Why do most of you hate Nickelback?

[dadofandrew]

They write music that appeals to the masses

 

That's why they can a living at it. I'd surely much rather be popular and able to support myself doing it than the alternative.

[jazzytrav]

They write music that appeals to the masses

 

That's why they can a living at it. I'd surely much rather be popular and able to support myself doing it than the alternative.

Would the alternative be "writing good music"?

 

And let's be honest, they're not "making a living at it." They're making millions. It's quite possible to write and play music for the sake of music and make a living at it. From what I can tell, they write and play music for the sake of money and fame. There's a difference.

[logan82]

Track #7 off of Tool's Aenima CD. I would post the name of the song, but while the words are not swear words they are also not something I want my 10 year old son asking about quite yet. Pretty much how I feel about people who use the term "sellout." Unless you are not making money off of your music you are a sellout.

[danzig6767]

I think the music by Nickelback is boring as hell and they aren't talented musicians, but i see no reason to hate them personally. A fair number of singers or bands make music more for the sake of trying to make great music and a lot make music just in hopes of getting rich and nailing a boatload of women.

 

I can't fault any band or singer for making music more to get the second option, a bunch of cash and access to women begging to be your toy certainly has it's appeal. The history of music is full of Nickelback type of bands who are more than happy to cash in by making safe and cookie cutter music that many folks are more than fine with gobbling up. Beats working 9-5 in some cubicle for 30-35 grand a year.

 

Plus, the guys in Nickelback very well might know that they don't have it in them to create music beyond the bland crap they put out, so for them it makes sense to keep recreating the same sounds that radio stations love to pump out and thus keep cashing big checks. If they actually tried deviating and making some good music, they'd likely fail at it anyways so their better off to keep putting out the stuff that gets them Top 40 airplay and adds zeros to their bank accounts. Not all bands are skilled enough to make music that's both really good and can also sell.

[PKBadger]

Track #7 off of Tool's Aenima CD. I would post the name of the song, but while the words are not swear words they are also not something I want my 10 year old son asking about quite yet. Pretty much how I feel about people who use the term "sellout." Unless you are not making money off of your music you are a sellout.

 

It's funny that you chose to rail against the word "sellout", because I think this is the best description of our problem with Nickelback:

from Reel Big Fish

 

Well, I know you can't work in fast food all your life

But don't sign that paper tonight, she said, but it's too late.

I don't remember what I read, I don't remember what they said,

I guess it doesn't matter, I guess it doesn't matter anymore

'Cause you're gonna go to the record store
You're gonna give'em all your money
Radio plays what they want you to hear
They tell me it's cool but I just don't believe it...

Sell out, with me oh yea, sell out, with me tonight

Record company's gonna give me lots of money

And everything's gonna be all right

No more flippin' burgers puttin' on my silly hat

You know I don't want that no more,

I didn't ask when we'd get paid,
I quit my day job anyway,
I guess it doesn't matter, I guess it doesn't matter anymore

You're gonna go to the record store,

You're gonna give'em all your money,

Radio plays what they want you to hear,

They tell me it's cool, but i just don't believe it

Sell out, with me oh yea,

Sell out with me tonight,

The record company's gonna give me lots of money

And everything's gonna be

I don't think it'll be so bad

And I know it won't be so bad

'Cause the man said "that's the way it is"
And the man said "it don't get better than this" no no no

So I signed on to the record company,
They say they're gonna give me lot's of money
If i play what they want you to hear
They tell me it's cool, and I sure believe it...

 

 

 

 

[iluvlamp]

Kegstand--Thank you for the Brian Posehn quote.

[logan82]

I think that if you have heard about it or can buy it in a store, then that group is probably a sellout. Sellout is not a bad thing. Every group I have heard of is a sellout. Nickelback is a step above a boy band. A small step, but at least they play their own instruments. Look up the lyrics to that Tool song. It is good.

[And That]

They write music that appeals to the masses

 

That's why they can a living at it. I'd surely much rather be popular and able to support myself doing it than the alternative.

This may seem a little of topic, but I'm just curious, Al... when is the last time you went to a museum or an art exhibit and really spent some time thinking about the things that were there?

 

[gypcasino]

jazzytrav wrote:

They write music that appeals to the masses because the masses don't want to have to think about what they're listening to. Music is meant to be thought about and explored, not used as background noise.

Says you, the self described music elitist. Believe it or not there is an area in between "thought & exploration" and "background noise." It's not as black and white as you make it sound. There's nothing wrong with someone using music as a means of escape for example. They can relate to the band, the lyrics, all the other kids in the crowd at the concert that are just like them, forgetting about their crappy job/school/parents/whatever for a couple of hours. The lyrics to "Photograph" for example, corny as they are, evoke a certain time and place for a whole lot of people. I'm not going to begrudge someone for that and somehow claim that they're misusing music and they should be ashamed of themselves because they're not critically analying the lyrics and the chord progression.

[wisconsinfan47]

Bottom line for me is, if music gets to you in any way...if it pisses you off, makes you happy, nostalgic, contemplative, whatever...that is a good, good, thing, be it Nickelback, Sam Cooke, or the Addams Family Theme. It means the art is serving it's purpose. Enjoy it!

 

That said, I really really can't stand Nickelback.

[Zycho32]

Geez, the whole lot of you people make me feel DUMB.

 

I mean, I could tell you I enjoy Nickelback- at least a good number of their songs- but I sure as heck could never accurately tell you WHY I do. Same thing with books, movies, TV shows, etc. I don't even try to put my feelings into articulate thoughts. I couldn't even give a rip roaring fart about how stale and mimicky Nickelback really is because I've never thought about one's music in that way.

 

Besides, when it comes to performing at a 'Safe' level like Nickelback and eschewing the money-making safety for creativity, there's only one kind of person who would chose option B over A; the 'Redwood Tree up the bum' arrogant people who are pretty much narcissisticly in love with their own eliteness.

[And That]

Besides, when it comes to performing at a 'Safe' level like Nickelback and eschewing the money-making safety for creativity, there's only one kind of person who would chose option B over A; the 'Redwood Tree up the bum' arrogant people who are pretty much narcissisticly in love with their own eliteness.

That's a fascinating viewpoint. Could it be the case the end objective of not all people is to become rich as a result of their craft?

 

[PlayerHader]

Again, I don't think there is a divide between 1) people who like Nickelback and 2) people who are arrogant music elitists.

 

I'm not a music elitist at all. I can't stand Nickelback. Any effort I make to view "Photograph" through a nostalgic lens gets squashed when I listen to the annoyingly simple/crappy lyrics. It's an impossible paradox I guess.

[homer]

Besides, when it comes to performing at a 'Safe' level like Nickelback and eschewing the money-making safety for creativity, there's only one kind of person who would chose option B over A; the 'Redwood Tree up the bum' arrogant people who are pretty much narcissisticly in love with their own eliteness.

Huh?

[The Mexican Weez]

I am a photographer. I take 2 kinds of photos, photos for my "art" http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/tongue.gif and snapshots for memories. One is because I want to capture an image and find an interesting story/mood/work in it. I use my DSLR for those and put time and thought into it. The other I use my point and shoot to take pictures of me and my friends/family. They are fun photos and I don't put much thought into them other than "oooh lets get the gang together for a pose". These shots are for fun and too look at years later. My point is I enjoy both and am not exclusive of either. Hey I don't care if me, my girlfriend, and my buddies' faces are blown out from the flash while the bar in the background is barely decipherable, and while I'd never show it, I'd enjoy it for capturing the sillyness that ensued.

I see music in the same way. Some is serious and some isn't so and there is nothing wrong with either. Heck I love playing Rock Band. its a hoot. I also like playing guitar too. Disclaimer, I don't particularly like Nickelback, I find it to be blah, not irritating like, say, some lame boy band, but not fun nor interesting.

Anyway the reason I decided to post here (after not posting in a longgggg time) is because I have one comment about Nickelback that I've been saying for years: Their music is the kind of music that you would see strippers dancing to. Seriously, so I've heard http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Raw Biz]

I guess I have another point to make about Nickelback. If you like Nickelback fine. I guess I really don't have a problem with that. Hell, some of their earlier stuff I used to actually like. My problem comes with the people who actually believe they are a good band or worse yet, the people who say Nickelback is their favorite band. To me, there's a big difference between simply liking something and thinking it is good. For example, I like some boy band songs but I wouldn't call it "good" music. I guess in that sense, it's similar to a guilty pleasure. I also like the American Ninja movies but again, I wouldn't exactly consider them cinematic masterpieces. The real problem is people who geninuely believe that Nickelback is a good band who makes good music and can do no wrong.

[Teatoe993]

Their music is the kind of music that you would see strippers dancing to. Seriously, so I've heard http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

 

I can confirm this.

[jazzytrav]

jazzytrav wrote:

They write music that appeals to the masses because the masses don't want to have to think about what they're listening to. Music is meant to be thought about and explored, not used as background noise.

Says you, the self described music elitist. Believe it or not there is an area in between "thought & exploration" and "background noise." It's not as black and white as you make it sound. There's nothing wrong with someone using music as a means of escape for example. They can relate to the band, the lyrics, all the other kids in the crowd at the concert that are just like them, forgetting about their crappy job/school/parents/whatever for a couple of hours. The lyrics to "Photograph" for example, corny as they are, evoke a certain time and place for a whole lot of people. I'm not going to begrudge someone for that and somehow claim that they're misusing music and they should be ashamed of themselves because they're not critically analying the lyrics and the chord progression.

I never once said that my opinion was unquestionable, so I'm not quite sure where your tone is coming from.

 

That said, I'll explain to you why I feel the way I feel. I have put a lot of time...A LOT of time...into my music. I went crazy trying to learn the ins and outs of music through 6 years of music theory and music history, and now a group of guys pick up some guitars and a microphone and their "contribution" is worth millions of dollars? That doesn't sit right with me.

[jason21nl]

i'm not really sure how someones opinion can be wrong. If someone says Nickelback is their favorite group how can someone have a problem with that? How can someone have a problem with someone making tons of money with what you would call no talent? Old saying, don't hate the player hate the game. Don't hate on nickleback for making tons of money, hate the music industry.

[Fatter than Joey]

i'm not really sure how someones opinion can be wrong.

 

Of course you are right it's not.... however the initial post in this thread wanted to know "Why people hate Nickelback?", so it is only fair that people tear into them.

[jason21nl]

i'm not really sure how someones opinion can be wrong.

 

Of course you are right it's not.... however the initial post in this thread wanted to know "Why people hate Nickelback?", so it is only fair that people tear into them.

I guess I should have quoted what I was referring to.

My problem comes with the people who actually believe they are a good band or worse yet, the people who say Nickelback is their favorite band

If someone thinks they are good, and is their favorite band, how can someone have a problem with that?

[Raw Biz]

I guess I should have rephrased my answer. The reason I hate Nickelback is because there are people who actually think they are good, yet provide no basis for this belief. There have been countless posts explaining why they are terrible, yet I haven't seen anyone explain why they are in fact "good." It's certainly not their "profound" lyrics or their "innovative" music. So what is it? And to me, saying "I like the way they sound" or "I like listening to them" means exactly that. You like them, it doesn't explain what is good about them.

[The Mexican Weez]

That said, I'll explain to you why I feel the way I feel. I have put a lot of time...A LOT of time...into my music. I went crazy trying to learn the ins and outs of music through 6 years of music theory and music history, and now a group of guys pick up some guitars and a microphone and their "contribution" is worth millions of dollars? That doesn't sit right with me.

 

Well it seems to me the base issue here isn't nickelback, but a dissatisfaction about how this world works. Nickelback (and most rock bands) is popular because of hype, marketing and a little luck. I think any semi-competent band could come up with a catchy tune that people will like, but to get to the milliondollar realm of NB, we are talking about record labels putting into the machine to get $$$ out of it. Why do you think Paris Hilton is popular? She has no discernable talent that I can tell. Hype and luck (think gene lottery). So unfortunately talented, passionate musicians have to live in relative obscurity, especialy if chosen genre isn't today's flavor.

 

The only thing that irks me is the John Cage quote because it implicitly declares that music for the sake of entertainment is a misuse. Perhaps I am mis-reading that or it is out of context, but I strongly disagree with that sentiment. I had no idea who John Cage was so I looked him up in Wikipedia and he was an influentual american composer who died in the 90's. So at least I know one more thing for my next whirl of pub trivia

 

Edit: I read further, I just realized he's the dude that sat silently at a piano for 4 minutes. I heard about that in college and thought that was creative and finally a song I can play on piano!

[jason21nl]

I don't like them, but I don't hate them, they are just another band on the radio to me. I'll listen to their songs when they are on, but I'm not going to buy their CD. What I'm also not going to do, is rip on them for making money. Just like I wouldn't hate on a group for "selling out". If I made music, and sold a lot of records, but now my stuff just isn't selling anymore, damn straight I would change the way I did things.

[giffted1]

I don't care much for Nickelback, but I don't blame them for being smart. I'd much rather please the masses and make money than please the indie rock types and adhere to their definition of what music should be. Yeah, Nickelback's sound is generic and repetitive, but if it ain't broke don't fix it.