Foo Fighters, But Here We Are | Album Review 💿

In the midst of grief and tragedy, Dave Grohl and Foo Fighters deliver a consistent, incredibly well executed 11^th studio album with But Here We Are.

Moving forward after a massive loss is tough. When the beloved 🎙 Taylor Hawkins died in 2022, it was truly devastating and definitely unexpected.  Had 🎙 Foo Fighters called it quits after the loss of their incredibly talented drummer 🥁, no one would’ve blamed them. However, rather than throwing in the towel, 🎙 Dave Grohl and company ultimately decided to move forward as a band, releasing their 11^th studio album, 💿 But Here We Are.  With the ever awesome  🎛 Greg Kurstin behind the boards, Foo Fighters easily deliver one of the best albums of 2023. Post-Taylor Hawkins, this LP just hits a little different from the renowned, 🏆 Grammy-winning collective. 

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“Rescued”

But Here We Are fittingly commences with the dynamic lead single, 🎵 “Rescued”.  “Rescued” was produced by the band alongside 🎛 Greg Kurstin. The sound is strong – dynamic, as in LOUD AND IN YOUR FACE LIKE IT’S SCREAMING AT YOU 🤘!!! Grohl is intense with his drumming and vocals.  He seeks to memorialize his late friend and bandmate, as well as carry on the torch.  “It came in a flash, it came outta nowhere,” Grohl sings in the first verse, adding, “It happened so fast, and then it was over.” In the chorus, he asserts, “I’m just waitin’ to be rescued, bring me back to life / …We’re all just waitin’ to be rescued tonight.” The record is a reaction to Hawkins’ unexpected passing, and how it has affected the band. “Rescued” is an honest and powerful statement by the 🏆 Grammy-winning band: “We’re all just waitin’ to be rescued tonight.”

Appears in 🔻: 

• Awesome Songs: April 2023
• 13 Songs Filled with Grief, Mourning & Remembrance (2023)

🤩 🎵 “Under You” keeps the momentum of But Here We Are going strong – it’s ripped, bro 💪! It boasts an exuberant sound, set in a major key. Instrumentally, among the sweetest auditory experiences is the robust sounds of the guitar.  Similarly, the bass is turnt up too. As always, Dave Grohl delivers a strong vocal performance. “Under You” features a well-rounded, straightforward form; sometimes straightforwardness can be refreshing.  Furthermore, “Under You” benefits from its tuneful melody, particularly in the chorus: “There are days I can’t remember, there are days that last forever / Someday I’ll come out from under you, out from under you.”

“Hearing Voices”

“I’ve been hearing voices / None of them are you.” Excellence continues on 🤩 🎵 “Hearing Voices”, which contrasts the major key of 🎵 “Under You” in favor of a darker vibe and, fittingly, a minor key. The rhythmic guitar intro is an early W for Foo Fighters, while another anchoring bass line doesn’t hurt either. Notably, Dave Grohl initially sings in an undertone, which suits the enigmatic aesthetic (“It’s quiet in my room / The silence is unfair”).  No worries though as Grohl rises to the occasion soon enough. Some nice wrinkles in the harmonic scheme keep “Hearing Voices” from being predictable.  Generally, Foo Fighters have a knack for this. Three songs in, “Hearing Voices” continues the tuneful vibes of But Here We Are. 

The initial groove sets up 🤩 🎵 “But Here We Are,” the title track, for success 👍. While the song is stable early on, eventually, the record settles in more and becomes clearer. Like previous tracks, the harmonic scheme makes the ears perk up.  There are some cool minimalist ideas – riffs handled by guitar and bass. That said, it might be the assertiveness of Dave Grohl on the chorus that takes the case.  It is easily one of the most memorable of the album!

“I gave you my heart

But here we are

Saved you my heart

But here we are

Oh-oh, oh-oh

But here we are.”

In the third verse, Grohl retains the grittiness of the chorus 👏.  An instrumental bridge marks another epic moment from this thoroughly enjoyable title track.

“The Glass”

“I had a vision of you, and just like that / I was left to live without it, left to live without it.”  The consistency continues of But Here We Are continues in the fifth track, 🎵 “The Glass.” The melody never ceases to catch the ears, while Dave Grohl remains on autopilot singing.  The guitars roar, providing a fine wall of sound.  The bass provides the foundation, and the drumming, sans the beloved Taylor Hawkins, is solid… as a rock 🪨! Like much of But Here We Are, the chorus is EVERYTHING.  🎵 “Nothing At All” has a bit more tempo behind it, a welcome contrast to “The Glass.” Groove and rhythm dominate, providing ample fuel for Grohl’s fire 🔥.  Just when you believe that the verses showed all of the musical cards for Foo Fighters, the chorus comes around and adds a different look.  Anytime that Grohl can tap into his aggressive side, it’s a win.  The bridge continues the spark that Grohl showcases in the chorus.  Likewise, he builds up this spark in the final chorus and outro.

“Where are you now? / Who will show me how?” Sigh, what reflective, thought-provoking lyrics. 🤩 🎵 “Show Me How,” the seventh track, provides stark contrast. Notably, there are the addition of female vocals to the mix, courtesy of Grohl’s daughter, 🎙 Violet Grohl.  Violet sings wonderfully during solo moments as well as duetting alongside her father. Besides the kinder, gentler sound contributed by those vocals, “Show Me How” feels different from everything else. The single is not hard rock.  Rather, it dwells in a pop-oriented realm.  Even so, it does NOT feel like selling out; Given the somberness of the record, the sound feels appropriate.

“Beyond Me”

Ask yourself this question: “If it all ended today / Would you be fine? Would you be fine?” Food for thought. Dave Grohl inquires in the verses of 🤩 🎵 “Beyond Me,” yet another gem from But Here We Are. Notably, “Beyond Me” is drum-less for the first two minutes, before Grohl comes in totally swinging (not literally swinging though… this isn’t jazz after all 😝).  Melodically, it is one of the most beautiful tunes, further amplified when Foo Fighters kick things up a notch.  The chorus is simple but potent, while the guitar solo following the second chorus is utterly sublime 🤘.

“Hey kid, what’s the plan for tomorrow?” Did your teacher or parent ever ask that question in some form or fashion? 🤩 🎵 “The Teacher” runs past 10 minutes in duration.  That is ambitious for any song, particularly the penultimate number.  Even with its length, “The Teacher” is honest, meaningful, reflective, and vulnerable.  Grohl uses various metaphors to express grief and a difficult time in his life, following the passing of Hawkins and specifically about his mother (“You showed me how to breathe, never show me how to say goodbye”).  The reference to death and loss are prevalent, such as “Sun goes down, windows wide / One step closer to the other side,” as well as, “There are some things you cannot choose / Soul and spirit movin’ through.” Grohl concludes “The Teacher” dynamically with the repetition of what he was never taught: “Goodbye.”

🎵 “Rest” marks the coda for But Here We Are. The second longest record, following the set’s longest, “Rest,” sequentially, appears in the right spot.  Where the album began with the reaction to the loss of  Taylor Hawkins (🎵 “Rescued”), it concludes remembering not only him but also remembering Grohl’s mom, Virginia.  It is sad but incredibly thoughtful as Grohl sings, “Rest, you can rest now.”

Final Thoughts 💭 

There is no doubt that But Here We Are had to be a tough album for Foo Fighters to make.  Kudos to the band for pushing forward in the midst of grief and tragedy.  Ultimately, But Here We Are is utterly sublime – a fitting farewell and tribute to Taylor Hawkins.  Furthermore, Grohl does a fantastic job of conveying the sadness he feels regarding the loss of his mom.  It’s not all doom and gloom, and even when it is dark, musically, But Here We Are is marvelously executed.  Yep, Foo Fighters have dropped one of the best albums of 2023.  

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🤩 Gems 💎: “Rescued,” “Under You,” “Hearing Voices,” “But Here We Are,” “Show Me How,” “Beyond Me” & “The Teacher”

🎙 Foo Fighters • 💿 But Here We Are • 🏷 Roswell • 🗓 6.2.23

[📷: Roswell]