On 2005's ALL THE RIGHT REASONS, the Canadian heavy-rock band Nickelbackoffers up more of its straightforward, guitar-fueled anthems. The pummeling opening track, "Follow You Home," features a no-frills Southern-rock vibe bolstered by the presence of ZZ Top guitarist/vocalist Billy Gibbons (who also appears on the jam-like closer, "Rockstar"), while the crushing "Side of a Bullet" is dedicated to Pantera's Dimebag Darrell, and includes an overdubbed solo by the late six-string hero. As always, frontman Chad Kroeger's gritty voice remains Nickelback's calling card, and his emotive singing carries every tune, most notably the nostalgic "Photograph" and "Far Away," a tender, echo-laden ballad. Kroger has never met a guitar effect that he didn't like, as evidenced by the revved-up "Next Contestant," which relates the, ahem, difficulties of having a beautiful girlfriend. Though ALL THE RIGHT REASONSis slightly more eclectic than the group's past releases, it's unmistakably a Nickelbackouting, and fans of the band are sure to be pleased.

Still riding high on the success of their Roadrunner Records debut The State, Nicklebackreturns with Silver Side Up, an album that reflects marked lyrical and musical growth, as well as the confidence that comes with having one under your belt. After 18 months on the road and over half a million albums sold worldwide, the band was ready to head back to the studio. They holed up in Vancouver's Greenhouse Studios with producer Rick Parasharand quickly pounded out the tracks that make up Silver Side Up, an album that, musically, is equal parts melody, emotion and pure rock. Kicking off with "New Again," an intense denunciation of domestic abuse that rocks with barely controlled anger from beginning to end, Silver Side Upis at once familiar and original. Chad Kroeger's lyrics "It's too bad that we had no time to rewind--let's walk, let's talk" are an ode to time lost with a father he never really knew. "How You Remind Me," the first single, is a catchy rock ballad ready to take on the air waves and make a mark on the charts for a long time to come.