Nickelback - All the Right Reasons (Roadrunner)

On the heels of the release of their big hit single "Photograph," Canadian band Nickelback deliver a strong, commercial album that sticks close to straightforward rock. The relative absence of plodding post-grunge tendencies leaves the band noticeably lighter on their feet. It's a pleasant, if not challenging, listening experience.

• Photograph
• Fight For All the Wrong Reasons
• If Everyone Cared
• Rockstar

Nickelback's latest album All the Right Reasons comes charging fast out of the blocks with the solid rock of "Follow You Home" and "Fight For All the Wrong Reasons." The intensity only lets up with the appearance of their massive current hit song "Photograph." The lyrics may be fairly simple, but it's impossible to avoid getting caught up in the atmosphere of nostalgic reverie. Like a kid bullied on the playground one too many times, Nickelback come charging back at their numerous critics, and it sounds good.

This time around group leader Chad Kroeger lyrically focuses a bit less on the legacy left by a poor father and more on intimate sexual politics. This approach works better in some places than others. On "Fight For All the Wrong Reasons" a potent melody underlines his musings on a relationship that is only good in the bedroom. Elsewhere, on "Next Contestant," Kroeger's pounding of men that come on to his woman in the workplace sounds thuggish and, frankly, smarmy instead of valorous.

After some weak moments in the middle of All the Right Reasons (the band's much publicized tribute to Pantera and Damageplan guitarist Dimebag Darrell, "Side Of a Bullet," is disappointing), Nickelback decide to lighten up a bit on the final trio of songs. "If Everyone Cared" is a warm, fuzzy ode to making the world a better place. "Someone That You're With" is a light rocking view of romantic obsession, and on "Rockstar" the band actually show off a too often hidden sense of humor about life at the top of the rock music heap.

Despite the wishes of a legion of critics All the Right Reasons makes a strong argument for lending another ear to Nickelback. The band has clearly grown. They show confidence in their ability to rock, hint at a sense of humor, and again demonstrate their skill at cranking out catchy melodies. Once the deserved success of "Photograph" dies down, look for more hits to come from this album.