Ever since the release of "Silver Side Up" Nickelback has been a well oiled hit machine. The band peaked artistically on "The Long Road" and after that all their ideas has been recycled.
 
"Dark Horse" sounds immediate like Chad Kroeger has put the auto pilot on. The last album "All the Right Reason" had a long run with Rock Star as the latest single. This album has also potential for a long run. You immediately spot the obvious singles to be Gotta Be somebody, I'D Come for You and If Today was your Last Day. Those 3 will most likely earn Nickelback radio airplay and hit singles along with the sickening ballad Never Gonna Be Alone.
 
Mutt Lange has provided the band with a big sound. On Shakin Hands Mutt Lange even sneak in his trademark big drums and Def Leppard choir.
 
It seems like Chad Kroeger wants to get away from the teenage band image, since the lyrics are more daring and mostly deals with sex. Kroeger wants to give the illusion of him being a real bad boy.
 
Just to Get High is the album highlight, which also has a shining moment for the guitar solo. The music for S.E.X. proves that Nickelback still have something to offer, but compared to their previous records "Dark Horse" pales and while this is a good album I would rather spin "The Long Home". I question how much longer the band will be around, since they seem to have run out of ideas. It is not bad - We have just heard it all before.

Written by Michael
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
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Ratings

Michael: 6/10

Members: 6.5/10 - Average of 1 ratings.



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AllAmericanBoy Rating: 6.5/10 Dark Horse is a really good album! It took me a few listens to think that however. The fir... · Read more ·

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Comment by ThraX (Member) - Friday, December 12, 2008

View Profile Comments: 135 Ratings: 0 This band drives me insane. I truly cannot stand this band and it's sad because they band is extremely talented, Drummer Daniel Adair is one of the most technical and talented drummers around, You should check out his work with Dave Martone. The thing about Nickelback that drives me insane is their knack for writing radio friendly material and their lyrics are extremely bad. Sorry but I have to give this album a 4/10 Posted by ThraX Friday, December 12, 2008

Comment by Alanna (Staff) - Friday, December 12, 2008

View Profile Comments: 245 I liked "Rockstar" from the previous album because it was so *big* and *cheesy* yet got radio play so that means I could sing it loud and proud and people wouldn't stare (too much) or would join in. So it had THAT going for it. This new one..... not so sure about. The vocals/lyrics grate on my nerves usually and it just seems they are stagnant in what amounts to rock kindergarten level of writing. Which sucks. Posted by Alanna (Staff) Friday, December 12, 2008

Review by AllAmericanBoy (Member) - Saturday, February 7, 2009

View Profile Comments: Ratings: 3 Dark Horse is a really good album! It took me a few listens to think that however. The first track "Something in your mouth" is great from beginning to end, heavy and sleazy, you can't go wrong. Track 2 "Burn it to the ground" probably has one of the heaviest endings I have heard in a while. #3 "Gotta be Somebody" was an obvious choice for the first single, it's typical but good. The 4th track "I'd come for you" is just too obvious and gets skipped frequently, the lyric about a soldier turned me off as it seemed like a cheap thing to do. 5 "Next go round" is pure sex it's that simple, descent song but again typical. Number 6 "Just to get high" is a great song, as the title suggests it's about drug use, clever lyrics at times, a favorite. 7th track "Never gonna be alone" is almost guaranteed to be a single, but for me it seems like an easy money maker. You can hear where this song is going from the first note. Typical Nickleback. #8 "Shakin Hands" has a great feel and great lyrics. Good story although not the prettiest story. "She's makin six figures working three days a week." - enough said. The 9th track S.E.X. is about ... you guessed it ... Sex! Nice beat and really good bass line. Track 10 "If Today was your last day" took me a couple times to really like it. Good idea, good lyrics, almost certain to be a hit. 11 "This Afternoon" is a fun song, about getting high, drunk, and hanging with your friends. Although I like it, it sounds like they are trying to repeat the song "Rock Star" what I mean by that is I can see it being there last single on the album. Bottom line is this: This is Nickelback, no denying it.The sound for the most part is the same as previous songs. You won't be asking who it is. But it is a good listen all the way through. Rating: 6.5/10 Posted by AllAmericanBoy Saturday, February 7, 2009