Foo Fighters, Medicine at Midnight | Album Review 💿

Following a three-year hiatus, Dave Grohl and Foo Fighters return with a totally worthwhile tenth LP, Medicine at Midnight.

There are only a select few rock artists that build up huge anticipation when they announce a new album in the 2020s.  The 🎙 Dave Grohl-led, 🏆 Grammy-winning, totally badass 🎙 Foo Fighters are among those select few. All hail these rock kings 👑! In 2021, they return with a fantastic, tenth studio album, 💿 Medicine at Midnight. Once again, the band enlists the services of 🎛 Greg Kurstin behind the boards (he also produced 💿 Concrete and Gold back in 2017).  So, let’s dive right in – excellence awaits!

“Making a Fire”

A totally badass band deserves a totally badass start to an album, right?  Right! That’s exactly what Foo Fighters get with ✅ 🎵 “Making a Fire” which rocks from the jump.  Safe to say, that fire is sufficiently made!  The groove latches instantly, while the guitars embrace the beauty of overdrive and Dave Grohl is true to self.  Adding to the allure is a tuneful melody, particularly on the chorus, which is quite memorable.  Adding to its memorable nature are the backing vocals, giving life to some sick “na-na, na-na-na-na-na-na’s.” Epic start.

Follow-up ✅ 🎵 “Shame Shame” actually signaled the return of Foo Fighters. The groove is 🔥 from start to finish.  The sound is quite intriguing, particularly the guitar and bass riffs, coupled with those mammoth drums.  Initially, I was slightly less intrigued by the overall execution, however. Vocally, Grohl is more subtle than overt, for example. It’s enigmatic though, making the listener tune in to see how “Shame Shame” progresses. Grohl grows more assertive, though never percolates into hard rocking epic-ness per se. Melodically, there’s a respectable tune, particularly the repeated “shame(s).”’ After hearing it within the context of Medicine at Midnight, I’m more convinced this ‘change of pace’ is indeed a success for the beloved band.

Also, check out: 🎧 12 Songs Filled with Utter Shame

“Cloudspotter”

Following “Making a Fire” and ‘grower’ “Shame Shame” is a tall task.  They truly set the tone of the album.  It’s no problem ultimately as 🎵 “Cloudspotter” maintains the consistency of Medicine at Midnight.  While Grohl, assisted by backing vocals, pulls back more on the verses, the energy is definitely ‘on ten’ by the time the pre-chorus arrives and he growls: “I need to know, but I don’t ask why / Refuse me while I kiss the sky.”  That sets up another epic chorus, something that Foo Fighters do absolutely superbly on Medicine to Midnight.  Not only is the music electric, so are the lyrics, as Grohl asserts, “Swing, swing, guillotine queen / Cut me back down to size…”

Question: “Is there more to this than that?” ✅ 🎵 “Waiting on a War” ranks among the most thoughtful records from Medicine at Midnight.  On this particular record, Grohl reflects on the state of world and the effect that it has on the young, who are often adversely affected by the happenings of the world.  Inspired by his own childhood during the 80s and a conversation with his daughter, he perfectly captures the sentiment of feeling like war is imminent when that shouldn’t be the case.  Perhaps the lyric that stands out the most is, “Every day waiting for the sky to fall,” which is both metaphorical but in also quite literal in some cases.

“Medicine at Midnight”

Despite the fact that he needs “medicine at midnight,” Grohl makes it clear that such medicine “ain’t no cure” on ✅ 🎵 “Medicine at Midnight.”  As you’d expect, the title track is quite distinct, separating itself from everything that precedes and follows.  This is a song that manages to rock hard but also brings both dance and soul to the table.  Given the lyrical references to dance (“Rain on the dance floor, back against the ropes”), it makes perfect sense that musically it channels the dance floor as well. No, Foo Fighters haven’t become a disco collective or dance rock band, but there’s a pretty cool experimentation stylistically here.  Definitely musical medicine if nothing else.  

“No son of mine, will ever do / The work of villains, the will of fools.” Right on, right on! ✅ 🎵 “No Son of Mine”, the second single from Medicine at Midnight, is quite energetic and rousing. It starts with those electrifying, jagged guitars, that pretty much roar, like a lion, from the jump.  Furthermore, the bass anchors things down, while the drums pummel hard AF.  The biggest pro is none other than the electrifying front man, Grohl, who is as potent and turned-up as ever.  Everything about the song rocks hard, including the repetitive, infectious and in-your-face titular lyric.  Not only does “No son of mine” appear on the chorus (four times in most instances) it appears on every verse multiple times.  No, the Foos aren’t serving up a poetic lyrical masterpiece, but they have clear intent, per the front man’s quote from Rolling Stone: “Lyrically it’s meant to poke at the hypocrisy of self-righteous leaders, people that are guilty of committing the crimes they’re supposedly against…” “No Son of Mine” is a big and obnoxious record, and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

Also, check out: 🎧 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: January 2021

“Holding Poison” 

“No Son of Mine” is another tough act to follow – it has the case for the best song from Medicine to Midnight.  How do the Foos proceed?  How about another hard rocking, up tempo joint in 🎵 “Holding Poison”? “Holding Poison” is just what the doctor ordered: It’s loud AF, has some truly nasty guitar riffs, Grohl is chocked-full of personality, and once more, we get another thrilling chorus. Oh, and did I mention the guitar solo? Phew 🤘! 

Expectedly, the pace slackens on the penultimate record, 🎵 “Chasing Birds.”  Raucous Dave Grohl goes away, as he opts for kinder, gentler vocals.  While we adore him when he’s in full-on, overblown mode, often, we underrate just how great he sounds when he is more understatement.  “Chasing Birds” is a beautiful rock ballad in all respects – lyrics, music, and of course, the vocals. 🎵 “Love Dies Young” concludes with a faster pace, louder dynamics, and more assertive, nuanced vocals by Grohl.  Interestingly, the record has a cool, throwback rock feel – the glory days if you will. It’s not the crowning achievement of Medicine at Midnight mind you, but it successfully caps off this fine return by band.

Final Thoughts 💭 

All in all, Medicine at Midnight is a well-rounded tenth studio album by Foo Fighters. It’s short at just 37 minutes in total runtime, but quite sweet.  From my perspective, Grohl and company don’t miss a beat – there’s no glaring cons to be found.  While “Shame Shame” seemed to be an early indication Medicine at Midnight might have its share of flaws, within the context of the album, it honestly redeems itself.  This isn’t a transcendent, game changing album by the band at this point – they’ve more than proven themselves over the years – but this a great addition to their discography by all means. 

✅ Gems 💎: “Making a Fire,” “Shame Shame,” “Waiting on a War,” “Medicine at Midnight” & “No Son of Mine”

🎙 Foo Fighters • 💿 Medicine at Midnight • 🏷 Roswell / RCA • 🗓 2.5.21

[📷: Roswell / RCA]