What's wrong with Nickleback?

[Deelow]

Originally Posted by kermitology

It's a style of music that is un-original and takes away from other Canadian artists play-time in Canada.

For stations like CJAY, they get to fill their Canadian Content requirements with the same old songs from Nickleback, Default, The Hip, etc...

I just get frustrated by it because there is so much more Canadian music out there that is REALLY good and a lot of people just don't hear it.

The New Pornographers are a great example of the kind of thing that is slightly being recognized, but pushed under the carpet by Nickleback. For example, Nickleback is leading the Juno nominations, and bands like The New Pornographers, Broken Social Scene and Metric get to duke it out in the alternative category.

That's why I dislike them. But the big thing is that they're boring and repetetive.

Here's the problem though. The average CJAY listener (male, 30-35ish, maybe works in welding shop) would hear 10 seconds of New Pornopgraphers and say "What the **** is this garbage?"...and then put in his Back In Black tape. The audience needs to demand the good music and the average rock radio listener would rather hear Enter Sandman or Shout At The Devil than anything interesting. It's a problem that goes way beyond Nickelback. The good news is things are getting better. The national top 25 rock chart now features songs from Neverending White Lights, Gorillaz, City And Colour, Jack Johnson, Arctic Monkeys, New Pornographers and Mobile. That's fresh blood bands that don't have a history of Canadian success.. Nickelback, Default and Godsmack are all still there, I think everyone just needs to accept that some people love that music...at least some of these new artists are getting a hand up. Whether or not ultra-conservative CJAY is spinning anything interesting I don't know but these acts are getting radio play in Canada.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by kermitology

I'm not lumping them in musically...I'm lumping them into the "Canadian Content" that gets played on a lot of radio stations. I'm not a huge Hip fan, but they are good musicians and the music is good. But they are part of the standard Canadian content CD.

okay, i see what you're saying..they do have a tendency to keep playing the same several songs over and over on radio..glad I stopped listening to rock radio years ago

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by Igottago

Nickelback would still be bad if they were struggling. They are just generic, plain and simple. Its nothing personal. Yeah, I guess its good that Alberta boys made it big. But I don't listen to music based on where the musician is from, I listen to it based on quality, originality, creativity. Nickelback exhibit none of these qualities. But that's just my opinion.

Whether you like a band or not should be a personal choice. I'm not a huge fan of country music. Because I don't like that style of music doesn't automatically make Toby Keith "suck" or a bad band. Just not my cup of tea.

My comment about popularity was aimed at those people who dis a band for being popular. Inherent in those kinds of comments is that coolness is inversely related to popularity. While a band is struggling it's cool to like them. They're underground, they're unknown, they're hip. The more people like them, the more they approach the mainstream. Suddenly, it's not cool to like them anymore. They're tired, cliche, mundane, redundant.

The attitude of some of the people who make those kinds of comments just rub me the wrong way. They can come across condescending and snarky. I'm cool because I like stuff no one's heard of. You suck because you like whatever's being played on the radio right now.

The irony of the whole situation is that in order to keep this unknown music coming, you need to support those bands. Without buying their discs or going to their shows they probably won't be able to afford to keep going. If they get too much support then they run the risk of making it big and becoming popular. If they become too popular then people who only like the unknowns have to jump ship. It's self-defeating.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by the crispy badger

I feel Rush is actually underrated..Geddy may sound like a banshee but they write insightful and intelligent songs and have longevity..something Nickleback will never have

and their musicianship is unparalleled. Saying Rush is 'too commercial' is about the most laughable musical criticism I have ever heard.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by fredr123

My comment about popularity was aimed at those people who dis a band for being popular. Inherent in those kinds of comments is that coolness is inversely related to popularity. While a band is struggling it's cool to like them. They're underground, they're unknown, they're hip. The more people like them, the more they approach the mainstream. Suddenly, it's not cool to like them anymore. They're tired, cliche, mundane, redundant.

The attitude of some of the people who make those kinds of comments just rub me the wrong way. They can come across condescending and snarky. I'm cool because I like stuff no one's heard of. You suck because you like whatever's being played on the radio right now.

The irony of the whole situation is that in order to keep this unknown music coming, you need to support those bands. Without buying their discs or going to their shows they probably won't be able to afford to keep going. If they get too much support then they run the risk of making it big and becoming popular. If they become too popular then people who only like the unknowns have to jump ship. It's self-defeating.

Yeah, I actually totally agree with you. Popular does not automatically mean bad. And sometimes, it seems indie bands get way too much credit simply because they are indie, not really based on the music. I listen to quite a bit of indie/college type stuff, but I also listen to bands who've had huge mainstream appeal. To me, a good band is a good band. And we need the good stadim rockers as much as we need those who play intimate venues. Seems like a lot of people are more concerned about fitting into a particular clique when it comes to choosing the music they listen to, rather than naturally listening to what they like. The indie types can be as close minded as top 40 types. I can't be bothered, its all pretty rediculous.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Nickelback isn't anywhere close to my favorite band. However, I do enjoy listening to them from time to time. I find Kroeger's lyrics to be very much about growing up in a small town, which is something I can relate to. He has a consistancy in his writing musically that I can understand generates the Def Leppard comparison. However, Def Leppard's sound (in the pop years) can also be compared to Shania Twain's...very similar, and it's all about Mutt Lange with those two. I think Kroeger is just comfortable with that formula for his music. Might keep them from being great, but it doesn't mean they don't have some great songs.

For the record, Def Leppard's first 4 albums were superb. They were, once, one of the greatest rock bands.

I agree with those that find the attitude of some anti-nickelbackers annoying. I agree. There is nothing wrong with liking Nickelback and say The White Stripes too. Oh wait, I suppose Jack White is too commercial now that he's played on radio.

BTW....anyone pay much attention to the Loretty Lynn/Jack White performance of Portland, Oregon? Masterpiece.

[mennoknight]

"and what the hell is on Joey's head???"

That pretty much sums up why I hate their music. Also, Chad Kroeger is like a science experiment in rock stars.

"What would happen if we took this backwoods idiot, and allow him to buy as much beer and sleep with as many skanks as possible?? LET'S FIND OUT!"

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by mennoknight

"and what the hell is on Joey's head???"

That pretty much sums up why I hate their music. Also, Chad Kroeger is like a science experiment in rock stars.

"What would happen if we took this backwoods idiot, and allow him to buy as much beer and sleep with as many skanks as possible?? LET'S FIND OUT!"

He's looking at an old picture. Is it that far fetched to think that there might be something funny on Joey's head?

Pretty weak.

Why is he a backwoods idiot? Because he's from Hanna? He can't be that much of an idiot he's made a pile of money and I'd venture a guess that it's more than you'll see with whatever superior line of work you're in.

Thanks for illustrating the point of several posters in this thread pefectly.

[Deelow]

BTW it should also be pointed out that Chad and his record label 604 have helped many bands that sound nothing like Nickelback achieve relative success. I've met musicians on that label and for the most part they have nothing but good things to say about Chad.

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by Deelow

BTW it should also be pointed out that Chad and his record label 604 have helped many bands that sound nothing like Nickelback achieve relative success. I've met musicians on that label and for the most part they have nothing but good things to say about Chad.

Tommy Lee! Actually, I met that guy once through my work and he was suprisingly polite and lowkey despite the crap I put him through.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by Deelow

BTW it should also be pointed out that Chad and his record label 604 have helped many bands that sound nothing like Nickelback achieve relative success. I've met musicians on that label and for the most part they have nothing but good things to say about Chad.

Who else on the label doesn't sound like them? I'm not trying to be a jerk, I serioulsy don't know. Aren't Default and Theory of a deadman on that label? Cause they pretty much sound just like Nickelback.

[Lanny_MacDonald]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

Nickelback isn't anywhere close to my favorite band. However, I do enjoy listening to them from time to time. I find Kroeger's lyrics to be very much about growing up in a small town, which is something I can relate to. He has a consistancy in his writing musically that I can understand generates the Def Leppard comparison. However, Def Leppard's sound (in the pop years) can also be compared to Shania Twain's...very similar, and it's all about Mutt Lange with those two. I think Kroeger is just comfortable with that formula for his music. Might keep them from being great, but it doesn't mean they don't have some great songs.

For the record, Def Leppard's first 4 albums were superb. They were, once, one of the greatest rock bands.

I agree with those that find the attitude of some anti-nickelbackers annoying. I agree. There is nothing wrong with liking Nickelback and say The White Stripes too. Oh wait, I suppose Jack White is too commercial now that he's played on radio.

BTW....anyone pay much attention to the Loretty Lynn/Jack White performance of Portland, Oregon? Masterpiece.

Thanks Dis, finally someone who isn't afraid to call it like it is. This subject has really been eating at me for a while and I wanted to broach the subject and attept to discuss it rationally. By the looks of it, its going to be pretty difficult. Answering some of the comments...

It's repetitive, its un-original... no ****, so is rock music in general. Jesus, The Beatles wrote most of their songs using the same three chords. Rock and roll is based on a 12 bar blues progression, which is all about three chords. Rock music is all about borrowing something from someone else and using it in your ****ty song. That's the game, nothing wrong with it. As someone else pointed out, look no further than AC/DC for repitiion.

The lyrics suck... uh, and just how many rock songs are going to win awards for their brilliance? What is too funny is that someone slammed Rush for their "crap" music. Rush has written some of the most complex songs in rock music, and their lyrics tackle major social issues. But to understand them you have to read the damn jacket liner! Who wants to do that??? I will give Nickleback some credit for their writing as well, they touch on some social issues as well (Never Again is a brilliant social commentary on spousal abuse). Yeah, most of their music is not going to win a Pulitzer, but they do touch something in people and makes a connection. And yeah, "and what the hell is on Joey's head???" is not the epitomy of great writing, but when you are looking at your yearbook 25 years after your graduation you'll say the exact same thing.

They play everything in drop d tuning... big deal. A lot of bands and a lot of songs use this tuning. What's the big deal? That you can't play it without retuning your guitar? Yeah, that's a reason to hate a song.

They aren't good musicians... compared to who? I didn't realize that rock music was about virtuosity? Its not like the great players have any more of a career than the crap ones. Jesus, the White Stripes are two of the worst musicians I have ever seen, and they are critically acclaimed.

Here's the thing about music that I personally think people miss, especially those that consider themselves musicians. Music is to be enjoyed and is used to bring people together. How many times do you go to a party and play some music before someone makes a request? They don't request some obscure band. They also don't want to hear your self-indulgent take on the rock scene. They want to hear something familiar. As much as some hate to admit it, there is something great about being able to play the same dozen structures on your guitar and hammer out 100 songs that people enjoy the hell out of. Sure, you may not be recognized as a great player, but you will be remembered as the guy who made the party fun. So while playing the obscure stuff that makes you feel unique and special about yourself, it is playing this same old tired "formula" rock that endears you to the masses. Frankly, I rather enjoy the look on people's faces when they recognize a song you're playing,and sing along with you, a lot more than when I'm playing an obscure song that has people talking over your playing.

I'm not a Nickleback fan by any stretch of the imagination, but I do recognize something we should be proud of. A band from small town Alberta has made it big, and is one of the bigger acts in music today. That is soemthing we should applaud, not tear down. Man, if people had this **** attitude I wonder if the Guess Who would have become the icon they did? I still proudly point out to people when I hear a Canadian band on the airwaves down here. I am more proud when it is a Calgary or Alberta band. Music is something that should bring us together IMO, and I personally think it does when approached the right way. IMO Nickleback is something to be proud of, just like The Stampeders, Joni Mitchell, Qwest, Ted Alexander, Zuckerbaby, etc. It may be repetitive, but if you just take it as music, its fun as hell.

BTW Dis, any word on the MCII release date???

[Displaced Flames fan]

April 4th my friend, April 4th.

I'm American flat out rocks and points right at where the tone of the record is headed. I literally can't wait to get my hands on the CD.

May brings me new CD's from Tool (10,000 days) Live (Songs From Black Mountain) two of my favorite bands. The first song off the live CD is so-so, but I'll buy it because they always have gems that never make it to radio on every CD. Then of course, Alice In Chains is touring this summer and will likely be making a new record sometime soon. May 5th on VH1 classic you can catch them performing on a Heart VH1 concert special. Pretty great stuff from what I hear...of course, I like Heart too. Ann Wilson sings on one of the AIC tunes. Good times!

[Deelow]

Originally Posted by Igottago

Who else on the label doesn't sound like them? I'm not trying to be a jerk, I serioulsy don't know. Aren't Default and Theory of a deadman on that label? Cause they pretty much sound just like Nickelback.

Default is not on 604. Yes Theory is a bad example.
Armchair Cynics very good victoria band. Their song coalmine is one of the most unique singles I've heard this year.

Marianas Trench- another west coast band. Great vocals. Sort of a Foo Fighters sound.

Tin Foil Phoenix- They just do their own thing.

Give these bands a listen. Nickelback they are not.

[Igottago]

So Lanny, it seems like you're saying that regardless of our musical taste, we should be proud of Nickelback because they're from Alberta. I don't see any logic in that whatsoever. They are a group of guys that happened to live in Alberta. They are hardly a representation of the province and every individual in it. Unlike a sports team, like the Calgary Flames, which are an entity that is part of a community, and people can find common ground in. Like I said earlier, I never listen to a band based on where they're from, I listen based on how good I think they are. And I don't think Nickelback warrants any of my pride. They haven't done anything to deserve my pride.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

personally I have no problem with Nickleback, I have friends that say "but they only have one song" to which I reply "but I like the song!"

As for Canadian content laws, I wrote a paper in my undergrad stating there should be MORE limitations, as in you can't keep using the same song over and over and over again. You could use Amanda Marshall once every 4 hours to fulfill your Canadian content. Now if the people demanded Amanada Marshall once an hour, hey that's fine, but only 1 of the times it's played in a four hour span would count towards your content requirement. This would allow more Canadian bands to break into the radio stream instead of having the same bands circulated. Would also go towards helping a band like Nickleback who's overexposed still keep their fanbase and have it grow leaving people wanting to hear thier songs more. Restrict supply quantity demanded of the song should go up right?

[RedMan12]

I just don't like that sissy alternative rock and they just seem goofy! Arn't they from Edmonton too?

[RedHot25]

Originally Posted by RedMan12

I just don't like that sissy alternative rock and they just seem goofy! Arn't they from Edmonton too?

Hanna

[nwj]

It's because they're the definition of bad radio music. That generic crap that's cookie-cut with the same cutters that they use on all the radio hits! Their songs are to music what lame movies like "American Pie 2", "American Wedding" and "American Pie: Band Camp" are to the movie industry, nothing but cash-grabs by riding something else that was successful, just nothing but lazy money-making. And in no way do I respect that, music is an art.

[Flash Walken]

hmm..

damn, the filter is ****ing up the url

www.theweb$hite.net/nickelback.htm

*$ is an s