Here and Now / Nickelback (2011)

1. This Means War

2. Bottoms Up

3. When We Stand Together

4. Midnight Queen

5. Gotta Get Me Some

6. Lullaby

7. Kiss It Goodbye

8. Trying Not to Love You

9. Holding On to Heaven

10. Everything I Wanna Do

11. Don't Let It End

Their last album was one of the greatest discovery that I did in recent music scene. This band is one of few riff oriented bands. From track 1, they knocked me hard with powerful riffs. I got goose bumps when I heard the intro of the song. This will be another rock anthem at their shows. Their last album had great sound production, but this one had even much stronger sound pressure. The sound attacks you like flooding water. 

Track 2 was released as a rock single, track 3 was a pop single. One thing I like about his band is that they deliver political or social messages in their songs. The album consists of great ballads as well (Tracks 6, 8, 11). Especially, track 6 is an excellent piece! This has the same mood of "Save Me". Like the last album, the sound production is very heavy but does not make you feel the heaviness because every song has good catchy melody. Every song has a good sing-along chorus that would excite audiences. Any song in this album can be a repertory at their shows.

The monster rock band on 21st century has come back stronger than ever. This album will be another milestone for their career. I can feel their great presence as a today's arena rock band from the songs.

☆☆☆☆☆