Nickelback: Live at Sturgis 2006

When it comes to post-grunge, Canada's Nickelback are the no-frills burgers-and-beers guys of the genre. Granted, the pyrotechnics, video monitors, and hi-def camera work might qualify as “fancy” for this concert filmed at Sturgis, SD's 2006 “Rock N' the Rally” festival (an event for motorcycle enthusiasts that attracted some 450,000 people), but the band still dishes up the loud, melodic crunch fans have come to expect. On tour in support of their fifth album, All the Right Reasons, Nickelback performs a 12-song set comprised mainly of rockers, although a few power ballads are interspersed throughout, such as “Photograph,” after which singer/guitarist Chad Kroeger chides the audience for not cheering loud enough, and “Far Away,” which inspires praise for the “wonderful amount of naked breasts” in the crowd, followed by the disclaimer that, “I should try to be a gentleman and not comment about this...” (the DVD itself is free of any nudity or coarse language—meaning that Kroeger's commentary features numerous edits). For those who don't appreciate the political incorrectness, Nickelback—which also includes Mike Kroeger (bass), Ryan Peake (guitar), and Daniel Adair (drums)—does pay tribute to slain Pantera guitarist Darrell “Dimebag” Abbott with kind words, archival footage of the musician, and the song “Side of a Bullet.” Presented in DTS, SRS 5.1 (i.e., circle surround), and stereo, DVD extras include a behind-the-scenes documentary, featurette on Sturgis, cameo-filled video for “Rockstar” (Wayne Gretzky, Gene Simmons, etc.), and a photo gallery. Given the band's popularity, this should be considered a strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (K. Fennessy)