168: "Best of You" Vs. "Like a Stone" (W/Pat Finnerty!)

The episode pits Foo Fighters' anthem "Best of You" against Audioslave's brooding ballad "Like a Stone," using the rivalry to explore why the 2000s remain a defining decade for modern rock. Host Todd Nathanson, co‑host Lena Morgan, and guest Pat Finnerty dissect how the era’s post‑grunge landscape birthed commercial powerhouses like Foo Fighters while also giving rise to supergroups such as Audioslave. Their conversation weaves personal anecdotes—Pat’s Instagram "Grohl‑athon" and Todd’s early Foo Fighters fandom—into a broader narrative about how nostalgia fuels today’s music discourse.

In the first deep‑dive, the panel critiques "Best of You" as a chart‑topping, radio‑friendly staple that cemented Foo Fighters’ mainstream dominance. They note Dave Grohl’s raw, repetitive vocal delivery and the music video’s hyper‑energetic hallway shots, arguing that the song’s relentless chant can feel overbearing after repeated listens. Yet, its commercial success—being the band’s highest‑charting single—underscores the track’s role in shaping early‑2000s rock radio. The discussion also touches on Grohl’s personal quirks, from his famously bright teeth to his candid pandemic memoir, adding human texture to the analysis.

Switching to Audioslave, the hosts highlight Chris Cornell’s haunting lyricism and the song’s measured tempo, which creates a contemplative mood absent from Foo Fighters’ bombast. Tom Morello’s distinctive guitar textures receive mixed reactions; some praise his experimental edge, while others view the solo as a jarring departure from the song’s restraint. Listeners are reminded that "Like a Stone" captures Cornell’s pre‑mortality reflections, resonating with fans who value emotional depth over chart performance. By juxtaposing these tracks, the episode illustrates how the 2000s rock era balanced commercial appeal with artistic introspection, offering a nuanced perspective for today’s business‑savvy music professionals.