The State
Nickelback · 1998
38 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock
A gritty blend of post-grunge riffs and relatable lyrics captures the rawness of late-'90s rock culture.
Top tracks — play these first
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Leader of Men — This track showcases Nickelback's hallmark storytelling through its lyrical exploration of responsibility and perseverance, making it a defining anthem of the era.
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Breathe Start here — With its catchy chorus and driving guitar, 'Breathe' embodies the album's energetic spirit while addressing themes of longing and relationship struggles.
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Diggin' This — 'Diggin' This' exemplifies the band's transition into a more polished sound, blending infectious hooks with a rebellious attitude that resonated with listeners.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid songwriting and production typical of late-'90s rock but lacks standout moments that elevate it.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a punchy guitar riff in 'Breathe' that sets a high-energy tone, which is maintained through the first half of the tracklist.
- Several tracks feature a prominent use of harmonized vocals, particularly in the choruses, creating a sing-along quality.
- The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, shifting to more introspective themes and softer instrumentation.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic emotional journeys
- short, engaging listening sessions
- reflective late-night vibes
- anthems for personal resilience
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — The State marked Nickelback's first major commercial success and wider recognition.
- Career context
- Released in 1998, The State was Nickelback's second studio album, following their debut Curb. At this point, the band was transitioning from relative obscurity to mainstream recognition, setting the stage for their breakout success with subsequent albums.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Creed· Puddle of Mudd· Default
Tracklist
- 1 Breathe Start here 3:58
- 2 Cowboy Hat 3:56
- 3 Leader of Men 3:30
- 4 Old Enough 2:45
- 5 Worthy to Say 4:06
- 6 Diggin' This 3:01
- 7 Deep 2:48
- 8 One Last Run 3:30
- 9 Not Leavin' Yet 3:44
- 10 Hold Out Your Hand 4:08
- 11 Leader of Men (acoustic) 3:23
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
The Colour and the Shape
Foo Fighters
Shares a similar anthemic rock sound with gritty riffs and emotional themes of late '90s angst.
Human Clay
Creed
Captures the post-grunge vibe with powerful choruses and introspective lyrics reflecting late '90s discontent.
Come Clean
Puddle of Mudd
Features heavy guitar-driven tracks and raw emotional expression, aligning with the angst of late '90s rock.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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