Music

Nickelback: 'Photograph'

Released on Monday, Jun 23 2008
Published Wednesday, Feb 20 2008, 11:36 GMT | By Nick Levine | 7 comments
Nickelback: 'Photograph'
When 'Photograph' was originally released in October 2005, it stuttered into the charts at number 29. Now, thanks to the bewildering popularity of 'Rockstar' – seven weeks in the top ten and counting – it's been granted a reissue. Sometimes, it's tempting to surmise, we get what we deserve.

All the Nickelback staples are present and correct here: terrible lyrics, lots of over-dubbed guitars on the chorus and Chad Kroeger's unintentionally comic impression of Rod Stewart. There's no denying the fundamental competence of 'Photograph' – if you'd never heard another rock song in your life, this would sound pretty good - but no-one should have to listen to music this joyless, let alone pay 79p for the privilege.


> Click here to watch the 'Photograph' video
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2 Stars
5 Stars
Megan =), on July 4th, 2008
Its mint
Rebecca, Ireland, on April 19th, 2008
Love Nickelback and Love that song! By the way, do you EVER write a review that doesn't read the artists down to dirt? Or are you incapapble of saying things that are in some way decent??
1 Stars
Allan, London, on March 11th, 2008
Lewis - You should dissect lyrics, because if they don't mean anything to you, or you can't relate to them or you don't even enjoy the story they are telling, then the song has nothing to offer you, apart from a chorus melody i have heard a million times before. Chris - the lyric is so obvious, i don't need you to explain to me the images it conjures up in your mind. I think what also annoys about the song is the way he shouts the verses. There is just a guitar and Chad shouting awful lyrics over the start of the song. Anyway, it's just a matter of opinion, this band will no doubt continue to sell out stadiums around the world. Unfortunately, it's going to be you guys standing up front listening to this cod sentimentality thinking of your own photos from the 80's and getting all tearful. Music can be so powerful!
4 Stars
Chris, Reading, on March 10th, 2008
i don't really think this song is supposed to be "rock", it's more about how people reflect on their past. Allen - the idea of having the lyrics "And what the hell is on Joey's head" makes me imagine that he's sat looking at pictures from his childhood, and is saying "Did we really used to wear things like that?!" It's like if I see photos of people from the 80's, I think "People used to find hair like that fashionable?!" I think it's quite clever, and I have to say, I have never skipped this song once on my ipod. I'll accept that the song is hit and miss, but I for one do not agree with the review.
4 Stars
Lewis, Suffolk, on March 10th, 2008
I am baffled by the harshness of the review. And why Allan is being so pretentious about the lyrics? I don't make a habit of dissecting lyrics, if I like a song with 'uncool lyrics' then so what? Surely the sound of the song is more important? This is not Nickelback's best song, but other songs like Never Again, Animals and Follow you home are (in my opinion) very good rock songs. Nickelback are a good band, they'll never be world beaters, but I saw them live in 2005 and thought they were excellent. They seem to do an almost annual sell-out arena tour in the US and Canada, but don't come over here any more, probably due to morose comments like the ones I have seen here.
1 Stars
Allan, London, on February 22nd, 2008
Awful song. This track contains the lyric 'And what the hell's that on Joey's head?'. It has to be the worst moment in rock music. A low ebb, even by their standards.
4 Stars
DB, York, on February 20th, 2008
I can't really see what you mean I think this song is pretty good. It's not Nickelback's best (and it's not the one I would have chose for a re-release) but it's alright, and it's the kinda song you'll be singing in your head (or out loud) after you hear it a few times.

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