The foo fighting world has been collectively holding their breath in anticipation of this record. For those not in the know, in March 2022 the Foo Fighters suddenly and quite unexpectedly lost their much beloved drummer Taylor Hawkins while on tour in Colombia. Rumors swirled as to whether the Foos would continue, or even should continue. Hawkins was, and arguably still is, a huge part of what made the band so good.
After two epic concerts celebrating the life of Taylor and his expansive love of all things music, we waited. Waited to see what would be next, if there would be anything at all. Or were those shows truly the long slow goodbye to this storied musical juggernaut much of the rock listening world had come to know and love?
Finally, rumors were confirmed. There was a new record forthcoming. Everyone, at almost the same time, asked the same question: Who is the new drummer. A topic for a later discussion, for our purposes today, the drums on the record were played by Dave Grohl, which seems completely appropriate given the circumstances.
With the preamble complete, let’s get to the record.
Immediately I can hear that this record has a very different sound. It doesn’t sound like old Foo Fighters. Because it’s not. It’s a more mature sound. Much like the evolution of Queens of the Stone Age. It’s a band changed by years. Changed by loss. Changed by tragedy. Changed by miles. The sound isn’t the same because the men are not the same. Same people, mostly. But not the same. You can’t sound like you did 25 years ago. It’s not honest. Write the music for the man you are now not the boy you once were.
There’s lots of texture. I can hear a vague 80s pop sound just lingering in the outer edges. I dig Gregg Kurstin and the impact he’s made in these records of later years.
Violet Grohl. Yeah man. That’s all.
I’m so glad I didn’t listen to this before right now. It was hard to avoid the digital release but I wanted to give this record my full attention and experience it the way it was intended. This is why we vinyl, no? No spoilers makes all the difference.
This sadness isn’t thinly veiled. It’s on full, almost agonizing, display. I hope this music they created out of such staggering loss provided some kind of healing. I believe that’s the nature of music for those that can feel it, not just hear it. Whether the listener or the writer, it’s a gift everyone should have.
It occurred to me why I like this band so much. I really only found the Foos in earnest a few years ago. I think I talked about that at one point. It wasn’t the music that initially drew me in, it was the way Dave Grohl talked about music. So I listened. And listened. And as I’ve gotten to know them I found that it seems as though they almost wear their hearts on their sleeve. In a way you would never expect a stadium filling, anthem screaming, force of nature type band would. Even if they’re not, the appearance of being approachable, decent humans with actual human feelings – feelings they’re not afraid to show the world, is eminently appealing.
I’ve cried over lost friends. We’ve all done that. I’m sorry for their loss. For his loss. I don’t know the man, I likely never will. But I applaud this effort of sharing his pain with those who choose to bear it alongside him. He didn’t write “just another Foo Fighters record.” He shared a piece of himself with the world. Not everyone can do that regardless of whether they’re anonymous people living out their lives, or mega rockstars.
I once read that pain shared is pain divided, and joy shared is joy multiplied. In my own small existence I have found that to be true.
I hope he’s found it as well.
Vertical Separation 