Posted by Andrew Unterberger on 09/23/2011 at 11:52 AM News

The Popdust Files: nickelback

Did you know that there’s only 58 days, 12 hours, 30 minutes and 50 49 48 47 46 seconds until Nickelback’s new album Here and Now is released? You can keep the exact countdown open in a browser window until then on the band’s website, where the group also posted two new songs: “When We Stand Together” and “Bottoms Up.” The first, the anthemic “When We Stand Together,” has a surprisingly stirring country shuffle (mixed with a touch of Opus’ ’80s hit “Live is Life“) for such a heavy-handed-sounding title, and is actually quite enjoyable. The second, “Bottoms Up,” is more of a typical Nickelback rave-up in the tradition of “Burn It to the Ground,” fairly listenable thanks to its slick production—courtesy either of Dark Horse knob-twiddler Mutt Lange, or an obvious acolyte of his.

Check ‘em out below. Even if you don’t like Nickelback—and believe us, we understand that one pretty well—”When We Stand Together” might still be worth a listen. Just once, then we’ll stop bugging you about it, promise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STTRExjszXw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_jA9EysenU