Canada’s melodic post-grunge party-starters Nickelback have been responsible for some of the heaviest pop hits of this decade (”Rockstar”, “How You Remind Me”) and, more notably, single-handedly preserving the tradition of the arena-rock butane ballad. They are produced by Mutt Lange (AC/DC, Shania Twain) on “Dark Horse”, he nudges from the band a tougher sound more suited to their inner sexist pig. But in what qualifies as a sort of progress, the disc’s brooding slow burners are its least obnoxious. “Just To Get High” is aimed at a friend who becomes a drug addict. And the album’s best number, “Never Gonna Be Alone”, asks for a second chance. Could it be that Nickelback have seen the error of their ways? Don’t answer that.

by Mark Emge