Nickelback are a band from Hanna, Alberta. Frounted by Chad Kroeger, the band have been together since 1995, which may be surprising to some. The bands name, as trivial and childish as it seems, is just that, with Mike Kroeger coming up with it due to him having to give a nickel back for change repeatedly at a local coffee shop he worked at. Their debut album, Curb came out to mixed reviews and little attention outside of Alberta. However, things started to pick up for the boys when The State was released in 2000. The single, Leader Of Men got steady radio play in much of Canada and on MuchMusic. Not by any means a huge success, but for a band that struggled to keep its collective head above water for the majority of their career, the success was uncharted territory. Few people could foresee what would happen next, and with the release of Silver Side Up in 2001, many were thunderstruck at the amount of attention this little band from Hanna would get in the next few months. The single How You Remind, was the biggest single of 2002, giving the band a certain superstar statice, in Canada, and more surprisingly in the largest market in the world, the United States.
With all the hype around this band, their follow up was highly anticipated by fans, and by critics wanting another shot at the band. This situation of course is not new, many bands dealt this card find a new style, knowing the hardship of trying to match up with their smash hit. Bands like Radiohead hit their peak in one genre with Ok Computer, and change so they can grow. Guns N Roses is another example of this, Appetite For Destruction was a massive success, and Axel and the band went in another direction with their follow up, wanting to grow and move on, rather then cling to what made them who they are. This sadly is not the case for Nickleback, on September 23, 2003, The Long Road was released to fans joy, and critics dismay.
Nickelback:
- Chad Kroeger (guitar, vocals)
- Ryan Peake (guitar, vocals)
- Mike Kroeger (bass)
- Ryan Vikedal (drums)
The album kicks off with a slower paced track, Flat On The Floor uses a riff that no doubt you have heard before, but the drum work gives the song a nice touch. The lyrics though, take away from any good amounted by Vikedal decent beat. About one of Kroeger’s beer excursions, and as interesting as that sounds, the song does not add up to a whole lot, playing on stereotypical teenage antics anyone would find at a tenth graders first party. Lyrics such as “I won't be standing up for long I better learn how to crawl” made this song unbearable to listen to unless you pay very little attention to what is coming out of the singers mouth. Believe It Or Not is another song that is that average radio track, if it was not for Kroeger’s terrible voice, rambling on lyrics that look like everyone’s first failed attempt to write their own song at twelve years old. Peake does a nice job on guitar, and drums once again shine alight on Vikedal, just when you hear lyrics such as, “Cause faith is so hard to find; But you don't, and you won't, until we figure out”, make a song appear as a joke, but of course is just another Nickelback song. Another song that uses this formula is Because Of You. The song starts off with the best guitar riff on the album, and show how good Peake really is at his chosen instrument. The bass, like on most of the tracks is near invisable, and when you do get a chance to hear it, you wish you had not. The bass player seems to be out classed by even the singer, and takes a backseat on the album. The lyrics are the same old story, corny and proud of it. Kroeger’s vocals are decent on the song, making it better then most of the songs on the album though.
You may be thinking I’m just a “hater” at this point, and to you, I say nay. There are pretty good songs scattered throughout the album. Songs like Feelin’ Way Too Damn Good, Figured You Out, and Should’ve Listened are all decent radio rock tracks that anyone can enjoy from time to time. Feelin’ Way Too Damn Good seems to be about a relationship Kroeger’s had at one point or another. The song has a real laid back feel to it, and then drops into a solid rock song with heavy drums and good guitar work. The vocals are average, and lyrics are quite witty for a love song. Figured You Out is another song that goes down the same path, the song being about a relationship, the good and bad, and is really enjoyable to listen to in your car, or at work, like any good radio hit. The guitar is heavily distorted, and makes for a unique song from an album that does not have many stand outs. The drums are done nicely, to give the song that in arena feel, worth going to a show for this one song I would think, well on second thought. Nevertheless the song is the high point on the album, and would recommend the track to anyone. Also Should’ve Listened is another decent/good track, being more laid back then the others. The acoustic gives it a different complection then the other two. Kroeger puts together his best vocal performance on the album, and to be honest, the best I have heard from the Canadian singer. All three are worth a spin to any radio rock/ mainstream rock fan out there, however if you need a little more from your music, like any semblance of intelligent lyrics or creative riffs, these are just three more Nickelback songs.
Now that the few good points of the album are taken care of, I will move back to what Nickelback are becoming more and more known for. Songs like Throw Yourself Away, Someday, and See You At The Show are by the books mainstream rock songs that do not add anything new to the band, or music in general. Throw Yourself Away, being the generic title that it is, does not fall far from that mark on the actually song. The track starts off with a metal riff that has been past down through generations to every “talented” band smart enough to pick it up. Also, I’m afraid the lyrics are no better, with Kroeger spouting off lyrics such as, “Baby's born on a bathroom floor, her mother prays that it'll never cry; But nothing's wrong you've got your prom dress on”, show off why Kroeger has no business writing lyrics. Someday, another seemingly by the books mainstream rock song seems decent at first listen. However if you have heard their smash hit record, you start to stumble on how much this song sounds just like How You Remind Me. The song follows the same progression, chords are similar, and vocals sound identical. Both songs are the albums first single, and this is just another example of Nickelback ripping off Nickelback on this album. See You At The Show is another one of those tasteless rock songs that you heard near everyday on any radio station. The track is about a fans experience at one of their shows, one can only imagine the poor souls misfortune having to “ride around with all of us” and “lighting it up, till we burn it down” with the band after the show.
Nickelback’s follow up to the six time platinum smash hit, Silver Side Up, was in-essence, the same album with a different name. The band did not grow in musicianship or lyrical content in anyway conceivable. With the stage set, a large fan base to play for, and attention like few bands get, Nickelback chose to do the same thing, the same old played out riffs, the same old love songs, and the same old, same old. I would love to tell you this album did not sell, and Nickelback fell off the charts, this sadly is not the case. The album went on to respectful numbers, selling over three million copies. Sadly Nickelback have just become another imitator of themself, like Default and Theory of a Deadman, they continue to do what they think works, and that is no longer good enough.
Pros:
- Decent guitar riffs at times.
- Drums were done well.
Cons:
- Short album.
- Vocals are terrible for the most part.
- Lyrics are juvenile at best.
Recommended Songs:
- Feelin’ Way Too Damn Good
- Figured You Out
- Should’ve Listened
Final Score:
2/5 (Poor)
