Review Summary: Yeah, it's cliche, but obviously, people enjoy it, but just won't say it. How else can you explain their success, and how critisized they are at the same time? I see no reason to hate these guys. They are bringing back something great.
I know I'm gonna get some crap for this. Nickelback has been one of the most criticized bands off all time. This band has made it this far though, so obviously, SOMEONE likes them. People say they're horrible, but at the same time, they're making all this money, playing all these shows, made it super popular, so obviously, people enjoy them. You just don't hear it often, and this is one of those times you do. Dark Horse is, in fact, the album that got me into them.
Dark Horse starts out with it's incredible hard rock, classic-sounding songs “Something in your mouth” and “Burn it to the ground”. I'm not the first one to think this, but they are bringing back PURE rock. “Something in your mouth” is an example of how horny Chad Kroeger can be, with it's sexual lyrics (“Got to meet the hottie with the million dollar body, they say it's over-budget, but you pay her just to touch it...”, “You ripping up the dance floor honey, you shake your ass around for everyone, love the way you dance with anybody...” and so on. I'm also horny enough to enjoy that song. It's a great start to the album. That song I can easily just grab and head bang, it's that amazing. “Burn it to the ground” is pretty much another “night club” song. Talks about going crazy and partying, and just not giving a rats ass (Yeah, I'm pretty soft). Great one, except the guitar in the beginning makes you think “What the hell?”, and they use a little too much whammy in the solo. Yet, the backgrounds are amazing, and so is Chad, and the bridge definitely gives me something good. Both songs are pretty much include the same thing (Not saying they sound the same). Hard rock riffs, high range vocals, good solos, and just something to jump to. I really mean it, the solos in this album are badass. To me, it's like it's literally filling me up with energy.
If you listen to Dark Horse, you'll notice a pattern: Sexual music, including “Next Go Round”, which has Chad Kroeger playing a guy who doesn't care and just wants to get his girl and do it. This one was a little screwy for me. At the beginning, I mean it, I was literally feeling sick. Not because of the lyrics, because of the guitar work in the beginning. It's a good rocker, but about the worst way to open a song. You get “Shakin' Hands”, which is along the same lines as“Something in your mouth”, but talks about a stripper. This one (Can't believe I'm describing it this way) is a little more “country-ish”, a gets a little ruined by the distortion. Yet, Chad shows exceptional songwriting with the funny lyrics, especially the bridge. Finally, there is “S.E.X” which is pretty damn self explanatory. Chad Kroeger is smart too giving it that name, cause I really wanted to know what “S.E.X” stood for to them. I especially love the second verse, when it gets really dirty “I'm lovin what you wanna wear, wonder what's up under there, wonder if I'll ever have it under my tongue. I'd love to try to set you free, I'll have you all over me, love to hear the sound you make the second you're done”. This is a REALLY hard one to pull off, but these guys are pretty damn fun.
From there, you get the idea that Chad is so horny, he'd make Ron Jeremy jealous. When they aren't producing their own porn, they have a deeper side as well with all their power balladsd. “Never Gonna Be Alone” is definitely one of my favorites. It's emotional, and about those moments we all wanna be in, and a great “Ending credits” song. This song reaches to me, probably because of the bridge (Best part of this song): “Every single day may be our only one, what if tomorrow never comes”. Also, you get their famous hit, “Gotta Be Somebody”, “I'd Come For You”, and definitely “Just to get high”. Chad really reaches to the people when talking about drugs, and how it effects everyone.
All together, to me, this is band worth listening to. They're entertaining, and are bringing back some good rock, which people have been whining about to bring back. People trash them a lot when they don't realize this is pretty much what they want. Even in other reviews, I don't know why they're hated so much. I especially love Chad Kroeger, who completes the whole sound. Without him, they are totally different. Nickelback is very smart when it comes to knowing their audience, and they hit things right every time. In one review, the critic asked “Who really likes Nickelback?”. Obviously, a lot of people do if they hit it this far. Think about that next time.
