Grohl. The drummer of the then massively famous Nirvana, tragically the band broke up following the untimely death of Kurt Cobain. Obviously resulting in their obvious disbandment of Nirvana, from here Grohl would seek out new avenues of creativity… thus began the journey of Foo Fighters.
Initially a one-man band for Grohl, Foo Fighters would eventually become a full band, and one which has seemingly dominated the Rock world for the past three decades. Amazing when you think about it, some may argue their longevity and popularity has even surpassed Nirvana, and here we were in 2023 look at Foo Fighters’ eleventh studio album.
Entitled, yes, But Here We Are, the band’s follow-up to 2021’s Medicine at Midnight arrived on June 2nd through Grohl’s RCA Imprint label Roswell Records. An album created between 2022 and earlier in 2023, it was written and recorded by Grohl (lead vocals/guitar), Nate Mendel (bass), Pat Smear (guitars), Chris Shiflett (guitar/backing vocals), and Rami Jaffee (keyboards). Their first studio album since the death of their longtime Drummer Taylor Hawkins, presently accomplished player Josh Freese sits behind the kit. Joining Foo Fighters after the sessions of But Here We Are was completed, for the album the drum tracks were recorded by Gohl himself; which makes sense since he is also a drummer.
This all in mind, for decades Foo Fighters have released one quality album after another… and this new one is no different. Consisting of 10 tracks, “Rescued” sets the tone and it takes off from there. Reflecting for a minute, death is a rough patch in anyone’s life and it is something Grohl usually has strayed away from in his lyrics. However, there is no hiding that this entire album touches on mortality and being rescued from the depths of hell that sometimes leads someone down into. Looking back a bit further, the tragic loss of Hawkins in March of 2022 all seemed too sudden. To make matters more difficult, his cause of death has not exactly been released, and soon after, Grohl’s mother passed away too. Why rehash all these raw memories? Because the song “Rescued” lets you know that life is short and we need to appreciate it.
Full of emotional songs, “The Glass” is another strong offering here. Normally, Foo Fighters stay true to their musical roots; that being more actual instruments rather than computer-based instrumentation. That fact in mind, “The Glass” is a good example of such… because the instrumental aspects really stand out behind Grohl’s voice. This is while “Show Me How,” which recruits Grohl’s daughter Violet as a backing vocalist, and the duetting matches uniquely. Another stand out, here the band offer a softer lay of lyrics, all while the guitar leads and beat keeps it moving in a slightly mellower direction.
Overall, But Here We Are is a bit different for Foo Fighters. That said, it is “Hearing Voices,” the aforementioned “The Glass,” “The Teacher,” and “Rest” which seem to take on that more solace, slower pace for the band. Not a bad thing, Grohl’s singing really works here; especially on “Rest” where the guitar seems to lead the song along with his voice. On the other end, “Rest” also exemplifies the darker tone of another ultimately great album.
Continuing to stand strong, the new artistic direction with But Here We Are is refreshing. Still riding high, they plan on some extensive touring yet again in 2024; first starting in New Zealand at the start of the new year, before more European and US dates later on. So, it is safe to say even in loss and heartache sometimes something can come out of it. This is whether you are paying homage to your loved ones or straight up sharing feelings with others. Foo Fighters do well at both, and that is why Cryptic Rock gives But Here We Are 5 out of 5 stars.
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