ALBUM REVIEW: Get Rollin’ – Nickelback
It has been over a quarter of a century since NICKELBACK burst from the confines of Alberta, Canada and time has seen them become one of the most successful rock bands on the planet. Regardless of which side of the fence your opinion falls on in terms of their music (and lord knows they are the frequent butt of many jokes) the fact cannot be ignored that the only foreign artist who has sold more records in the US is THE BEATLES. Their latest offering Get Rollin’ sees them reach the ten-album milestone, and does so in the classic rock ‘n’ roll style upon which they’ve built their cast-iron foundations.
For many, the pandemic was an opportunity to delve deeper into the creative mindset than would normally be afforded, and for NICKELBACK it was no different. In the band’s own words, they were finally able to write an album because they wanted to rather than because they had to. Without the feeling of being backed into a corner, they emerged from isolation with a record that feels like a return to roots, centred on rock and the kind of tracks that are as nostalgic as they are feel-good. They will never be the kind of band that intends to progress music into pastures new; instead they focus their efforts on writing solid, memorable rock songs.
San Quentin opens the album, roaring into life with a heavy, tone-laden guitar riff that carries through into a track that remains in a high gear for its whole duration. Skinny Little Missy continues in the same vein, hurtling along a highway with the top down and wind rushing through its hair. It’s back-to-basics NICKELBACK, and it sounds great. However following that, Those Days feels more ballad-esque, and High Times adds a hint of Americana to the mix. Vegas Bomb offers another chance to bang your head before the album dips back into a more mellow offering. This has often been the way with NICKELBACK, opting to provide something for everyone rather than settling into any particular rhythm, and this time around it’s a refined balance.
Tidal Wave feels like an album highlight, a powerful ballad that showcases Chad Kroeger‘s potent vocal range. He retains just enough coarseness to allow emotion to seep from his every word. By the time the album closes with Just One More it is clear that this is one of the best albums the band have written in several years. As already mentioned it doesn’t rewrite the rules, it’s a safe play by a group that has been around the block enough times to know exactly what sells. They’ve injected enough personality to make this a worthwhile listen, and assure the world that no matter what, they have no intentions of taking their foot off the gas any time soon.
Rating: 7/10
Get Rollin’ is set for release on November 18th via BMG.
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May I ask why you are writing this and wasting your time on this? Because it gets to the point where you make a fool of yourself on sites like albumoftheyear. And you continue to write paid reviews as if nothing had happened, putting marks from eight to ten, without even thinking about the consequences. After all, by promoting mediocre musicians, you litter and prevent quality artists from getting their share of long-awaited recognition.