The Long Road | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | September 23, 2003 | |||
Recorded | December 2002–April 2003, Greenhouse Studios and Mountainview Studios, British Columbia, Canada | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 40:27 59:47 (bonus tracks) | |||
Label | Roadrunner | |||
Producer |
| |||
Nickelback chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from The Long Road | ||||
|
The Long Road is the fourth studio album by Canadian rock band Nickelback, released on September 23, 2003. Recorded at the famed Greenhouse Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, [6] it is the band's final album with Ryan Vikedal as drummer, and features a notable change in style towards more aggressive guitar riffs and the inclusion of double bass drumming. The album is the first collaboration with producer Joey Moi; who engineered their previous album, Silver Side Up , and produced the band's next three albums.
Most of the album's songs were an experiment from the band into writing heavier downtuned riffs in either B or C tuning. [7] On tracks such as "Flat on the Floor", "Because of You", and "Throw Yourself Away"; Vikedal implemented the use of double bass drumming. [8] Despite this; the album features several prominent acoustic segments on songs such as "Someday", "Believe it or Not", and "Should've Listened". Kroeger's lyrics often revolved around topics ranging from breakups, self-harm, sex, and personal motivation. Kroeger wrote the lyrics to "Throw Yourself Away" about Melissa Drexler's infamous 1997 infanticide at her high school prom. [9]
During the band's appearance at Bizarre Festival in Weeze, Germany, on August 16, 2002; "Figured You Out" made its first live appearance. [10]
"Someday" later made an appearance as a part of Nickelback's appearance on MTV Unplugged in London on September 3, 2003. [11] [12]
The album debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 in the United States and sold 200,000 copies in its first week of release. [13] The album was quickly certified platinum by the RIAA on October 24, 2003; eventually being certified double-platinum on March 6, 2004. [14] The album was later certified 3× Platinum in the United States on March 10, 2005; having sold 3,591,000 copies as of April 2011. [15] It has sold over 5 million copies worldwide and was the sixth bestselling album of 2003, having also sold over 2 million copies internationally. [16] It was later ranked No. 157 on Billboard's 200 Albums of the Decade. [17]
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 62/100 [18] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [19] |
E! Online | B− [20] |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [21] |
Entertainment Weekly | B+ [22] |
The Guardian | [23] |
Now | [24] |
Q | [25] |
Rolling Stone | [26] |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [27] |
The album received polarizing reviews from critics, journalists often praised the heavier musical direction and aggressive guitar riffs, but criticized the album's misogynistic lyrics. [28] [29] The album was nominated for Rock Album of the Year at the 2004 Grammy Awards. [30] [31]
Tom Sinclair of Entertainment Weekly praised the album for its musical compositions, lauding the angrier direction and Vikedal's strong drumming on numerous tracks, claiming "The band hammers each song home with a single-minded fervor, cannily melding metal, grunge, and melody. As a singer, Kroeger possesses that rarest of latter-day rock-star commodities: an instantly identifiable voice imbued with passion and edge". [32]
Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic gave the album a modest review, criticizing Kroeger's songwriting but also praising the production of the album in addition to the band's darker change in musical direction, claiming "Nickelback courts it through their audience-pleasing grunge pastiche, which treats the style as just another variation of hard rock". [33]
The band embarked on tour in support of the album with Trapt and Three Days Grace hired as opening acts. Theory of a Deadman were later hired as an opening act in November 2003 replacing Trapt. [34] The tour included 45 North American dates, 25 European dates, three Japanese dates, and five Australian dates, the second longest tour to date from the band. [35] Prior to the second European leg, opening acts Theory of a Deadman and Three Days Grace were replaced by 3 Doors Down and Puddle of Mudd. [36] Following the tour, on January 2, 2005, Nickelback unexpectedly fired Vikedal after a minor royalty disagreement, replacing him with 3 Doors Down drummer Daniel Adair. [37] Kroeger later sued Vikedal to prevent him receiving any further royalties from the band's music, though the matter was later settled out of court for an undisclosed amount. [38] [39]
This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page . (Learn how and when to remove these messages) |
Credits adapted from album's liner notes. [43]
Nickelback
Additional musicians
| Production
|
All lyrics are written by Chad Kroeger except where noted; all music is composed by Nickelback except where noted
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Flat on the Floor" | 2:02 |
2. | "Do This Anymore" | 4:03 |
3. | "Someday" (lyrics by C. Kroeger, Mike Kroeger and Ryan Peake) | 3:27 |
4. | "Believe It or Not" | 4:07 |
5. | "Feelin' Way Too Damn Good" | 4:16 |
6. | "Because of You" | 3:30 |
7. | "Figured You Out" | 3:48 |
8. | "Should've Listened" | 3:42 |
9. | "Throw Yourself Away" | 3:55 |
10. | "Another Hole in the Head" | 3:35 |
11. | "See You at the Show" | 4:04 |
Total length: | 40:27 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
12. | "Someday (Acoustic)" | 3:20 |
13. | "Slow Motion" | 3:32 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
12. | "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" (Elton John cover) (lyrics by Bernie Taupin; music by Elton John) | 3:44 |
13. | "Yanking Out My Heart" | 3:36 |
14. | "Learn the Hard Way" | 2:55 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
12. | "Love Will Keep Us Together" | 2:17 |
13. | "Too Bad (MTV Unplugged)" | |
14. | "Where Do I Hide (MTV Unplugged)" | |
15. | "Leader of Men (MTV Unplugged)" |
Weekly charts
| Singles
Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [70] | 3× Platinum | 210,000^ |
Austria (IFPI Austria) [71] | Gold | 15,000* |
Canada (Music Canada) [72] | 5× Platinum | 500,000^ |
Germany (BVMI) [73] | Gold | 100,000^ |
New Zealand (RMNZ) [74] | Gold | 7,500^ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [75] | Gold | 20,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [76] | Platinum | 300,000^ |
United States (RIAA) [77] | 3× Platinum | 3,000,000^ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Nickelback is a Canadian rock band formed in 1995 in Hanna, Alberta. Throughout its history, it has consisted of lead guitarist and lead vocalist Chad Kroeger, rhythm guitarist, keyboardist and backing vocalist Ryan Peake, and bassist Mike Kroeger. It went through several drummer changes between 1995 and 2005 before Daniel Adair joined.
Chad Robert Kroeger is a Canadian musician who is the lead singer and guitarist of the rock band Nickelback. In addition to his work with Nickelback, Kroeger has been involved with a variety of collaborations, appearing as a guest musician in several songs and has contributed in both production and songwriting. He has co-written several songs for other artists and films.
Splinter is the seventh studio album by American punk rock band the Offspring, released on December 9, 2003, by Columbia Records. It was the first album the band released without long-time drummer Ron Welty, who was fired from the band three weeks before the recording sessions started.
Silver Side Up is the third studio album by Canadian rock band Nickelback, released on September 11, 2001. According to AllMusic, Silver Side Up continued Nickelback's tradition of "dark high-octane rock" from the band's first two albums. It reached number one in Canada, Austria, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The album was certified 8× Platinum in Canada, 6× Platinum in the US, and 3× Platinum in the UK.
Curb is the debut studio album by Canadian rock band Nickelback. Recorded at Turtle Recording Studios in Richmond, British Columbia, with producer Larry Anschell, it was originally released exclusively in Canada by FACTOR on May 15, 1996. The album was reissued locally later in the year by Shoreline Records. After Nickelback signed with Roadrunner Records in 1999, Curb was remastered and released internationally on June 25, 2002. However, the remastered edition is controversial for its audio quality compared to the original issue as its dynamic range was significantly reduced and introduced severe clipping problems throughout.
Theory of a Deadman is the debut by the band Theory of a Deadman released in 2002.
All the Right Reasons is the fifth studio album by Canadian rock band Nickelback, released on October 4, 2005, on Roadrunner Records. It is the band's first album with former 3 Doors Down drummer Daniel Adair, who replaced Ryan Vikedal in January 2005. The album topped the Canadian Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200 albums chart and has sold 11 million copies worldwide. It is Nickelback's best-selling album to date, according to certifications from the MC, the RIAA, the BPI, and the ARIA. Seven singles were released from the album. The album re-entered the Finland Albums Chart in 2010, setting a new peak position at number 21.
"How You Remind Me" is a song by Canadian rock band Nickelback. With lyrics written by lead singer Chad Kroeger and music composed by the band, the track was released on July 17, 2001, as the lead single from their third studio album, Silver Side Up (2001). A "Gold Mix" was made for latter editions of the single, with the heavier guitars edited out of the chorus.
"Someday" is a song by Canadian rock band Nickelback. It was released on 28 July 2003 as the lead single from their fourth studio album, The Long Road (2003). It reached number one in Canada for three weeks and number seven in the United States. In the latter country, it charted for 50 weeks, thus becoming Nickelback's longest-charting single. It also charted within the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart, where it peaked at number six.
"Figured You Out" is a song by Canadian rock band Nickelback. It was released on November 3, 2003, as the second single from the group's fourth studio album, The Long Road (2003).
"Feelin' Way Too Damn Good" is a song by Canadian rock band Nickelback. Lead vocalist Chad Kroeger wrote the lyrics while the entire band composed the music. It was released on March 15, 2004, as the third single from their fourth studio album, The Long Road (2003). It reached the top 40 in Australia and the United Kingdom, topping the latter country's rock chart. It was also successful in Canada, peaking at number 26 on the Radio & Records CHR/Pop Top 30 chart and number four on the publication's Rock Top 30 listing.
"Hero" is a song by Canadian musician Chad Kroeger and American musician Josey Scott for the soundtrack to the 2002 superhero film Spider-Man. It was written by Kroeger and recorded specifically for the film. "Hero" was released through Roadrunner Records on March 1, 2002, as the soundtrack's lead single. The song serves as Kroeger's debut solo release.
The Canadian rock band Nickelback has released 10 studio albums, two compilation albums, one extended play (EP), 44 singles, five video albums and 38 music videos. Formed in Hanna, Alberta in 1995 by Chad Kroeger, Ryan Peake, Mike Kroeger and Brandon Kroeger, the band issued its debut album Curb in 1996 through non-profit organization FACTOR, followed by a self-released follow-up The State in 1998. That year, Ryan Vikedal took over on drums after a brief tenure for Mitch Guindon. In late 1999 the group signed with Roadrunner Records, who issued The State internationally early the next year. The album reached number 130 on the US Billboard 200. Four singles were issued from The State, with the first three all registering on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.
"Why Don't You & I" is a song by American rock band Santana. The song was written by Chad Kroeger and recorded for Santana's 2002 album Shaman, on the Arista record label. It was re-recorded in 2003 with vocals by Alex Band of the Calling and released as the third single in the United States on June 16, 2003. Both versions of the single charted in the US while the Alex Band version peaked at number 21 in New Zealand. According to Kroeger when recording for his version of the song, he recorded his vocals while on tour with Nickelback and used panty hose as a pop filter when recording it.
Dark Horse is the sixth studio album by the Canadian rock band Nickelback, released on November 19, 2008. It is the follow-up to their multi-platinum selling All the Right Reasons (2005). It was co-produced by the band and producer and songwriter Robert John "Mutt" Lange, known for working with such acts as Foreigner, AC/DC, Bryan Adams, Def Leppard and Shania Twain. Dark Horse sold 326,000 in its first week and debuted at number 2 in the US. More than a year after its release, the album did not leave the Top 100 on the Billboard 200. In its 91st week, the album peaked at number 46 for the week of August 28, 2010. The album spent 125 consecutive weeks inside the Billboard 200. On the week of November 29, 2014, Dark Horse re-entered the Billboard 200 at number 195, more than six years after the album's release.
Here and Now is the seventh studio album by Canadian rock band Nickelback, and is their last to be released on Roadrunner Records. The album was released on November 21, 2011. It is the follow-up to their multi-platinum selling Dark Horse in 2008. On September 26, the band officially released two singles, "When We Stand Together" and "Bottoms Up". Both songs were made available for download on September 27, 2011. The first track of the record, "This Means War", was released on November 10, 2011 as the third single. The album's cover features Vancouver's Gastown Steam Clock. The clock is set at 11:21, the date the album was released.
The Best of Nickelback Volume 1 is a compilation album by Canadian rock band Nickelback. It was released on November 4, 2013, through Roadrunner Records (internationally) and Universal Music Canada to coincide with their October–November 2013 "The Hits Tour". Though frontman Chad Kroeger had previously stated in an interview that their upcoming greatest hits album would include new songs as well as previous hits, the final track listing contains only previously released material. The compilation features singles released from all but the first two studio albums from the band; Silver Side Up (2001), The Long Road (2003), All the Right Reasons (2005), Dark Horse (2008), and Here and Now (2011).
No Fixed Address is the eighth studio album by Canadian rock band Nickelback which features a guest appearance from American rapper Flo Rida and was released on November 14, 2014, via Republic Records. The album was preceded by the lead single "Edge of a Revolution", which was released on August 18, 2014. The album marks a notable change in the band sound, combining their usual post-grunge and hard rock sound with elements of dance-pop and electronic. This also is the band's only release on Republic Records, after leaving long-time record label Roadrunner Records in 2013, and then leaving Republic for BMG before the release of their ninth album, Feed the Machine, in 2017, as well as their first album to not be certified gold or platinum.
Feed the Machine is the ninth studio album by Canadian rock band Nickelback, and was released on June 16, 2017. It is the band's first release through record label BMG. Feed the Machine debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200 with 47,000 album-equivalent units.
Get Rollin' is the tenth studio album by Canadian rock band Nickelback. The album was released on November 18, 2022. The album's lead single "San Quentin" was released on September 7, 2022, accompanied by an official lyric video. On May 12, 2023, Nickelback announced an expanded deluxe edition of the album will be released on June 3, 2023, with an alternate blue cover. It was their first album since The Long Road (2003) to miss the top 5 on the US Billboard 200. It is their first album in over five years since 2017's Feed the Machine (2017).