In a recent appearance on HardDrive Radio, Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger stated that the Beatles‘ records are not sonically perfect, but they are amazing songs.
Following the release of their ninth and latest album, ‘Feed the Machine’ in 2017, Nickelback took their time to prepare their subsequent record since they didn’t want to rush it. The band worked on new material throughout 2021 and the first months of 2022. They finally announced a couple of months ago that their long-awaited tenth studio album, ‘Get Rollin’‘ is set to be released on November 18, 2022.
The band’s lead singer Chad Kroeger and the rhythm guitarist Ryan Peake discussed the upcoming album’s lead single, ‘San Quentin,’ which arrived on September 7, in a new interview. Besides that, the musicians gave insight into their thoughts on the record-making process. When the host asked them whether they could provide any examples of a perfectly crafted record, Kroeger immediately named AC/DC’s ‘Back in Black.’
The singer praised the album’s craftsmanship and the band’s delicate work. Then, Chad also gave Def Leppard’s ‘Hysteria’ and Queen albums as examples of fantastic records. Yet, he also explained that for an album to be excellent, it didn’t need to be sonically perfect. The quality of the songs is generally more important than the technical aspect. The musician further argued that even though the Beatles’ records don’t sound good, they are still amazing albums with great tracks, considering the technical conditions of the period.
Chad Kroeger’s words on the well-crafted records:
“You don’t realize it; I didn’t realize until years later how good ‘Back in Black’ is. You go, ‘These are just some simple rock tunes.’ Try to make one that good; that gives you the involuntary head bob because it is tough. And they are done so well, the little things they do and don’t do.
For instance, Phil Rudd could have played drum fills all over the place ironically, but keeping it simple to just let the music breathe and let the groove open up. Where he’s putting his symbols is just so rudimentary, but it is so perfect. It is like they recorded that album in the Bahamas. It took them ten weeks. Mutt produced it. That record is ridiculous.
‘Hysteria,’ which Mutt also did, is like vocals and stacks and stacks of vocals, fantastic. Queen albums, like you listen to these… But then again, they don’t have to be sonically amazing. The Beatles’ records don’t sound good, but they’re great songs. What they were doing back then with what they have is astonishing.”
You can watch the full interview below.
