The Run That Back series is a deep dive into some of music’s most popular or underrated projects. Whether it's been 5 years or 50, there’s never a wrong time to "run that back."
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Foo Fighters had already defined themselves as one of Rock’s finest bands by 2011. Not happy to rest on their past accomplishments and phone it in, the Foos wanted to raise the bar and offer up an album that would be considered one of the best in their storied career.
It’s hard to believe, but the Foo Fighters seventh studio album Wasting Light celebrates its tenth anniversary on April 12, 2021.
The album came at an interesting time in the band’s career as they were coming off of an unusually extended break. In the two years prior to the album’s release, the band scaled back their touring efforts and only played 13 shows.
The time off afforded the band the opportunity to not only recharge, but to create a new vision. Make an album that would define the band. “There are a few bands that later in their career have made one album that kinda defines the band,” frontman Dave Grohl said in a 2010 interview.
“It might not be their best album, but it's the one people identify the band with the most, like [AC/DC's] Back In Black or the Metallica Black record. It's like you take all of the things that people consider your band's signature characteristics and just amplify them and make one simple album with that.”
Never ones to do things the easy way, the Foo Fighters put another challenge on themselves for this record. Ditch digital recording techniques and only use analog equipment.
The band recorded at Dave Grohl’s garage in Encino, California and were forced to be tight in their sessions due to the technical limitations put in place. They spent eleven weeks making the record with each song recorded and mixed in a week.
When Wasting Light was released, their ambitious efforts paid off. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart as two singles, “Rope” and “Walk,” both his number one on the Billboard Alternative and Rock charts.
Additionally, the album and its songs were nominated for five GRAMMY Awards including the prestigious Album of the Year award. Wasting Light ended up winning the award for Best Rock Album. The single “White Limo” won the Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance award while the single “Walk” won the Best Rock Performance and Best Rock songs awards.
Wasting Light also provided the Foo Fighters with several songs that have since become concert staples. If you attend a Foo Fighters show, chances are high you’ll hear “Walk,” “These Days,” and “Rope” in concert.
While it'll be up for debate amongst fans whether or not Wasting Light is the album that defines the band's career, the Foo Fighters certainly can look back ten years late and make the strong claim they delivered on that promise.
WATCH MORE: We love the Foo Fighters and this tour rider tells us why
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