(Original publication date unknown)

Oh ho, neighboring music nerds. So you want me to apologize for my love of Foo Fighters? Call them a “guilty pleasure?” Say the usual stupid image-preserving apologies like “I like them, but they aren’t objectively good?” Tough luck. Foo Fighters are great. Foo Fighters kick ass. Foo Fighters are possibly the greatest purely hard rock band of all time. They’re a hundred times (roughly) better than dull schmuck like AC/DC. Who cares which band came first other than books? I’m here to enjoy shit.

Granted, there’s not much I’m really capable of writing about Foo Fighters. They’re a very straightforward band. They’ve just got awesome riffs, loads of catchy songs, and an undeniable quasi-punk/metal energy. Some of the best feel-good rock there is. Like Nirvana before them, Foo Fighters are ideal rock to play from your car going down the expressway in the summer heat. Just thinking about that makes me want to drive around going nowhere just for the experience.

Dave Grohl is an interesting vocalist because he’s not very tuneful but has a wide volume range. He has a naturally rough voice but tries to pretend like he doesn’t, giving him a unique tone and personality. His vocals are naturally abrasive, but ironically he tries to make them as universally pleasant as possible. It works for the slower ballads, while he still has the affinity for the heavier, thrashing songs.

Despite the simple songwriting, Foo Fighters have the album-making sense to keep a variety of tempos and guitar tunings to make their songs sound just different enough so that they don’t get old and their albums don’t become repetitive while playing. But really, those fucking riffs and the whole band’s general vigor, it’s no wonder I never get tired of them. Grouping Foo Fighters with bands like Bush and Nickelback is just a huge disservice.

The band also write lyrics, that while secondary to the music, display masculine values in a positive light that don’t degrade femininity or others that don’t ascribe to them. They’re almost always about confidence, strength, and perseverance, and it’s this forward throttle that makes Foo Fighters such a fun band. They’re a hit-making, hard rock machine, and they clearly have always simply loved what they do. If you’re only as old as you feel, then hopefully Foo Fighters will remain young and fresh. The argument for Wasting Light being their best album is certainly there, showing that they still have an undying love for simple, “no bullshit” rock music. And so do I.

Release Ranking: There Is Nothing Left to Lose > Foo Fighters > Wasting Light > The Colour and the Shape > In Your Honor > One by One > Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace > Saint Cecilia EP > Concrete and Gold > Sonic Highways

Top Five Songs: “Good Grief,” “Generator,” “Wattershed,” “Learn to Fly,” “Everlong”