Friday Song: “Show Me How”

The Foo Fighters have released their first album since the unexpected and premature death of their drummer, Taylor Hawkins. Its title — But Here We Are — elicits a moment in a conversation, a moment of grudging acceptance of something terrible.

Originally gaining fame drumming for Alanis Morissette, Hawkins joined the Foo Fighters in 1997. His friendship with Foo Fighters founder and frontman Dave Grohl was deep and intense, as they fused in their vision to make the Foo Fighters the biggest band in the world. They also shared an infectious energy and love of music.

Hawkins shocking death at the age of 50, while at the peak of his abilities and with the band playing sold out shows in South America, led to a great outpouring of praise and sorrow.

Now, the Foo Fighters join in publicly with But Here We Are.

Redolent with grief, hope, love, and longing for a friend who suddenly disappeared, the album is a masterpiece. Grohl, one of the great singing screamers of all time, is in peak form, and he deserves massive credit for sharing his heart in this manner. The rage, heartache, and despair in his voice on the title track is primal and frightening. The songwriting is varied and special.

The music speaks for itself. I urge you to give it a listen.

This selection is on the thoughtful end of the spectrum, but there is plenty of confusion and heartbreak revealed throughout the album — feelings channeled into music for a friend and inspiration lost too soon.