Here’s a fun fact. I once put a Nickleback disc in the radio of my friend’s car without him knowing. When we got in the car next and it played and the lyrics “I’m through with standing in line…” played, he ejected the disc and threw it out the window. And you know what, fair. People don’t like Nickelback.

But why exactly is that? It honestly seems as though it’s gotten to the point where not liking Nickelback is simply a meme that everyone goes along with. I’ve stated in other articles that I myself view Rockstar as a Vancouver-based gem that belongs in the hall of fame. Play it at a party and tell me drunk mid-twenties post secondary kids aren’t going to sing along. I dare you. If they don’t, you’re either lying, or were born after the year 2000 and I don’t like you.

Now Nickelback does indeed have some absolute gems under their wings, believe it or not, How you Remind Me was the most played song on U.S. radio between 2000 and 2009. Yes you read that correctly. Give it a listen even!

(Youtube/ Roadrunner Records)

It’s stats like these that may have proven to be the band’s own downfall though. Chad Krueger reads that stat and says to his mates “guys we gotta make that song again, just different”. Meanwhile us fans are out here thinking “no actually make something new we don’t want the same song sung a different way”.

Which is exactly their problem! Their biggest complaint is that they have a great song, and several mediocre songs mimicking the great song, on every single album. It does get tiring. And on top of this, what genre are they exactly? Are they metal, are they rock, are they indie? I just don’t know because every damn album changes. 

The complaints about this band are warranted for sure, but I’ll reiterate one thing. If you discredit the gems they have produced, Rockstar, If today was your last day, How you Remind me, I just want you to know you’re wrong. 

But also, you’re kind of right.