Nickelback - 'Photograph'
So, what's this recent Nickelback resurgence all about then? I'm not critical of it so much as I am curious, since it's apparently happened on the back of a track from a 2005 album which never got a full release in this country until the end of last year, and is being followed by a re-release of a song that got to No.29 in 2005. What kind of behaviour is this, exactly?
The song itself is far less confusing - it's your standard grungey Nickelback fare, with the focus of the song being a look back at those tender teenage years, with lyrics that sound like they must've been written by a thirteen-year-old, presumably to make it extra authentic. (Sorry, I don't wish to be mean, but: "Look at this photograph / Every time I do it makes me laugh / How did our eyes get so red / And what the hell is on Joey's head"? SERIOUSLY? When did it become acceptable to write rock songs in the style of Dr Seuss?)
By that definition, it sort of defies analysis, really - from the four line sample I just gave you, even if you've not heard the song yet I'm fairly certain you could make a creditable stab at what it sounds like, and you've probably already made your mind up about whether that's your cup of tea or not, which makes the whole process of reviewing it somewhat moot.
However, since I'm here, I might as well chuck in my $0.02 - it's not really my sort of thing, but it is at least less irritating than 'Rockstar' (although apparently it was voted the by the readers of Rolling Stone magazine, so perhaps it's not THAT far behind).
The most noteworthy thing about it for me was the way in which the melody of the first verse sounds a little bit like the 2007 American Idol winner's song 'This Is My Now'*, which given that the original release date of this song came several years before that, must be little more than coincidence. However, it's a fact that still interests me than this song, so:
Download: Out now
CD Released: June 23rd
(Steve Perkins)
* Fraser's Note: OMG! The winner of American Idol 2007 had a song called WHAAAT? What were the other options? 'I Are Winned'? 'I Done Beated You'? Or maybe 'Do You Like Me Now, World?'...
Comment number 1.
At 17th Jun 2008, Jafomisa wrote:Er actually the american idol 07 song was this is my now or know pr sommat. And also i think that the current song is time of my life (not dirty dancing theme) :)))))
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Comment number 2.
At 18th Jun 2008, igorah wrote:Ok this is stupid
WHY are they releasing all their old songs?
I mean, Photograph is probably my favourite Nickelback song ever
And now it's going to go the same way as Rockstar (which I also love[d])
And be overplayed for about 768478 weeks and everyone is going to get sick of it and it will ruin it :(
I bet that when this phase wears off, like the Rockstar phase died out, they will release Far Away next/again
My other favourite Nickelback song
*sigh*
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Comment number 3.
At 18th Jun 2008, Mulango wrote:Loathe Nickelback but reluctantly love some of their songs, like this one. So much better than Rock Star, if only for the "what the hell is on Johnny's head" line.
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