Wasting Light

With Wasting Light, Foo Fighters set out to translate their mighty live sound to a studio setting. On the earthquake-inducing powder keg "White Limo", frontman Dave Grohl harks back to his hardcore days, unleashing bloodcurdling vocal screeches and abrasive metallic riffage. Punk guitars connect like uppercuts on "Bridge Burning", while the gleeful "Dear Rosemary"—which features Bob Mould providing muscular vocal harmonies—amplifies the band's more melodic, power-pop-friendly side, making for a record as hooky as it is pummelling.