Review Summary: More of the same from Nickelback, you either like them or you don't
So another 3 years has passed which means it's time for a new Nickelback album, 2005 saw 'All The Right Reasons', onto 2008 which was 'Dark Horse' and onto the now with 'Here & Now'.
Needless to say, just like the other albums I mentioned, this album follows pretty much the same approach to the rest. you have you typical heavy openers like the past releases ('Follow You Home', 'Something In Your Mouth'), this years rocky opener is 'This Means War'. Which is proceeded by the self proclaimed drinking anthem 'Bottoms Up', an album highlight.
After this it's time for the trademark mellower lead single, 'When We Stand Together' - this song sounds like 'Someday', 'Photograph' & 'Gotta Be Somebody', from previous releases and it follows pretty much the same formula.
The album goes on like this, tongue in cheek lyrics ('Gotta Get Me Some','Everything I Wanna Do'), ballads ('Lullaby','Trying Not To Love You','Holding On To Heaven') and catchy rock riffs ('Kiss It Goodbye','Midnight Queen'),
Everything you would expect from a Nickelback release really. The album follows the same direction as 'Dark Horse' in this respect. as once again i will refer to the tongue in cheek lyrics, ballads and cathy riffs that are also that are the main themes of that album. See The following tracks on 'Dark Horse' for examples of what I mean. ('Shakin' Hands','S.E.X') for the tongue in cheek lyrics, 'Never Gonna Be Alone','I'd Come for You') for the ballads & 'Next Go Round'','Burn It To The Ground' for the catchy riffs.).
There is nothing presented on this album that will wow anyone, and there is certainly nothing on here that will win over any new fans or change peoples opinion of them.
Nickelback have once again gone for what I like to call the AC/DC approach which is 'If it ain't broke don't fix it' formula.
Although Nickelback have critics (lots of them) and haters they are still remarkably popular and manage to play big venues, so expect more of the same when they tour to support this release. Don't bother with this if Nickelback's sound generally annoys or offends you.
I've never been fully convinced by Nickelbacks approach to ballads, however The one thing that I personally think Nickelback can do well is write a good rock song, in this case they have managed to do this with;
'Bottom's Up',
'Midnight Queen'
Guess I'll be seeing you guys in 2014 then for the next release!.
