The Canadian band Nickelback tries their hand at back to back complete albums. There has been a lot of talk that they can only produce 2 or 3 strong tracks per album and also the question “who really likes Nickelback?” well with All the Right Reason it seemed like they answered the critics that they can’t produce a complete album. With a half dozen quality singles including “Animals,” “Photographs,” and “Rockstar” the band finally was going down the right path. The newest addition to the line of Nickelback albums, The Dark Horse, tries to follow the upward trend, or maybe the new leaf that they turned over with All the Right Reason. The new album begins with the streaming of “Something In Your Mouth.” The intensity of Nickelback begins from the very first set of notes as they try and continue where All the Right Reasons left off. A track that falls into the “adult” theme has some great guitar play throughout the track and a super fast lyrical chorus. the track is a catchy one, but I’m not sold on the lyrics although the sound suggests that it will be added into their live set. With the stripper theme working in track one; let’s see what the rest of the album. “Burn it to the Ground” shoots out of the gates with guitar firepower. The alcohol is flying all over the place during this three and a half minute track that offers an insane guitar solo and a cool evil laugh. A lot of the track features distant vocals, but in some places they come front and center. “Gotta Be Somebody” is the Dark Horse’s version of “Photograph” with is soft passionate sound that will make the women melt where they stand. It’s one of those tracks that you can close your eyes and hold that special someone. This may very well be the best hit off the album. “I’d Come For You” give listeners back to back soft and sensual songs that the women will love while “Next Go Around” strikes with another sex track shouting “I wanna it ‘til the sun comes up” to start the track. it does offer some sweet music through the entire track as it twists the catchiness of it with a lyric set isn’t the best. the guitar play is stellar including an effect that is catching on quite a lot in turn the guitar off and back on a few times. The middle track “Just to Get High” offers up another great guitar solo that very well could be one of the best of the year if not for the last few years and its one of the better track lyrically. “Never Gonna Be Alone” sounds like something from a Christian rock band would produce which isn’t a bad thing with the amount of sex sprinkled throughout the rest of the album. Nah, kidding aside it is a very beautifully conducted track that will melt the hearts of many. “Shakin’ Hands” gets back to the sex-a-thon which is The Dark Horse. With lines like: “She didn’t make it this far my just shakin’ hands” and “fuck to pretty to be given it cheap” its obvious that they weren’t holding anything back as they try to reach as many fans as possible. Its music is not bad at all with some really good guitar work and steady drum play. Track 9 “S.E.X.” is apparent on what its subject matter is. The song is a very catchy track with hard drums and sweet guitar play 2 ½ minutes into it. the lyrics aren’t the greatest as it repeats a good bit. “If Today Was Your Last Day” slows the sex train for another famous Nickelback ballad. It is one of the best on the album with is great message that they are shouting out. Not only a great sound and message it has some pretty clear vocals. they decide to end the album with a drunken and getting high adventure with “This Afternoon.” They talk about sitting around getting high and getting drunk with a bunch friends. It has a very nice sound to it musically, but the lyrical content again is just stupid. Overall this is a step back for the band. Of course they are going to the sell the album to all of their fans that have all the other ones, but it’s not as good as the others. It took them a very long time to make a complete album in my opinion and they finally did with All the Right Reasons. I absolutely love “Animals,” but the album can’t be solely about those types of things. Musically The Dark Horse is well done with many great riffs and super solos mix with steady drums. Lyrically it’s were the album goes wrong. There is only so many times that you can talk about a stripper and how much she teases or getting drunk and high all day and not giving a shit about anything. The bright spots of the album is lead single “Gotta Be Somebody” and “If Today Was Your Last Day.” Those two are the best of the best on the album. They are solid rock tracks that are mature and everyone can listen to. The rest of the album sounds like something a teenage boy would envision doing. Musically it’s still an “A,” but lyrical it’s not very good.

Rating: 7 out of 10

Favorite tracks:

Gotta Be Somebody, If Today Was Your Last Day.”

Track List:

1. Something In Your Mouth
2. Burn it to the Ground
3. Gotta Be Somebody
4. I’d Come For You
5. Next Go Around
6. Just to Get High
7. Never Gonna Be Alone
8. Shakin’ Hands
9. S.E.X.
10. If Today Was Your Last Day
11. This Afternoon

Website (s): www.nickelback.com, www.roadrunnerrecords.com