Nickelback - Dark Horse

So it goes that I'm not a big fan of the Nickelback, and some people think I'm a genius, and some others think I'm a poor, misguided soul. I was talking to the latter not long ago, and she was discussing how I should give 'Dark Horse' a shot. It appears this album came out three years ago to the day - talk about timing! The album is a shocking 3x platinum, but I shouldn't be so shocked, because they've always been a pretty solid selling band. I have no idea why, but their pop/rock hybrid has been a huge hit in terms of fans. But like Creed, no one admits to actually spending their money on the albums. The album is 11 tracks deep, and somehow 8 of the singles were released for radio. That's an astounding feat in and of itself. Getting through this whole album, that surprises me a little bit only because the sound of a lot of the tracks doesn't seem to be catchy enough to warrant radioplay. I know there was one big get for this album, the WWE uses 'Burn It To The Ground' as their lead intro song on their Monday Night Raw program. Millions of people still watch pro wrestling to this day, and that isn't going to hurt band exposure. I know 'Something In Your Mouth' really won over the sexist crowds all over the US too. What douchebag of a guy didn't say that line to every girl they met for a year or so? (by the way, prime example of why I hate Nickelback) In a single word, this album is terrible. It's this blend of pop/rock/mood - and it just doesn't work. Kroger's vocal is one nearly saving grace, as he can still rock the heck out of a ballad. But the lyrics are awful, the idea that you can cram this "heavy" sound down my throat and try to sing about nonsense, but make it seem like it has a message? Ugh. It isn't even good mindless music. It doesn't get my toe tapping or anything, it just makes me angry with how I listen to it, and I think - "what is this? Why would anyone make this music?" You've got no class and no taste? Those are your lyrics? Well done Nickelback, that's one thing we finally agree on.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Something in Your Mouth
2. Burn It to the Ground
3. Gotta Be Somebody
4. I'd Come for You
5. Next Go Round
6. Just To Get High
7. Never Gonna Be Alone
8. Shakin' Hands
9. S.E.X.
10. If Today Was Your Last Day
11. This Afternoon

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Burn It To The Ground
2. If Today Was Your Last Day
3. None

FINAL RATING:
1 out of 5 stars

Nickelback - The State

So upon getting into a discussion with a friend the other day, I've decided I simply don't care for Nickelback. Their first record dropped in 1996 and had zero impact on the music world. (and upon thinking about it, '96 was such a great time for music - so why would a who cares kind of band like Nickelback make a splash?) They didn't gain any sort of notoriety until this album came out in 2000. My thought was, golly - I should go back to their first record prior to when I thought they started making really stupid pop music. So this is where I am. I'm going back to the music that made them get noticed. My logic was people really must have liked this, since it put them on the map. I don't understand how anyone could enjoy their current music, since most of it is udder garbage. These fellas are Canadian and their records sell MONSTROUS numbers there, and even in the US they seem to always go platinum. All The Right Reasons being the highest selling, and truth be told, probably their only tolerable record. I don't know. Nothing about them is unique. Nothing about them is fun to listen to. Nothing about them makes me want to rush out and pick up an album. Just flat, boring, ridiculously lyricised nonsense. If you enjoy their music, please feel free to let me know why. I simply don't see it. Their current record is one of the worst I've ever heard, and it's not that much better than the rest of their discography. I could keep going, but I'll simply let you decide for yourselves.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Breathe
2. Cowboy Hat
3. Leader of Men
4. Old Enough
5. Worthy to Say
6. Diggin' This
7. Deep
8. One Last Run
9. Not Leavin' Yet
10. Hold Out Your Hand
11. Leader of Men (Acoustic)

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Leader Of Men
2. Breathe
3. Old Enough

FINAL RATING:
1.25 out of 5 stars