Sep 2001

Radiating with timeless melodies, strident guitar hooks, and cleverly addictive songwriting, Nickelback may draw comparisons to such contemporaries as Creed, Staind or Bush, but with their latest effort, the Vancouver quartet has truly established their own identity. 'Silver Side Up' is, musically speaking, equal parts melody, emotion and pure rock, kicking off with 'Never Again', an intense denunciation of domestic abuse and spanning the full musical spectrum - from the catchy rock ballad 'How You Remind Me' to the sludgy, alt-metal 'Hollywood' and beyond.

• Q (12/02, p.67) - Included in Q Magazine's "The 50 Best Albums of 2002."
  Q (11/01, p.125) - 3 out of 5 stars - "...What sets them apart from many of their contemporaries...is the genuine anger and strong hooks that light up their dark tales of domestic abuse, parental desertion and revenge..."

Third album from Canadian post-grunge band Nickelback and the follow up to their 2000 release 'State'. Power ballads and epic rock anthems such as their top ten single 'How You Remind Me' are heavily influenced by Seattle grunge and display similarities to bands such as Creed, Fuel and Staind.

Nickelback: Chad Kroeger, Ryan Peake (vocals, guitar); Mike Kroeger (bass); Ryan "Nik" Vikedal (drums).
Additional personnel: Ian Thornley (slide guitar).
Recorded at Greenhouse Studios, Burnaby, British Colombia, Canada.
"How You Remind Me" was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Record Of The Year.
Nickelback are arguably the preeminent bastard children of '90s hard rock. On the Canadian band's sophomore effort, the songs will surely appeal to heavy rockers who were introduced to Metallica as shorthaired rock heroes. Simple, crunchy chord progressions (that insinuate themselves quickly into one's memory) are matched by emotionally charged lyrics on SILVER SIDE UP.
"Never Again" is a chilling description of domestic abuse from the victim's point of view. The radio-bound track "How You Remind Me" puts a cynical new spin on typical motifs usually reserved for 80's pop-metal balladeers. "Money Bought" addresses sexual exploitation while "Just For" shows how the darker side of love can inspire vengeance. On the whole, SILVER SIDE UP is a promising follow-up to THE STATE, closing with the token acoustic-meets-electric track "Good Times Gone."

Though journalistic shorthand often finds Nickelback dubbed "the Canadian Creed", the band found success on its own terms right from the start with the 2000 debut album THE STATE. It may be true that the band's heavy guitars, pounding drums, and dramatic vocals are in line with the Creed approach, but like that band, Nickelback is equally indebted to the heavy metal and hard rock heroes of the '70s. As with many other 21st century heavy rockers, though, Nickelback fits catchy pop sensibilities into their sonic onslaught, ensuring as enthusiastic a reception from radio as they receive from their rabid fanbase.