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pylon · 01-22-2010, 07:59 PM

Walll of text on its way....

For the record, I think Nickelback sucks. But not for the same reasons most people do. It is "cool" to hate Nickelback, and that is why a good majority of people do.

I think they suck because their music sucks on a technical level. Anyone with a decent amount of musical aptitude who took a few years of guitar lessons or drum lessons could reasonably replicate the sound (save the vocals that is a little more unique) and put together a tribute band. As a reasonably bad guitarist I can lay out some pretty believable Nickelback riffs that sound great with the right amount of effects.

To me the judge of a great band is the challenge of the music, the complexity, the layering of sound. There are some equally popular bands that are awesome. RHCP, The Rolling Stones, Metallica, and in my honest opinion, the Band Of The Century...... Iron Maiden who are immensely popular globally, not as much in North America.

I have been trying to master the bass lines from Maidens Phantom of the Opera and Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner for ten freakin years, yet I can look at some Nickelback tab, and figure out the Riffs in 10 minutes on the guitar which isn't even my primary instrument. Don't even start on Rush and what Geddy Lee can do with a bass guitar. Most 80's metal and prog rock bands had true virtuoso musicians in them. They weren't pretty, and filled with 'angst' but man could they shred. The music was about the sound. The guitar solo is truly a lost art in modern rock (there still are some pretty decent metal guitarists) because music moved away from music and over to image.

I got my 20 year old nephew, who is attending the Manhattan school of music and is what you would consider highly educated in all things music (grade 10 conservatory piano grad, and winner of pretty much every Kiwanis category he every entered for vocals) hooked on Maiden because he loved the 'complexity' of the music. He said had he grew up in the 70 and 80's he wouldn't be pursuing an operatic career, he would be trying to front the next Samson, or Diamond Head.

Anyways, it is highly subjective. If you have never picked up a guitar.... sure, AC/DC, Nickleback, and Green Day might sound great, and there is nothing wrong with that. If it gets your toes tapping, fill your boots. Heck I love KISS, and they are as easy cheesy meat and potatoes as it gets..... its more about the spectacle with them. However, if you appreciate music from the playing side of it... you likely would agree, that Nickleback sucks.

01-22-2010, 07:59 PM	#162
pylon Lifetime Suspension Join Date: Jul 2007 Exp:	Walll of text on its way.... For the record, I think Nickelback sucks. But not for the same reasons most people do. It is "cool" to hate Nickelback, and that is why a good majority of people do. I think they suck because their music sucks on a technical level. Anyone with a decent amount of musical aptitude who took a few years of guitar lessons or drum lessons could reasonably replicate the sound (save the vocals that is a little more unique) and put together a tribute band. As a reasonably bad guitarist I can lay out some pretty believable Nickelback riffs that sound great with the right amount of effects. To me the judge of a great band is the challenge of the music, the complexity, the layering of sound. There are some equally popular bands that are awesome. RHCP, The Rolling Stones, Metallica, and in my honest opinion, the Band Of The Century...... Iron Maiden who are immensely popular globally, not as much in North America. I have been trying to master the bass lines from Maidens Phantom of the Opera and Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner for ten freakin years, yet I can look at some Nickelback tab, and figure out the Riffs in 10 minutes on the guitar which isn't even my primary instrument. Don't even start on Rush and what Geddy Lee can do with a bass guitar. Most 80's metal and prog rock bands had true virtuoso musicians in them. They weren't pretty, and filled with 'angst' but man could they shred. The music was about the sound. The guitar solo is truly a lost art in modern rock (there still are some pretty decent metal guitarists) because music moved away from music and over to image. I got my 20 year old nephew, who is attending the Manhattan school of music and is what you would consider highly educated in all things music (grade 10 conservatory piano grad, and winner of pretty much every Kiwanis category he every entered for vocals) hooked on Maiden because he loved the 'complexity' of the music. He said had he grew up in the 70 and 80's he wouldn't be pursuing an operatic career, he would be trying to front the next Samson, or Diamond Head. Anyways, it is highly subjective. If you have never picked up a guitar.... sure, AC/DC, Nickleback, and Green Day might sound great, and there is nothing wrong with that. If it gets your toes tapping, fill your boots. Heck I love KISS, and they are as easy cheesy meat and potatoes as it gets..... its more about the spectacle with them. However, if you appreciate music from the playing side of it... you likely would agree, that Nickleback sucks.