Nickelback - "When We Stand Together"

[Devin]

Assuming "Bottoms Up" is going to rock, "When We Stand Together" will be the mainstream lead single.

Impacting September 26.

www.nickelback.com

[Devin]

And the new album, Here and Now, is being released November 21.

[Devin]

"When We Stand Together" and "Bottom Ups" are now streaming on their website:

www.nickelback.com/

[singingsparrow]

This is one of their more interesting singles to date.

The beginning sounds like something not far removed from The Script or OneRepublic, but by the time it picks up and Kroeger begins singing, it has a notable militant beat to it than gives it an edge a lot of MOR Adult Top 40-leaning "rock" sorely lacks.

The most interesting part of this single, I have to say, is the telling juxtaposition between the song's melodic, percussion-heavy bounce, and Kroeger's coarse vocals. The song itself may sound quite pop-friendly, yet Kroeger doesn't rely on a softer vocal styling like he has on most other pop-oriented releases the previous two album eras.

Especially when he repeats "That's, that's, that's when we all win!" He really sounds gruff when interjecting that, and elsewhere his vocals throughout this track sound like those you'd generally expect to hear on one of their heavier songs than on a more gentle, schmaltzy song. And I kind of like that they realized here: "Just because the song isn't heavy doesn't mean the vocals have to be lighter!" It's a listenable match.

Whether it translates to Mainstream Top 40 success or not, I'm not sure. As I said with Evanescence's comeback release, I think it's all going to depend on how well this performs out of the gate digitally and how it sustains itself in the subsequent three weeks or so. This single does seem to be enjoying a decidedly more positive reception compared to many of their previous releases..........but all the same it doesn't necessarily translate to ensured commercial payoff.

Here, however, I'm predicting another Top Three placement, and their sixth #1 if they perform remarkably well under the above scenario digitally.

Namaste,
lisping HIBISCUS

[atlantaboy]

Just wanted to post that to me this is way more cutting-edge than anything from their last CD - I think it's definitely a move in the right direction, for both Hot AC and CHR

The melody to the verses sounds like the verses to Just Dance, but I guess that's a good thing, since it makes them sound more relevant

Really excited that Nickelback didn't fall into the same trap as Lifehouse, Goo Goo Dolls, and 3 Doors Down

[musicfanpete]

Sept 23, 2011 20:13:02 GMT -5 atlantaboy said:

Just wanted to post that to me this is way more cutting-edge than anything from their last CD - I think it's definitely a move in the right direction, for both Hot AC and CHR

The melody to the verses sounds like the verses to Just Dance, but I guess that's a good thing, since it makes them sound more relevant

Really excited that Nickelback didn't fall into the same trap as Lifehouse, Goo Goo Dolls, and 3 Doors Down

I'll have to listen to this, but it sounds like they have "tweaked" their sound a bit to taylor themselves to the direction Hot AC radio has been moving in. Other acts like Maroon5 and Katy Perry have done the same thing, though there still is room for more traditional sounding Hot AC music as acts like OneRepublic, Matt Nathanson and Christina Perri have demonstrated.

[HereIsGone]

Sept 23, 2011 20:13:02 GMT -5 atlantaboy said:

Just wanted to post that to me this is way more cutting-edge than anything from their last CD - I think it's definitely a move in the right direction, for both Hot AC and CHR

The melody to the verses sounds like the verses to Just Dance, but I guess that's a good thing, since it makes them sound more relevant

Really excited that Nickelback didn't fall into the same trap as Lifehouse, Goo Goo Dolls, and 3 Doors Down

Attempting to sound more relevant doesn't save it from still sounding like garbage.

[HereIsGone]

Sept 24, 2011 15:19:40 GMT -5 musicfanpete said:

(...) though there still is room for more traditional sounding Hot AC music as acts like OneRepublic, Matt Nathanson and Christina Perri have demonstrated.

And I hope that there will always be. :)

[musicfanpete]

Sept 24, 2011 15:30:16 GMT -5 HereIsGone said:

Sept 24, 2011 15:19:40 GMT -5 musicfanpete said:

(...) though there still is room for more traditional sounding Hot AC music as acts like OneRepublic, Matt Nathanson and Christina Perri have demonstrated.

And I hope that there will always be. :)

Very true. The day that OneRepublic and other similar acts can't get adds on this format is the day this format is in BIG trouble.

[singingsparrow]

Sept 24, 2011 15:19:40 GMT -5 musicfanpete said:

Sept 23, 2011 20:13:02 GMT -5 atlantaboy said:

Just wanted to post that to me this is way more cutting-edge than anything from their last CD - I think it's definitely a move in the right direction, for both Hot AC and CHR

The melody to the verses sounds like the verses to Just Dance, but I guess that's a good thing, since it makes them sound more relevant

Really excited that Nickelback didn't fall into the same trap as Lifehouse, Goo Goo Dolls, and 3 Doors Down

I'll have to listen to this, but it sounds like they have "tweaked" their sound a bit to taylor themselves to the direction Hot AC radio has been moving in. Other acts like Maroon5 and Katy Perry have done the same thing, though there still is room for more traditional sounding Hot AC music as acts like OneRepublic, Matt Nathanson and Christina Perri have demonstrated.

I hardly consider OneRepublic or Matt Nathanson "traditional" to this format.

That's just my opinion, surely, but I just don't see it.

Namaste,
lisping HIBISCUS

[musicfanpete]

Sept 24, 2011 18:41:53 GMT -5 @singingsparrow said:

Sept 24, 2011 15:19:40 GMT -5 musicfanpete said:

I'll have to listen to this, but it sounds like they have "tweaked" their sound a bit to taylor themselves to the direction Hot AC radio has been moving in. Other acts like Maroon5 and Katy Perry have done the same thing, though there still is room for more traditional sounding Hot AC music as acts like OneRepublic, Matt Nathanson and Christina Perri have demonstrated.

I hardly consider OneRepublic or Matt Nathanson "traditional" to this format.

That's just my opinion, surely, but I just don't see it.

Namaste,
lisping HIBISCUS

I'm not talking about based on how many years they have charted on this format. I'm talking about how their music has more in common with the sound of the traditional core Hot AC artists from five to ten years ago (i.e.: The Goo Goo Dolls, 3 Doors Down, etc.) than they do with the pop crossover/dance music that is becoming more common on the Hot AC charts these days. Nothing at all to do with how long they have been making music.

[No Brake$]

I don't see how this won't go to #1, it actually sounds "fresh". I am not a huge fan of this band, but this sounds like a big hit to me at Hot AC\POP. I can see this easily going Top 5-7 on POP too.

[Marv]

I don't know if this will go anywhere at top 40 radio given the current state of that format, but Hot AC will play the heck out of this.

A great thought-provoking single from these guys--nice to have some new music from them.

Should be a mortal lock top five single.

[singingsparrow]

Sept 25, 2011 13:06:21 GMT -5 No Brake$ said:

I don't see how this won't go to #1, it actually sounds "fresh". I am not a huge fan of this band, but this sounds like a big hit to me at Hot AC\POP. I can see this easily going Top 5-7 on POP too.

My only concern (and it's a big one) is its underwhelming digital performance out of the gate.

It peaked at #17 earlier in the week but has now descended to #25 presently. That suggests weakness, and in an age where much of a single's success is determined by its digital demand, it just doesn't seem to translate to a probable Top Ten peak on Mainstream Top 40 radio.

Namaste,
lisping HIBISCUS

[atlantaboy]

Oct 1, 2011 4:08:39 GMT -5 @singingsparrow said:

Sept 25, 2011 13:06:21 GMT -5 No Brake$ said:

I don't see how this won't go to #1, it actually sounds "fresh". I am not a huge fan of this band, but this sounds like a big hit to me at Hot AC\POP. I can see this easily going Top 5-7 on POP too.

My only concern (and it's a big one) is its underwhelming digital performance out of the gate.

It peaked at #17 earlier in the week but has now descended to #25 presently. That suggests weakness, and in an age where much of a single's success is determined by its digital demand, it just doesn't seem to translate to a probable Top Ten peak on Mainstream Top 40 radio.

Namaste,
lisping HIBISCUS

I think it's too early to tell - if it's gonna go Top 10 on CHR, it's gotta be from new young listeners, and most of them haven't heard this yet - out of the gate digital sales is more a sign of how many former Nickelback fans want to hear their new single

[JCMF3]

I loved it the instant I heard it. Excellent fresher sound for the band and the lyrics and content are spectacular for the format.

Were this 5 years ago, this would be a contender for #1 on pop radio as well. However, given the new direction for pop radio, I worry about its ability to perform well there.

[Devin]