Every Nickelback album ranked: From worst to best

There’s little to fixate on here. Nine years on from its release, you just don’t get the urge to revisit it. “She Keeps Me Up” is something a bit different, featuring vocals from Ali Tamposi, as its funky dance-rock shines through  —  reminiscent of the licks and grooves of Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante. It also went viral last year as part of a TikTok trend. “The Hammer’s Coming Down” and “What Are You Waiting For?” are boring and basic, despite feeling promising on first listen. Too much pop, not enough Nickelback.

Clearly heavily influenced by the grunge geniuses of Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and Soundgarden, Nickelback were still very much finding their feet at this stage and had yet to discover their destined fame and fortune. Song after song, the same turned-up metal distortion attacks the ears, but “Little Friend” and “Just Four,” which was re-released on Silver Side Up, can excuse that to an extent. Chad Kroeger just loves showing off his vocal range on this one, with his savage, bullet-belt delivery on the choruses.

Record No. 9 could be seen as a correction from the one before  —  only a small one, though. The soft-heavy mix between “Song on Fire” and “Feed the Machine” is what we’ve all become accustomed to in recent years, with the listener having no idea what subgenre they’re about to hear when they click “shuffle.” “The Betrayal (Act III)” is a certified metal masterpiece, starting off with a more Southern country intro before its menacing kick drum feeds in, although the less said about “Must Be Nice,” the better.

Here and Now debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, with the top spot going to Michael Buble’s Christmas album. “When We Stand Together” was given the most radio play and feels apt now more than ever following the rough few years the world has faced with the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the ongoing war in Ukraine. “Lullaby,” an emotionally well-thought-out song, clearly about suicide, has been a fan favorite since the start of the last decade. How can Ryan Peake playing those notes on the piano not bring a tear to your eye? Their last record with Roadrunner Records  was a bit of a letdown in truth, especially in comparison to its predecessor, with tracks “Bottoms Up” and “Kiss It Goodbye” bordering on complacency.

Refreshed after a five-year break since the last record, Nickelback returned with their best work in almost 15 years. Trying to visibly satisfy both sides of their fanbase, it starts heavier with opener “San Quentin,” representing the chaos and fun the band are recognized for. “Burn It to the Ground” is even mentioned in the lyrics  —  never mind the similar guitar shredding solo before the bridge enters, bringing a “Enter Sandman” feel with it. “Those Days,” a sequel to their 2005 mega-hit “Photograph,” makes you question how the band had so much nostalgia when they brought out their original classic. But with the use of Daniel Adair’s father’s drum kit in the video, it’s more than appreciated.

“Someday” was and will always be the main hit from this record  —  who cares if it’s a rip-off “How You Remind Me”? People wanted more of that, and Nickelback simply gave them it. That’s not to forget some other catchy tunes, though. Despite regularly being played live by the band, “Figured You Out” has been criticized for having a misogynistic undertone, with lyrics such as “I like your pants around your feet” and “I love my hands around your neck.” It was tone-deaf then and jarring now. “Feelin’ Way Too Damn Good” has the perfect mood for a breakup, especially when the electric guitar overdrive kicks in during the chorus.

Anybody who remembers this era will be instantly reminded of WWE Raw and the “Burn It to the Ground” opening riff. Since then, it has become an anthem for pretty much any live sporting event. The band members have previously stated their shock at the popularity of “Gotta Be Somebody” and the power it holds to this day, hinting that it will feature in their North America tour this summer. But there is a sense of learning a lesson, with a moral value within their lyricism (at least sometimes). Take “If Today Was Your Last Day” as an example, which demonstrates a pure message: “Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind.” Dark Horse is indeed true to its name.

There are always those albums that don’t get the recognition they deserve. The State was one of them. A transitional period for what came later on, with then-new drummer Ryan Vikedal taking the place of Mitch Guindon. It’s a shame that most of these songs have been ignored in recent years, although Nickelback simply aren’t the same band they were 25 years ago  —  not that that should be expected of them. “Breathe” and “Leader of Men” should both be guaranteed for the setlist going forward.

This was the real breakthrough for the band. “How You Remind Me” was one of the most played songs on U.S. radio in the noughties, and it currently has over 500 million views on YouTube. It gained Nickelback a whole wave of popularity. It’s the band’s “Back In Black,” their “Everlong,” their “Sweet Child O’ Mine” — that is the level we are talking about. The rest of the record doesn’t disappoint, either, as “Woke Up This Morning” and “Too Bad” triumph, emphasizing Nickelback’s high credentials. Everything was on a bigger scale from here onward.

This is Nickelback’s best-selling album to date. Endless classics such as “Photograph,” “Far Away,” and “Savin’ Me” skyrocketed the band to unimaginable heights, but it also came with internet trolling and piss-taking due to the apparent generic, radio-friendly template. The music video for “Rockstar,” featuring ZZ Top guitarist/vocalist Billy Gibbons and many other celebrities, is understandably beloved worldwide to this day. Thankfully, people are now starting to see this album for what it really is, rather than laughing endlessly at the supposed banality of “Look at this photograph,” which even the band have embraced over the years.