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The Long Road
09/10/2003 4:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
Ken Micallef
A band of average Joes who understand the value of simple emotions and tempter tantrums, Nickelback don't smile much. Their music wouldn't allow it. Built on wimp-flattening drums and steroid-injected guitars that march in lockstep, Nickelback's radio-ready anthems are designed for maximum impact and minimum intellect. Almost every song on The Long Road features a mammoth chug-chug-chug guitar climax, pleading vocal ("How the hell did we wind up like this?") and super catchy chorus, testament to Nickelback's seriousness and hard work. You don't have to love them, but you can't deny their in-your-face melodicism, the way Chad Kroger belts out every tune like a choked up 15-year-old, and the band's seamless instrumental crunch. The Long Road is Pro Tooled hard rock for after-school aggression; testosterone release for childhood fantasies of domination and desertion; music for sleepover nights with your buds when you really want to leave home for good. But you know you can't 'cause your underwear is dirty and your stomach hurts. If you're really mad, check out metal-disco blazer "Because Of You" and imagine that you are a warrior with weapons of revenge and violence in your heart. Get mad. Get even. At least until dinner.
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