Rough Edge: Nickelback CD Reviews

NICKELBACK

"Here and Now" (Roadrunner; 2011)

Nickelback is back with their seventh disc, entitled "Here and Now," and it's got a tough sound. Nickelback has always forged ahead with a great guitar sound and lyrics that sound like they are personal stories; this disc is meant to stay in the same groove. It's been three years since "Dark Horse" so I know that Nickelback fans were stoked when a new disc was announced.

With a riff-centered approach to music, Nickelback has always had the party song ready to cue up and "Bottoms Up" fills that request. These guys have also grown socially and have penned some great songs to shine a light on issues such as homelessness. "When We Stand Together" is about people helping people.

They also pen those songs that are raunchy and become many listeners' guilty pleasures; you can always count on a Nickelback song that pushes the limit of tongue in cheek sex. The guitar is crunchy on a lot of the songs and there are some great solos too, they also mix in some guitar sounds to give their songs more layers.

As tough as Nickelback can get they still have a soft side and create songs such as "Lullaby" and "Trying Not to Love You" to bring in the casual listener. These songs don't seem out of place at all because Nickelback has been ushering in the ballad over their last few albums. The album starts strong and starts to fade towards the end; overall this is a great disc from Nickelback.

Nickelback: Chad Kroeger – lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitar; Ryan Peake – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals; Mike Kroeger – bass; Daniel Adair – drums, backing vocals.

For more info head over to http://www.nickelback.com.

"All the Right Reasons" (Roadrunner; 2005)

Reviewed by Jeff Rogers

After listening to Chad Kroeger’s side projects (Theory Of A Deadman, Default) and reviewing them, I thought I would head to the source of them all.

As stated before by R. Scott and Snidermann, the lyrics on Nickelback's “Silver Side Up” are a bit depressing. The lyrics here, however, border on psyche profiles and memory seekers. I don’t know the premise behind these songs so I can’t tell if they are true stories or just melodic poems. Either way they rock and should lift your depression if you focus on the music rather than their therapy sessions. “Photograph” is a story about going back to your youth and all the things you did ... but can’t do now. It’s a nice portrait painted into a song.

"All the Right Reasons" is full of strong riffs and fast drumming. There are a few slow songs here that are make-out favorites too. Although there is a ton of muscle flexing guitar, the solos are scarce; in fact, only “Follow You Home” and “Side Of A Bullet” feature solos.

“Rockstar” sounds like a Kid Rock song with all the references to booze, drugs and chicks. It also lasts too long. Still, all in all, the music on “All The Right Reasons” is good driving music, hence the captured picture that graces their CD.

The best cuts are “Follow You Home,” “Photograph,” and “Animals.”

Nickelback: Chad Kroeger – vocals and guitars; Mike Kroeger – bass; Ryan Peake – guitar and vocals; Daniel Adair – drums and vocals.

For more information, check out www.nickelback.com.

"Silver Side Up" (Roadrunner; 2001)

Reviewed by Snidermann

Nickelback’s release, "Silver Side Up," is good, tight music, very easy to listen to. That's the good news. The bad news is that the songs, for the most part, have too slow a pace and the lyrics are more than a little depressing, dealing with subject matter better left to the evening news.

The hit here, "How You Remind Me," is getting a lot of MTV (the non-music television network) airplay and, frankly, that's the best cut on this release.

I suggest a little levity to lighten the heavy load that drags down Nickelback and to release some of the suicidal tendencies that haunted me while I listened to this CD.

Nickelback: Chad Kroeger - lead vocals and guitars; Ryan Peake - guitars and vocals; Mike Kroeger - bass; Ryan "Nik" Vikedal - drums.

For more information, check out http://www.nickelback.com.

"Silver Side Up" (Roadrunner; 2001)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

I won't disagree with Snidermann on one thing: Nickelback's lyrics are gritty, grim tales of tough times. However, unlike other bands who simply load up on the dark side of life to make themselves look dark, Nickelback really seem to be making a statement. They're not just loading up on the depressing phrases and images; they're telling stories that - sometimes - offer glimpses of redemption. It may not be pretty, but it's not overwhelmingly hopeless.

Musically, Nickelback offer great big chunks of guitar chords, irresistible choruses (both vocal and guitar riff-wise), and song-writing that gives each song its own identity but always sounds like Nickelback.

And I also have to disagree with Snidermann on "How You Remind Me." Although I do like that song, and although it is getting most of the attention at the moment, there are others songs that I like better. The first track, "Never Again," comes to mind, and I really like the winding, rolling rhythm of "Woke Up This Morning."

Nickelback have a fresh sound that stands apart simply because of its confident solidness. They're enjoying a great deal of success with this record and, I say, deservedly so!

Nickelback: Chad Kroeger - lead vocals and guitars; Ryan Peake - guitars and vocals; Mike Kroeger - bass; Ryan "Nik" Vikedal - drums.

For more information, check out http://www.nickelback.com.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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