It would be easy to poke fun at Nickleback. Their videos are undeniably cheesy and with the band’s large female following there are those out there who simply can’t take them seriously. But with the last two albums selling five and six million respectively there is clearly mass appeal here. The fact is Nickleback sell out stadium shows and entertain millions. And really, is that such a big crime? 

Well to more serious minded folk maybe it is. Certainly I’m no big fan of this band. But her indoors loves ‘em. And whilst I won’t be waving a cellphone around in some megadome stadium to a Nickleback ballad, probably ever in this lifetime, you’ve simply got to respect huge album sales like that. ‘All The Right Reasons’ is the band’s fourth album and to my ‘king lears’ it’s their best. 

The group recorded it at singer Chad Kroeger’s studio in Vancouver and I suspect the attention to detail that this environment afforded is why this album is superior to previous releases. All manner of sounds and guest artists appear on the record including ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons – on opening track ‘Follow You Home’. A belting rocker that proves that this band can write grinding, earthy rock songs when they want to.  

‘Fight For All The Wrong Reasons’ is next, quickly followed by single ‘Photograph’ and already it’s plain that this album is going to sell by the bloody truckload. ‘Animals’ has some suitably dodgy Kroeger lyrics and if there is a fault with this CD it is Chad’s ‘caveman’ wordsmithery (if there is such a word). This boy is one horny mutha. But the laydeez seem to like it, so who cares? 

So yes stuff like the potential mega hit ‘Far Away’ and the heavy ‘Side Of A Bullet’ mix things up nicely and the band even have a go at humour on ‘Rockstar’. Yeah. You read that right…humour! However it’s about as funny as acupuncture to this cynical Brits ears but these Canadians do have a weird sense of humour after all. But it does at least show that Nickleback don’t take themselves too seriously these days. And really I think the relaxed vibe of recording this album in Kroeger’s studio reflects all that.  

Summing up I would say that Nickleback have finally sussed out who their audience is and have produced an album that will delight commercial stadium rockers around the globe. Reviewing this CD on the car stereo – as I am wont to do – I hardly had the thing off in almost a week – and I’m not even that keen on the band. Which gives you some idea of the amount of units this baby is going to sell.

Surprisingly enjoyable stuff.

Let us know your views on 'All The Right Reasons'

Track List

Follow You Home
Fight For All The Wrong Reasons
Photograph
Animals
Savin’ Me
Far Away
Next Contestant
Side Of A Bullet
If Everyone Cared
Someone That You’re With
Rockstar

Line Up

Chad Kroeger – Vocals, Guitar
Ryan Peake – Guitar, Vocals
Mike Kroeger – Bass
Daniel Adair - Drums