As it validates someone’s pain, “Best of You” urges that person to resist further abuse. Charity pervades “In Your Honor” (“Mine is yours and yours is mine/There is no divide”). While vague, “What If I Do?” prays to the Lord and seems to be grappling with spiritual issues. Lead singer Dave Grohl is willing to do what it takes to persevere (“Resolve,” “On the Mend”) and is grateful for a heaven-sent relationship (“Miracle”). He expresses frustration and wishes he could help a self-absorbed friend crippled by a lack of perspective (“Cold Day in the Sun”).
References to death are just equivocal enough to reinforce angst in a depressed teen (“DOA,” “In Your Honor”). They’re exacerbated by tracks that romanticize the suicides of a jilted man (“Razor”) and a pair of star-crossed lovers (“Still”). Darkness envelopes the listener on “The Deepest Blues Are Black” and “Hell” (“Sing farewell/ See you in hell … The horrible electric chair/See you in hell”). A mild profanity appears on “Free Me.”
Fans of Coldplay may be drawn to this band’s sleepy, lyrically ambiguous rock. Sadly, Foo Fighters lack Coldplay’s optimism. A few positive thoughts and plenty of abstruse head-scratchers notwithstanding, songs about suicide leave an indelible impression.
After serving as an associate editor at NavPress’ Discipleship Journal and consulting editor for Current Thoughts and Trends, Adam now oversees the editing and publishing of Plugged In’s reviews as the site’s director. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three children. In their free time, the Holzes enjoy playing games, a variety of musical instruments, swimming and … watching movies.
