Review Summary: If you’re looking for a classic Nickelback release, this isn’t it.
Get Rollin’ is Nickelback’s latest album - there’s your fancy headliner. There isn’t much left to say about a band barely switching gears since the 90s. The only surprise here is Nickelback completely giving in to their country music leanings and giving us the tracks High Time and Steel Still Rusts. Aside from that the typical soft rock, ballads and butt rock tunes reign supreme. Add in some sexual lyrics and their classic
we’re-in-it-to-party attitude and it’s Nickelback alright; on a similar note, the lyrics are not worth digging into.
Half of the album involves weak sauce, forgettable tunes for the radio that are so derivative of old Nickelback singles they are interchangeable. On that note, the song Horizon sounds like a squeaky clean radio single that Faber Drive might’ve played in their hay day, which is no compliment. The three butt rock tunes with any edge here are San Quentin, Skinny Little Missy, and Vegas Bomb. These “harder” tracks are obnoxious attempts at recreating their Dark Horse vibe, with the result of sounding as recycled as they are. The thinly veiled pop rock, and also straight pop in the album (the easiest example is Just One More) is not fooling anyone, even with a tiny handful of riffs. One might say Nickelback excel at catchy/pleasant enough tunes, but the tracks get old fast. If I had to single a song out for returning to I’d pick High Time; High Time has a fun enough beat in the verse to get down and funky with if in the right mood.
Nickelback have eyes fixed on their destination, yet choose the straight and narrow path every time, neglecting sight seeing - the songwriting lacks nuance. The melodies, riffs and drums are much too straightforward, and songs play out in obvious, safe directions. It feels lazy, sure Vegas Bomb is catchy enough, but it’s so calculated and void of passion that it doesn’t hit hard at all. I don’t think it’s deniable that Nickelback is missing the energy they once had. The always dependable - though predictable - Canadian rock giants gave us that rock and roll, often with hits like Feed the Machine, Burn it to the Ground, Flat On The Floor, etc. While the tracks roll well enough on Get Rollin’, the rock portion is surprisingly fluffy. Check Standing In The Dark which is a great song for casual music fans, the type that play music in the background without realizing what band is playing.
Once again, Nickelback have crafted an album that is good enough. For grown up Nickelback fans I suppose you can’t go wrong, the songs are generally pleasant and easy to relax with. Of course, you’ll have to sit through cringey lyrics like usual, but what else is new? Answer: nothing. It’s the band you knew from way back when, playing to your nostalgia, but forsaking crafting original art. They aren’t just stuck in the past, they are connected intravenously to it. It’s clear this is a lacklustre album, while I’m sure it will sell, it will only hinder their legacy.
