Nickelback All the Right Reasons

Nickelback: Mike Kroeger (bass guitar); Ryan Peake, Daniel Adair , Chad Kroeger.

Personnel: Billy Gibbons, Ryan Peake, Chad Kroeger (vocals, guitar); Daniel Adair (vocals, drums); Dimebag Darrell (guitar); Brian Larsen , Tony Bernal, Henry "Noonie" Lee, Jr., Finn Manniche (strings); Tim "Timmy" Dawson (piano); Chris Gestrin (organ).

Audio Mixers: Mike Shipley; Randy Staub .

Recording information: Mountainview Studios, Abbotsfords, British Columbia, Ca (01/2005-05/2005).

Photographers: Richard Beland; Kevin Estrada.

On 2005's ALL THE RIGHT REASONS, the Canadian heavy-rock band Nickelback offers 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 REASONS is slightly more eclectic than the group's past releases, it's unmistakably a Nickelback outing, and fans of the band are sure to be pleased.