Nickelback | DARK HORSE | CD

Nickelback: Ryan Peake, Chad Kroeger (vocals, guitar); Daniel Adair (vocals, drums); Mike Kroeger (bass instrument, bass guitar).
Audio Mixers: Chris Lord-Alge; Mike Shirley; Joe Moi; Mike Shipley; Randy Staub .
Audio Remasterer: Ted Jensen.
Recording information: Mountain View Studios, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Ca.
Editors: Scott Cooke; Olle Romo.
Photographer: Chapman Baehler.
Nickleback's sixth album doesn't stake out new ground, but this Canadian post-grunge quartet is known for their allegiance to old-school hard rock values. That allegiance is borne out on 2008's DARK HORSE, a collection of riff-driven rockers and power ballads that thrives on simple chord progressions, distortion-heavy guitars, and lyrics about partying and other carnal delights. The singalong single "Gotta Be Somebody" may flirt with radio-ready pop, but most of DARK HORSE revels in denim-clad, bad boy swagger.
It's hard to forget that Nickleback is a mainstream act, however, especially given the potent, high-gloss sound of the album, courtesy of veteran producer Robert "Mutt" Lang. Like Def Leppard, another Lang-produced band, Nickleback's rock is packaged prettily enough for soccer moms, a truth evident in accessible ballads like "I'd Come for You." But longtime fans needn't despair: the band still packs a punch (see the arena-sized rocker "Burn It To the Ground"), proving Nickleback can have it both ways.

• Format: CD
• Genre: Pop
• Released: 11/18/2008