Wasting Light

Wasting Light
A collage of green, blue and pink face pictures of the Foo Fighters members against a black background. Above it is the title "FOO FIGHTERS – WASTING LIGHT" in red letters.
Studio album by
ReleasedApril 12, 2011 (2011-04-12)
RecordedSeptember 6 – December 21, 2010
StudioDave Grohl's residence in Encino, California
Genre
Length47:55
Label
Producer
Foo Fighters chronology
Greatest Hits
(2009)
Wasting Light
(2011)
Medium Rare
(2011)
Singles from Wasting Light
  1. "Rope"
    Released: March 1, 2011
  2. "White Limo"
    Released: March 28, 2011[1]
  3. "Walk"
    Released: June 17, 2011
  4. "Arlandria"
    Released: September 18, 2011
  5. "These Days"
    Released: November 1, 2011
  6. "Bridge Burning"
    Released: June 5, 2012

Wasting Light is the seventh studio album by American rock band Foo Fighters, released on April 12, 2011, through Roswell and RCA Records. Wanting to capture the essence of their earlier work and avoid the artificiality of digital recording, Foo Fighters recorded the album in the garage of frontman Dave Grohl in Encino, California, using only analog equipment. The sessions were produced by the band alongside Butch Vig, with whom Grohl had worked on Nirvana's Nevermind. Since the old equipment did not allow for many mistakes to be corrected in post-production, the band spent three weeks rehearsing the songs, and Vig had to relearn outdated editing techniques. The band sought a heavier and rawer sound in contrast to the experimentation of their previous albums. Most of the lyrics were written as Grohl reflected upon his life and possible future. Guest musicians include Bob Mould, Krist Novoselic, Jessy Greene, Rami Jaffee and Fee Waybill. Pat Smear played as an official member of the band for the first time since The Colour and the Shape (1997).

The recording sessions were documented on the band's website and Twitter. Promotion included the documentary Back and Forth and a worldwide concert tour that included performances in fans' garages. Wasting Light was preceded by the successful single "Rope", which became only the second song ever to debut at number one on Billboard's Rock Songs chart. The follow-up single, "Walk", also charted highly. Wasting Light debuted at number one in eleven countries, including the United States, and received positive reviews from most music critics, who praised the production and songwriting. In 2012, Wasting Light earned four Grammy Awards, including Best Rock Album.

  1. ^ "White Limo – Single by Foo Fighters – Single on iTunes". iTunes. Archived from the original on November 12, 2012. Retrieved April 12, 2009.