Fans Vs. the Critics - Nickelback
Tuesday January 16, 2007
If any band today inspires a great gulf between the opinions of pop music critics and pop music fans, it's Nickelback. A few choice words from some of today's top critics:
- "Nickelback is a hard rock band that could be a practical joke" - Kelefa Sanneh, New York Times
- "Nickelback remain unchanged; they're still unspeakably awful." - Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
- "All the Right Reasons is so depressing, you're almost glad Kurt's not around to hear it." - Christian Hoard and Peter Relic, Rolling Stone
- "Every song they've ever been involved in is so obvious and unchallenging that the parallels between every lyric here and every angst-stained rhyming couplet scribbled in your grade ten English notebook are repulsively eerie." - Filmore Mescalito Holmes, Tiny Mix Tapes
- "Feel sorry for people who like Matchbox 20 and Nickelback, because you know a part of them has died." - Jonah Bayer, Alternative Press
Evidence of fan disagreement:
- The album All the Right Reasons has sold approximately 5 million copies in the United States
- All the Right Reasons is the oldest album in the top 20 of the Billboard album chart after 66 weeks (a year and 3 months) on the chart
- All the Right Reasons has generated 3 top 20 hit singles
- Nickelback sold out 69 of 80 shows in 2006 placing the group among the top 20 tours of the year
So...who is on target? Are Nickelback as awful as the critics claim...or are the critics missing something important? Let us know your comments.
Photo © Roadrunner Records
Comments
Nickelback is a popular hit among kids as well as teenagers and even to ocational adult, they’re album All The Right Reasons had what i found the best variety of music that they have ever come up with, i expecially liked they’re song Far Away. I for one am a Huge fan of Nickelback, Who knows, maybe in 10 or 20 years they will have sold enough albums to be up there with bands like AC/DC, KISS, LED ZEPPLIN, and many others. I can personally see Nickelback getting the awards and the fame they deserve
I am a Chinese fans.I do like the band. The time have turn back ten years while I listenning Photogragh. It’s so familiar.
A person begins to wonder why the critics seem to have singled Nickelback out. I don’t see where their lyrics are anymore depressing than so many other rock bands that are popular today. Maybe the critics don’t like them because they are so popular with the pop music audience. If you listen to the lyrics of most of their popular songs you might find while the songs are a bit depressing, they also offer a message of hope. Their song “Photograph” is a fun song.
Come on, compared to Staind, Nirvana, Bush or 30 Seconds to Mars (to name a few)Nickelback come across like Barry Manilow.
Critics… well they are just idiots….people with low self asteem.. its amazing..there are kobs for everyone hey… rather put others down b4 they get put down… idiots !! But hey thats just my opinion. And for the record i think Nickelback is allright.
Simply put, those critics are jealous. The statistics speak for themselves – Nickelback are one of the biggest rock bands today. And they sure didn’t get that way because of these critics. They got there because people love hearing their music. They aren’t uptight, politically-driven morons who put their opinions against America out there but are more than willing to suck off the American economy. They are down-to-earth, hard-working artists who earn every cent they have in their bank accounts. And even in spite of the fact that they’ve won countless awards and honors for their efforts, you still don’t see them in scandals or love triangles publicized by paparazzi-dominated magazines and rags. They say under the radar and out of the Hollywood scene. That is why the critics lash out: Nickelback have done everything right. Made great music, accumulated a huge fanbase, made millions of dollars, sold millions of albums, but have kept their private lives private. Who wouldn’t be jealous?
I think that a critic not liking NB is’nt the problem,its the way they are so harsh and vulger aginst the band.
I mean i may hate U2’s music but i respect there achievements.Critics don’t respect NBs achievements.And i for one am grateful to see that Bill Lamb is the only reviewer to have fair reviews,that are from a fans point of view and a personal view.
Like Chad Kroeger said once about critics ”music critics have opinions just like everybody else”
Critics have nothing better to do then bash decent people period. They the critics are so full of theirselves, we should critic them, but again we already are doing that.
Critics SUCK, Find a differant job like cleaning toilets.
I personally don’t care what the critics think about Nickelback. I am a huge fan of the band and nothing anyone else thinks will change my mind.
I have to agree with T.C. on this one, they give fantastic concerts in the United States and aren’t putting their political views out there for everyone to have to gag down as well, like many artists out there. They are talented, and successful, that alone irks a lot of critics, fans and other bands.
Well, Nickelback has enough true fans out there to keep them going, and let’s face it, Nickelback is getting the final word on this one…good for them. Hope they keep us rockin’ for years to come. And honestly, how many of these critics names will you remember in the future??? Not many, if any. However, Nickelback is a name a person will be hearing about for years to come!!!
Personally, I love Nickelback. Many of their songs are in my list of favorites, because of the way they place their lyrics. The critics may say that they’re predictable and that they don’t change, but if doing what they do inspires teen and adult fans to support them, why should they do antything different? They are who they are, and you either like them or you don’t, but I choose to listen to and enjoy their music.
I don’t care what the so called “critics” think. They have obviously never felt what the songs are describing. So they can blow it out their hole. I connect with NB and totally support whatever they do.
Critics… Guys it`s time to give up trying to stink all over the world with the words “Nickelback sucks”. Open your eyes! There are millions of their fans!!!
“Nickelback remain unchanged; they’re still unspeakably awful.” – oh yeah!
And dinosaurs are still alive
What do ou think when somebody says
“critics are stupid prats” ?
You think “they just don`t understand
thw whole thing!”
So do we bout you who trys to write these mere words.
I don’t listen to what the critics say at all. Let them bash whoever they want, but they will never influence my opinions. I love Nickelback’s music, and that won’t change because of something someone says. I have my own mind. In my opinion, NB rocks!! Just give them a chance!! You will fall in love with their music too!!
uhm ..the critics should die.
matchbox20 and nickelback are obviously still LOVED, and why not?!
pft. whatever…
Critics are just jealous little stains on the earth. Like Chad Kroeger said, critics only like underground bands because their not that successful, and if they ever became widely known, the critics would abandom them and start bashing them like they do to Nickelback and countless other great (And extremely successful) bands. Well I say forget the critics, Nickelback rocks and nothing they say will ever change my mind. Readers, dont listen to critics when they say they suck, go out and buy an album anyway, then you will see they are awesome.
Who really listens to the critics? Music is such a personal choice and I personally love the song Photograph because it reminds me of my goofy friends from high school and our antics.
Nickelback in my opinion are one of the best bands out there and have been for a long time. But the critics are just stupid. I’m saying this because I know they may have alot of new music that sounds very similar to there old music but that dosn’t make there songs bad. Normally bands and artist do have alot of similar songs to the ones in the past because thats the kind of music they play and that’s what they got famous playing so they’re going to stick to it. The only thing that is really that important is how well the songs are and how well people connect to them, and if they were bad Nickelback wouldn’t be a major, sucessful band right now. If a songs good a songs good and you can’t change that with a few words.
This type of thing is the EXACT reason I NEVER listen to critics. What is it with critics hating Nickelback so much! Is it a critic’s prerequisite to crap all over Nickelback! The statistics speak for themselves – read up on them!
I love Nickelback and I’m proud to shout out that I’m a fan!
Ithink Nickleback rocks! Period!!
I LOVE Nickelback. they have so much talent &* I’ve loved [practically] every song they have made. my all- time favorite is definitely ‘How You Remind Me’ I love that song soo much.
The idea of 20 comments and so many derisive statements made against the occupation of critic is amazing. I study sciences so don’t come close to the music industry, however there is no need to diminish one person or occupation in order to state you are a fan of Nickelback.
I think that they are very sincere in their musical efforts and lyrics that they write from experience and visions of what they would like to see in the world. That does NOT mean I like their music and would purchase any of their music.
They are good musicians, they play their instruments well, they have excellent fan interaction while in concert (as reported by my friend who went to their two concerts here in town) and they were fun, but, I have to agree that I find their songs all have the same sounding MUSIC while they lyrics are different and memory provoking, like “Photograph.”
HI THERE… I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I BELIEVE THAT THE CRITICS ARE FAR TO HARSH. TO BE A MAIN STREAM BAND YOU NEED TO WORK YOUR BUT OFF, AND I BELIEVE THAT NICKELBACK HAS DONE THAT AND CONTINUES TO DO THAT! AS WELL AS STATING THAT ANYONE WHO LIKES NICKELBACK AND MATCKBOX 20, THEY ARE MY TWO FAVOURITE BANDS AND THE SO CALLED CRITICS NEED TO SIT BACK AND LET THE FANS ENJOY THE MUSIC!!!! KEEP ON GOING GUYS!!! ALSO EVEN THOUGH MATCHBOX 20 HAS BROKEN UP, I LOVE ROB THOMAS AND EVERYTHING HE HAS ACCOMPLISHED SOLO! I WANT MORE!!!
Critics act like they have all these deep and complicated tastes, they dont have the balls to say they like NB.
Critics are just sad people who aren’t talented enough to sing or play an instrument. They show their jealousy by going after bands who don’t deserve the harsh words. It’s the fans who spend their hard earned money on cd’s, concert tickets, travel arrangements, merchandise & so on. It’s the fans that care and remember important details about their idols. I doubt any of those critics listed in the article could tell you a damn thing about one of the guys from Nickelback. Ask one of us fans & we can tell you. Just another little note to critics – who won the People’s Choice Award for favorite band? Oh yeah that’s right – NICKELBACK!
i like NICKELBACK! they are fresh and i enjoy their music. the critics must have gum stuck in their ears. they would not know a good thing if it bit them!
First of all Nickelback are awesome musicians, they know where its at!
second (to the critics:) Nickelback are talented and famous….critics are not! hence they need to compensate somehow
The most embarrassing people, when talking about music, is the music critics….more specifically those who trash NICKELBACK. They almost stumble on one another to come up with the most derogatory clichés about that successful rock band, which is probably the most hated band among this “couldn’t-make-it-as-a-musician-so-I-just-trash-them-instead-“breed….and the most loved band by millions of people around the world.
You should think that NICKELBACK would be embraced by music critics. A band which come from a small town, nobody had ever heard of; with a start in life which didn’t leave them many chances for success and then prove everybody wrong and make it big time, winning so many prices over the past years that it would fill the rest of the page to mention them all. But no! They are hated….by the music critics! Why is that? Is it because they don’t make scandals getting caught with a needle in their arm? Is it because they don’t smash hotel rooms….or reporters? Is it because they’re not spotted with a hooker now and then? Or is it because they’re down to earth guys with families they love, who show rock music lovers all over the globe, that you can actually be a rock star without doing the above?
Maybe it’s because the music critics are confused. They’re not used to see a successful rock band which doesn’t act like their stereotype of rock stars. But instead of admitting their frustrations, they blame it on NICKELBACK! C’mon, we all know that all the shit that’s been written about this band is just the music critic’s lame attempts to hide their own narrow minded perception of the rock star phenomena.
The critics constantly give themselves away, showing us that they don’t really know anything about NICKELBACK, that they don’t understand the band or its music. Like one fan in here said “The critics may say that they’re predictable and that they don’t change”. This for one thing proves that music critics have a very bad ear for music. NICKELBACK has actually changed remarkably over the years (from Curb to All The Right Reasons), but luckily without loosing their sound. You can still hear it’s NICKELBACK….as you can hear the characteristic Rolling Stones sound throughout all their albums. And second….predictable? If you listen to Animals or Side Of A Bullet from All The Right Reasons and then to Far Away, you tell me….could you’ve predicted that song coming up? And the same goes for their albums. You can hear that it’s NICKELBACK but each album have a little different sound than the one before, but guess you have to actually listen to the songs to hear it. Something millions of people around the world have done….except the music critics!
How come Nickelback have won so may prices if they’re no good? I wish some of the music critics could answer that question!
And they also think that the guys from NB have no talent. I doubt they have seen their solos from some of the concerts. They can shred like crazy, man. and Daniels drum solos are insane. Just tells you they only listen to their records and dont see anything else Nickelback does, even though their records are awesome anway. Its simple, the fans will always win, the Critics are just a bunch of pansies.
p.s. I hope critics are reading this because you know what, critics? YOU GUYS SUCK!
I personally am a BIG fan f Nickelback I have all their albums and I don’t think their all that bad. I know alot of my friends at my high school alos like the band. Their also Canadian which ROCKS! Why are the critics so had on them?
I agree that Nickelback is a very successful band, but I can see where the critics are coming from. There lyrics aren’t anything special and sometimes don’t make sense, and alot of the songs really don’t stand out as really good rock songs. I do respect Nickelback as musicians but they are not anything special and there are plenty of other rock bands that deserve the popularity more than Nickelback.
Um, I’m sorry alex, but your wrong there. No one deserves the popularity more than Nickelback. And they are better than you put it.
I’d rather have Nickelback with all the popularity than some other band who does all the drugs and has all the scandals on the front page of the newspapers. Nickelback is not one of those type of bands, which is why they deserve the popularity they have and no other band.
yes they are good about not doing drugs…but one you really don’t know, and two there are tons of rock bands that deserve the popularity more than them… for example Spoons, The Muse, and even Wolfmother. I am not saying that Nickelback is the worst rockband out there cause they are not but they are not that great, they are just ok.
Whatever you say, thats your opinion. But I could care less abouts bands that cant even think of a better name than “Spoons.” Honestly, a band called Spoons can just go and fall off the edge of the world for all I care. Nickelback deserves the credit they get way more than those bands.
you think nickelback is a better name?!
Yeah, I do. Nickelback may not be the best name, but its sure as heck better than “Spoons.” Give me a break. Just go home and listen to your Spoons collection. bye.
I have just listened to few songs from Nickelback so far and must say I was not exactely impressed by music at the beginning, but on the other side I also must say there is something about them. About Kurt! He has charisma and good heart, despite a bit of self-centered character. But he will grow with time. He is with both his feet on the ground. Sometimes their music can sound as for the teens, but definitely it does not belong between rubbish. There is something in their music which makes me listen and watch theirs videos again again.
To me their lyrics make a lot of sence. Which song – lyrics you do not understand for example? martina,
timberbox@gmail.com
The only ones you might not be able to understand are the songs from The State, they were pretty cryptic back then. But if you cant understand the lyrics from Silver Side up to All The Right Reasons, your stupid. Sorry, but you are.
At last, look at these comments, critics!!! How many are negative and how many are positive? Maybe it is not NB who should change their point of view, maybe it is the critics who should start do things more honisty! (or maybe disappear!, but we cannot be so lucky…
Anyway, after all I do know about Nickelback and Kurt even I live in South Africa, but I dont know any of thouse critics by name, do you?
I just started listening to NB in September. The first song I enjoyed was Far Away. I have since started listening to all their CD’s. If you start with The State or Curb and graduate up to All the Right Reasons, you will definitely hear a difference. Their lyrics are very understandable. I am going on 40 this year and have undergone several changes in my life – thus is true for all the members of NB. Their sound is much clearer now because I think they understand life better.
Some of my favorite songs on their earlier CD’s are:
Just For, Leader of Men, Cowboy Hat.
To conclude, my suggestion to the critics is listen to all of NB’s music and make an overall judgement.
I read the previous comments… Not all of them but 20 for sure. And more than one said that critics are just jealous and angry because they don’t have anything bad (scandals etc) about Nickelback to know. Where does this stereotype of a rocker come anyway? Real rock musicians (old school) are very peaceful and family-loving (FAITHFUL! to their wives). So to all the critics: I think you have figured the subject out a bit wrong if you really hate NB just because they stay away from scandals… Or is this fuss caused about hte fact that they are from Canada (not the USA)?
Critics are just…critics. Nobody like them. They just take out all their bitterness on bands that made it to success, since they never did.
When critics cut down a band I get more curious about that band. What the critics really have done is generate more interest in NB and have made them more popular. For every negative comment published about NB there will be another 100 or so fans!
Wow, I never thought of it that way, your right.
Stupid critics. Thank you, your making them more popular you idiots!!! hahaha thank you critics. Losers.
Critics are ppl with opinions just like everyone else. The sad thing is some times someone will read more into their words than necessary (thinking Karen Carpentar for example–her bout with anorexia started after a critic said she was chubby, ending in her death due to complications).
As far as Nickelback, they are an awesome band with a very unique sound. I list them already among the Classic bands, they are gonna be around for years to come, our children’s children’s children will be rocking out to them. They might have been rough around the edges but with All The Right Reasons they have honed their skills and shown just how diverse a band they really are.
Thanks for providing this forum. I’ve read so much hateful, small-minded, childish blog/review of Nickelback that I sometimes wonder what I’m missing that all these so called rock fans and music journalists aren’t. But then, I’ve been a devoted Mellencamp fan for two and a half decades so I should have expected it. In the days when John was so horribly reviewed by people who hadn’t a clue there was no such thing as internet blogs. Thank God! John continued to do his own thing (”just wanna make it real…good, bad or indifferent……I do things my way and I pay a high price”)and what do you know? The record-buying fans loved it, (and still do) and now the so-called critics wouldn’t dare trash the undeniable LEGEND that is John Mellencamp! My advice to Nickelback (whom I’m sure don’t give a damn for the critics opinion either) is to do what Mellencamp did; ignore the philistines, do your own wonderful thing, keep making yourselves disgustingly rich as your fans defend your honour with ticket and cd sales (and are only too pleased to part with the money!) and PLEASE come back and tour Australia again soon! VIVA LA ROCK…and screw the wanna-be critics!
Hey, me again! Just wanted to respond to contribution no 27 above – you are proof that us Nickelback fans are indeed intelligent, cultured human beings who’ve not only thought about it, but have also actually listened to the music! Thank you for taking the time to write it all down how I see it! Good luck to you and your family!
The thing to remember about critics is this: they don’t know Jack! Look at ‘Star Wars’; every single movie in the series was trashed by the critics, but loved by the fans, except maybe ‘Phantom Menace’(Death to Jar-Jar!!). I never listen to critical reviews, I check it out for myself and make my own judgement.
The people who like Nickelback are the same people who like American Idol; people with IQs below 90.
1) Critics are NOT some very important persons, everyone could do what they do (sit and tell off the bands they PERSONALLY don’t like)
2) Do they think Nickelback or any other bands do care of what they say??
3) A band like Nickelback don’t even need to be “protected” against the critics because their music speaks
4) I don’t understand (and i never will): why is it good to the critics if they tell things like these about an artist, a band, a musician? I don’t get it. Okay, they don’t like something what more than the half of the world do like. And??? Why can’t they stay on their *sses and mind their things? Make something better if they can!
5) I think Nickelback is a great band and i can just say congratulations to the guys!
1) Critics are NOT some very important persons, everyone could do what they do (sit and tell off the bands they PERSONALLY don’t like)
I’m not sure if you can do that. Most critics use things like punctuation and grammar,
2) Do they think Nickelback or any other bands do care of what they say??
Yes, they do. They’re egomaniacs. But the real reason people write reviews is for consumers like you, who obviously cares a great deal about it.
3) A band like Nickelback don’t even need to be “protected” against the critics because their music speaks
I’m not sure what this means. Their music follows; critics speak.
4) I don’t understand (and i never will): why is it good to the critics if they tell things like these about an artist, a band, a musician? I don’t get it. Okay, they don’t like something what more than the half of the world do like. And??? Why can’t they stay on their *sses and mind their things? Make something better if they can!
Well, they sure can’t make anything worse.
5) I think Nickelback is a great band and i can just say congratulations to the guys!
So why is it fine for random ignorants to blindly praise these talentless hacks but it’s shameful for people who write and listen to music for a living to honestly inform ignorants that the music they listen to is in fact derivative garbage pieced together from a million actually talented people who came before them? It’s a two-way street.
All this proves is that people love being sheep and even the most well-researched, well written criticism of their flavour of the week is doomed to fall on deaf ears. Ignorance is bliss.
Amen, Alan Ranta. Amen.
Critics know what they are talking about. They aren’t ignorant, uninformed people who have only been exposed to Top 40 and the simpe-minded music that most radio stations offer. Anyone who has experienced the grandiloquence of a Hendrix solo, the haunting eerieness of a Thom Torke written ballad, the soaring guitar riffs of the Smashing Pumpkins, the quiet emotion of a Cat Power piano ballad, has absolutley no base and no reason to judge that Nickelback is a great rock band.
As a guitarist, I can say that the chords Nickelback uses are asinine, constantly using heavy distortion while alternating between a C, G D, and Am chord. On top of this basic, boring, guitar play are the watered-down vocals of Chad Kroeger. I think that his entire songwriting consists of thinking of what word will rhyme and finish the next line. And I don’t care what anyone says, the half-grunted vocals he presents in their songs are not only untalented, they’re borderline offensive in their poorly offered quality.
I guess selling a few million records may say something for the band, but it also says much more about the musical taste and intelligence of our nation. It’s sad that crap like this can have such a dramatic effect on people.
Go out and buy “Animals” by Pink Floyd or something. Enjoy some real music, people. Just because it’s popular doesn’t mean you have to be fed the same horseshit that everyone else likes just because it’s accepted. Listen to better music, and see this shitty band for who they really are.
“Look at this photograph, every time I do it makes me laugh.”
What a joke….
ALL modern music is derivative! There hasn’t been an artist for decades who’s come up with anything truly ground breaking. Some are believed to have, but these are mainly art house crap that no-one really listens to, but just pretend to in order to look intelligent amongst their “educated” arty-wanker mates! A bit like the author of the last comment, I suspect! Geez, even the Stones and the Beatles stole shamelessly from Blues, Country, and “world” music genres!!! Give Nickelback a break! At least they don’t pretend to be the cleverest little thing since sliced bread, unlike some of the tossers who write about them “for a living”!
I’d rather chow down on a live mains cable than chew on this middle of the road, big hair cock and roll, cardboard.
I like Nickelback , so I’ll keep listening to their music. And for the others who aren’t fans, well I don’t give a tiny rat’s ass… every body is entitled to their own opinion… just don’t force them on anyone else.
I believe that recently the critic’s have been slipping up in almost every area if you look. They gave poor reviews to “Kid Nation”, my favorite show last year, and poor reviews of “Nickelback”, my all time favorite band. Bottom line is, I am definitely a hard core Nickelback fan, from there softer music like “If everyone cared and “Far away” to.. well, anything they have,m I listen to on the regular bases. That’s my comment.
Everyone needs to stop blaming the critics for their horrible taste in music. Nickelback is the most grating, simplistic, contrived band i’ve ever heard in my life.
SOOOO what the heck are these critics thinking at least nickelback aren’t like other rockstars doing the drugs and getting scandals. yeah once at least but what was it like 3 years ago how many more times have you heard nickelback having any trouble with the media like todays rockstars. and getting younger and younger everyday
Nickelback is a terrible band. Their song structures and songwriting skills are so elementary that it amazes me. It’s actually difficult to discern between their songs because they’ve been rewriting the same one over and over.
I think the fans on this board have also revealed themselves as complete idiots because they are all writing at a first grade level. This connects to musical taste because if someone cares so little about the English language they probably care very little about the kind of media they choose to cling to.
If it’s on the radio and is simple enough to be considered “catchy” by people who don’t know any better, it’ll gain a large fan following. This is the formula to Nickelback’s success.
Nickelback are awful musicians.
MarkT is right about you guys. I can’t believe how bad your spelling and grammar is, considering this comment box has spell check. Now if only there was a grammar check, you would all be set to make Nickelback fans sound more intelligent. Simple people like simple music!
From a musicians point, critics mostly have good taste. They don’t measure how great a band by the millions they make but the quality of the art or music. I’d compare it to French fries, its low quality high in fat and cheap. But restaurants who makes them sells millions and make millions in revenue.
As a critic, I have to say that I find this comment board hilarious for several reasons. The first is that few people here can even put together a proper sentence. Learn how to write before you embarrass yourself online!
Second, if people don’t like your favorite band, who cares? Critics provide critique because some people like to read opinions about music and movies. If you don’t agree, that’s fine, I’m sure you would hate quite a bit of the music I listen to.
Lastly, I like some popular music, but I can’t stand Nickelback. Their music is either crude and vulgar or bland and forgettable. They’ll make millions of dollars but that doesn’t mean it’s not awful noise.
Nickelback is easily one of the worst bands in the entire history of human civilization. Their music is bland, their lyrics are unbelievably stupid, and every song sounds the same. And as if that wasn’t enough, the whole band looks like greasy middle aged sex offenders who wish they could still date 16 years olds without being prosecuted.
Seriously, do any of you nickelback fans know what music is supposed to sound like? Why is their music so muffled and mediocre? Why does his voice sound like he hasn’t gone to the bathroom in years? Why do they stand with their legs 6 feet apart when they play? Do they truly believe they “rock hard”?
If anybody has an actual answer to those questions that doesn’t involve calling me gay or jealous, I’d love to read it. And then I’d love to laugh at it, because I already know that the secret to Nickelback’s success is the overwhelming stupidity of people who buy records.
Does anyone who actually works for money spend that money on nickelback albums? No. It would be better to spend it on crack, or give it to the nazi party, or just burn it for warmth.
Stop spending your welfare checks and mom’s allowance on shitty music; you’d be better off huffing glue… or maybe that’s the real reason why you guys think they sound good.
Ah, Nickleback. You either love them or you hate them. And I hate them. I’m ashamed to be in the same province as them. They suck.
Deal with it.
Wow, you could cut the stupidity-driven hatred with a knife in here. For the overwhelming majority posting on this board who have given an honest, well informed critque on this band, Props to you. For the last few posters on here who came in spewing pseudo-intellectual, hate-filled trash, just for the obvious sake of pissing everyone off, congrats to you as well, because your online trek to becoming an internet shit head is coming closer and closer to fruition.
I’ve been a musician for 15 years, and have seen the likes of Aerosmith, AC/DC, Pantera, and Dream Theatre live and in person. I saw Nickelback three nights ago, and I’m telling you right now, these guys are on par with the aformentioned Gods of Rock, in terms of performance. It was easily one of the greatest live shows I had ever seen in my life. I’m just not understanding all the aggressive negativity when it comes to these guys. You can bitch all day about how they’re “talentless hacks”, the “worst band in the history of human civilization”, “contrived” or any other laughable insinuations that I just read on here, and at the end of the day, it’s just simply not going to be true. Chad’s guitar playing/shredding was top notch, and their new drummer pounded out such a technicaly proficient solo that Thomas Lang and Neil Peart would gladly stand and applaud. They’re just simply good at what they do, they love their fans, they very much respect and give tribute to the greats that came before them, they’re actually NICE to people, and they just flat out blow the roof off any and every arena they play in. Anybody who tries to deny any of this has clearly never seen them in concert, most likely hasn’t heard any of their songs outside radio land, and are just pretentious ass-hats who have no greater desire in life than to hate anything and everyone who’s opinion may differ from their own. Maybe YOUR welfare checks should go to something useful…like some self help books. I hear Tony Robbins knows his stuff.
God this band is awful. All the critics are right. They make all the money in the world by tricking people in to thinking they can actually write music.
I believe the majority of you are fooled.Just because Nickleback is popular does not mean they’re a good band. They sing cheesy garbage that I can’t stand to listen to. It’s crud a 10th grader would scribble out in his notebook. Put it this way if I had to listen to nickleback all day,I’d go insane
It’s funny, people’s opinions.
I like Nickelback & have read critic’s comments well beyond this site & it’s obvious they’re not in touch with the fanbase.
Same sound? Actually, there isn’t many songs that sound the same. Now the Offspring sounds the same if you want to be critical.
I’ve seen Chad’s responses on youtube concerning critics–one of them from Green Day. I found it funny that a guy who can’t sing was making cracks about Chad’s voice. I mean it obviously bothers Chad. I would be a little peeved myself.
Metallica is a huge influence on Nickelback, and it truly shows in their rawness. I’ll quote Lars that is probably the best advice for them “The best shows got the worst reviews”. If that concept holds true, then Nickelback must be doing something right
In reading the comments, I noticed that a lot of fans are defending NB’s popularity and the fact that they like their music. I think most of the criticism is not at all about their popularity but of pure musicianship. Based on pure musicianship they are just adequate… not fantastic. They have a nice sound… but they play it safe… nothing new. I will not get technical, but I will end by saying, I have a degree in music and NB is not greatly admired in circles of musicians. No one has anything against them, but they have not gained the respect that many musicians have.
Nickelback are great. Those who write against them, I believe are one of the fools who listen to rap music,something which I still can’t classify as music. All My LOVE TO NICKELBACK, THE FOO FIGHTERS, AND NIRVANA. GRUNGE AND ROCK RULZ.
I think the spelling, grammatical, and punctuation errors in all these posts defending Nickelback speak for themselves. There’s a reason stupid cats are easily entertained by string, and there’s a reason why people who rape the english language every day have low expectations of their music. Nickelback found a formula of power chords and a gravelly voice, and then they hired a 14 year old goth kid to write their lyrics. I can’t blame them for not changing their music! You idiots keep asking for more and more of their audio sewage because you don’t know how to appreciate music. Listening to Nickelback’s music is like enjoying a coloring book when there’s high quality porno and free beer across the room. You’re missing out, and that doesn’t hurt me a bit.
Nickelback, creed, theory of a dead man, puddle of mudd, daughtry, david cook, etc. These are all examples of the same pseudo raspy voice, the same boring 4 guitar chords, the same leather pants and the same lyric book passed amongst them. The only difference being the haphazard arrangement of those ingredients.
creed rocks and don’t forget it! Ain’t no Criminal, ya know, Adam Lambert, don’t trash talk. You learn to relish creed.
Wow! I didn’t know there were this many people in the world that didn’t hate Nickelback! I’ll pray for you all!
PS Nickleback is to rock music what Alan Jackson is to country music!
Nickleback are neither particularly good or particular bad. They’re just bland, formulaic and derivative. What they do isn’t a crime against music, it’s just utterly undeserving of the success that they have achieved. I think that what, in particular, infuriates people is that it presents itself as somehow more than mere pop-rock, which is understandably irritating to those with a genuine passion for alternative rock, and is probably why so much of the criticsm they recieve has such a vicious edge to it. Nickleback are viewed not just as some forgettable pop nonsense, but as an assault on the very things that the critics hold dear about music, precisely because they present themselves as ambassadors of it.
Of course, Nickleback aren’t alone in this, by any means, nor where they the first- far from it! They’ve merely become iconic of this sort of thing in contemporary rock.
If you’re a Nickelback fan, and not a prepubescent 13 year old boy (an immature and easily amused one at that)… I don’t know man.