Quote:
Originally Posted by fresnelly
Wow, that's pretty much every band that makes me reach for the radio dial like a knee-jerk.
Why dont' I like them? I guess it's the combination of romantic lyrics with processed hard-rock guitars. It just sounded forced to me. I get the same reaction when I hear most nashville pop-country.
With Nickleback specifically, for me it has a lot to do with the double-edged sword that is "CanCon".
Essentially, here in Canada broadcasters must devote a certain percentage of their programming to Canadian produced content. The idea is to promote and develop Canadian talent and arts under the tidal wave of American culture we're exposed to.
The plus is just what it promises: Artists like The New Pornographers or Arcade Fire and shows like Testees and Trailer Park Boys get a voice.
The negative is that when there is a bonafide mainstream hit by a Canadian act like Nickelback or Brian Adams or Tom Cochran, it's an all out heavy-rotation blitz as the broadcasters fall over themselves cashing in.
I actually like the song "Steal My Sunshine" by Len, but back when it came out, it was inescapable. Just like Nickelback.
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I don't like nickelback because they are forced; contrived. Their drumming is run of the mill, Chad's voice is grading, their melodies are repetitive, their guitar work is without character or distinction, they have no original thought or feeling within their lyrics, etc. I could go on.
What I hate about this style of music is that it's defense is "but they are blue collar; their lyrics are about looking at a photograph because that's what they do man!" But The Hold Steady rock a similar outlook but with a lot more grace and originality. They are drunken poets. Being an artist means creating art; I don't think their is a place in my mind for people who replicate it as an art form.