Nickelback not all terrible

By Joshua Fedder

Nickelback may be one of the most important bands of our time. I know it may not seem that there are many good arguments to support this statement, but I encourage all of you to keep an open mind. The few reasons that do exist should be enough to convince you that allowing Nickelback to continue playing their music is a good thing.

Reason number one: Nickelback is tough and, like it or not, Nickelback meets one standard of rock and roll: they do their own thing and they don't care what the critics think. If they did, they long ago would have abandoned their unoriginal and formulaic song-writing and gone back to working at Starbucks, where one frequently receives five cents in change. The fact that Nickelback is still around and still making the same music they always have demonstrates that, even in the face of certain defeat at the hands of critics, they strongly and proudly push ahead with their style. With so many bands selling out these days and changing their sounds -- Green Day, Weezer, Metallica-- you have to admire their dedication.

Reason number two: the world needs a band that can consistently be pointed to as the worst. Nickelback allows us to have a gauge on what is at least musically decent. It's like this: all popular music is better than Nickelback, but no popular music can ever be worse that Nickelback. By occupying the lowest possible space on the musical talent gauge, they give us an important reference point for placing other popular bands on the scale of talent and quality.

Reason number three: as much as everyone hates to admit it, Nickelback is a guilty pleasure. Somehow we are all ashamed at the way we can relate to the words coming out of Chad Kroeger's mouth. Think of the vast number of Facebook pictures of yourself that you have untagged over the past few years. While we hide in shame from our pictorially preserved moments of disgrace, Chad Kroger wonders, without vain embarrassment: "How did our eyes get so red, and what the hell is on Joey's head?" As pathetic as we may want to think Nickelback's lyrics are, I think every one of us can relate to them on some level. I also think that none of us will ever admit to this. Ever.

Nickelback has songs about failed and frustrating relationships, such as "How You Remind Me" and "Someday," and we see them as pathetic, while we are uncritical of other breakup songs like "Apologize" and "Since U Been Gone." In these instances, Nickelback's songs represent a realistic breakup, while "Apologize" and "Since U Been Gone" represent a very ideal breakup, which hardly ever occurs; they're always messy and confusing, a reality represented musically by Nickelback. We rail against the more realistic representation of life as given by this band, but unquestioningly support the idealistic and slightly far-fetched breakup scenarios by other artists because we like the illusion more than the truth.

Reason number four: Nickelback sells records and sells out shows. According to Yahoo Music's "Chart Watch: The Top 20 album sellers of the 2000s," Nickelback is the second-best-selling foreign artist of the 2000s behind The Beatles. This is important to note, because what sells now and is popular amongst Americans will be popular in 10 years time. We've got to face it: in 15 years or so, when you are at your high school reunion, "Photograph" or "Rock Star" are going to come on. Some people may cry, some people may have no reaction -- but I think at least 76.2 percent of you will jump up and shout "I love 2000s music!" I will be among you.

Nickelback is an essential band worth keeping around. You don't have to admit it publicly, but it's something we all secretly know. You don't even have to admit to knowing the lyrics of their songs, even though you probably know at least seven by heart. I enjoy the music of Nickelback and I think it's time for all of us to accept them.

Joshua Fedder is a senior psychology major.