band has ever attempted . The closing song “ Rest ” begins as a hushed acoustic reverie until it explodes with multi-tracked distorted guitars that would make Kevin Shields blush . It seems as though the personal loss has shaken the complacency off of the Foo Fighters sound and the results are undeniable . With veteran session / touring drummer Josh Freese taking over the drum stool and the band bolstered by this impressive set of songs , this upcoming tour should be absolutely revelatory .
– Andy Derer
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16 illinoisentertainer . com july 2023
FOO FIGHTERS But Here We Are
( RCA Records )
When Dave Grohl first recorded under the moniker Foo Fighters he was dealing with the loss of Kurt Cobain , the voice of a generation , his bandmate and friend . That album crackled with a bristling energy that was not beholden to the sounds of Nirvana or the dozens of soundalike bands on MTV at the time . While Dave and Kurt were close , the tumultuous three years they worked together are absolutely dwarfed by the 25-year relationship that Dave had with Taylor Hawkins , the long-term Foo Fighters drummer . When Hawkins passed away unexpectedly last year at the age of 50 , Foo Fighters were enjoying an especially fruitful era for the band . The previous decade had turned the band into a global sensation amongst the upper crust of touring rock bands like U2 , Coldplay , and even The Rolling Stones . Grohl being the ambassador of rock and roll goodwill found the group achieving a success that some would say even eclipsed that of Nirvana . It seemed like nothing could go wrong . But here we are . The band ’ s first concept album is born out of grief but is never a downer . Opener “ Rescued ” sets the tone for a cathartic , loud rock album that is part obituary and part rebirth . “ Under You ” finds Grohl in top form with a catchy power-pop melody that wouldn ’ t be out of place on Weezer ’ s early albums . Even this sunny anthem eulogizes Taylor with grace and ease looking back on fond memories of sharing songs and cigarettes . If this doesn ’ t become a huge summer hit single somebody dropped the ball . Back on the drum kit for the first time since 1997 ’ s The Colour And The Shape , Dave ’ s playing is nimble yet muscular , imbuing every song with a certain power and heft . “ Beyond Me ” is another instant earworm that should eventually grace airwaves nationwide . Dave duets with his daughter Violet on the shadowy and seductive “ Show Me How .” The climax of the album is “ The Teacher ” a ten-minute suite that finds Dave processing losing his mother Virginia , a school teacher who raised him on her own after his parents split when he was six years old . It ’ s easily the most ambitious thing the
MOON Sapiens
( Lunoptic )
Adventurous Chicago-based trio Moon offers Sapiens their fourth full-length album . During 15 years as a band , Moon has refined a sound that is increasingly sure to engage fans of post-rock , space-rock , shoegaze , and heavy indie rock . Sapiens ’ track listing may seem light on content at six songs , but this carefully arranged and emotive material unfolds patiently with durations between six and eight minutes per tune . This is immersive music that features guitarist and singer David Azizinamini ’ s ruminations on humanity ’ s potential for grace and brutality with additional themes of love and loss . “ Kings ” opens the track with Church-like feedback before launching into a taut rhythmic groove a la latter-era Prayer Chain . In his keening tenor , Azizinamini calls for a peacemaker in fractured times . “ Oh , Martin Luther , I could use you now ,” he sings alongside images of unrest in the streets and rage in the belly . Chris Shen leads the fray in “ Cross ” with a burbling bass melody while drummer Christopher Schneberger responds with rhythmic thunder . Azizinamini ’ s impassioned vocal is offered in a rhythmic chant while questioning the religious convictions of those around him . People who take comfort in promised blessings seem to be acting out as agents of disaster in the community and the world at large . “ Tell me I ’ m wrong and I ’ ll show you the front page ,” he sings . The powerful song rides atop a spacious drone reminiscent of Hum and My Bloody Valentine .