The mid-2000s were a fascinating time for rock music, especially when it came to power ballads that blurred the lines between genres. Two songs that perfectly encapsulate this era are Nickelback’s “Far Away” and Hinder’s “Lips of an Angel.” Both released during the same period, they climbed the charts and sparked debates among music fans. Were they both equally sappy rock anthems? Or did one stand out from the other? This question was posed in a forum thread back in September 2006, and the discussion is surprisingly insightful even today. Let’s dive into why these two songs were pitted against each other and what the online music community had to say.
The Ballad Battleground: Nickelback’s “Far Away” vs. Hinder’s “Lips of an Angel”
In late 2006, user fatalthirteen initiated a discussion on the Pulsemusic forum, a hub for music enthusiasts, posing a simple yet engaging question: “Nickelback’s ‘Far Away’ and Hinder’s ‘Lips of An Angel’ are both sappy rock ballads by similar artists and are both currently experiencing pop crossover success. Which one do you like more (or dislike less)?” This kicked off a thread filled with opinions, ranging from outright dismissal of both tracks to passionate defenses of one over the other.
Initial Reactions: Sappy or Satisfying?
The term “sappy” was indeed central to many initial reactions. Crushcrushchris, another forum member, immediately agreed with the “sappy” label, stating, “Well, you’re right about the sappy part. They both suck in that regard, but the one that sucks for me more is Hinder.” This user’s preference for Nickelback stemmed from a negative live experience with Hinder, highlighting the importance of band performance in shaping fan perception even beyond the song itself.
Pulse, identifying as a “pretentious rock fan” tongue-in-cheek, leaned towards “Lips of an Angel” despite finding “Far Away” lyrically weak and musically uninspired. Pulse pointed out the repetitive “I LOOOOOOVEE You” lyrics in “Far Away” as being “too cheesy,” while appreciating the musicality of the verses in the Hinder track. This comment already touches upon a key aspect of the debate – lyrical content versus musical arrangement.
Diving Deeper: Lyrics, Music, and Vocals
The forum discussion quickly moved beyond simple preferences and started dissecting the songs’ components. MinusName succinctly declared, “‘Far Away’ is 100x better than ‘Lips of An Angel’,” showcasing a strong, albeit unsubstantiated, opinion. Pipa echoed this sentiment, expressing enduring love for “Far Away” over a year after its release, contrasting it with a perceived lack of staying power for “Lips of an Angel.”
Singingsparrow offered a more detailed critique, targeting Hinder’s album “Extreme Behavior” as embodying rock and roll stereotypes over genuine musicality. Songs like “Get Stoned” and “Room 21” were cited as examples of lyrical mediocrity. While acknowledging Nickelback’s past missteps, singingsparrow argued that they had shown maturity on “All The Right Reasons,” making “Far Away” the clear winner. This comment introduces the concept of band evolution and album context into the song comparison.
Rumors brought another dimension to the discussion – pop radio success. Questioning Nickelback’s continued popularity on pop radio, Rumors, despite disliking Nickelback overall, surprisingly voted for Hinder, having only heard “Lips of an Angel” as a standalone single. This highlights how radio airplay and single perception can influence opinions, even when album context is unknown.
The Catchiness Factor and “Mind Loop”
[upsilon]™ offered a unique perspective, admitting to liking neither song initially but leaning towards Hinder because “Lips of an Angel” got stuck in their “mind loop.” This points to the undeniable catchiness of Hinder’s single, a crucial factor in pop crossover success, even if not necessarily indicative of superior songwriting in the eyes of all listeners.
jdmasta289 further elaborated on the Nickelback vs. Hinder dichotomy, labeling Hinder as “post-grunge also-rans” but acknowledging Nickelback’s career longevity and ability to produce commercially successful ballads like “Far Away.” While finding both songs appealing on some level, jdmasta289 found “Far Away” more “listenable” and less prone to eliciting a “snicker” compared to Hinder’s single. This comment touches upon band credibility and the perceived seriousness of their musical endeavors.
Negative Sentiments and Strong Dislike
Not all forum members were ambivalent or leaning towards one song. when the pawn… unequivocally stated, “Definitely Far Away. LOAA is one of my least-favorite songs this year.” This strong negative reaction to “Lips of an Angel” was further amplified after watching the music video, demonstrating how visual presentation can also impact song perception.
Walking Contradiction went even further, declaring “Lips of an Angel” “one of the worst songs I’ve ever heard,” while deeming “Far Away” merely “boring.” This stark contrast underscores the polarizing nature of “Lips of an Angel,” eliciting strong reactions on both ends of the spectrum.
The Longevity Question and Band Trajectory
jdmasta289 revisited the thread later, adding a forward-looking perspective: “Nickelback proved with ‘Someday’ that they were here to stay for the long run. I think Hinder are merely an industry-made act that will likely be gone by 2008.” This prediction, made in late 2006, proved somewhat prescient regarding Hinder’s trajectory, although they continued releasing music. It highlights the perception of Nickelback as a more established and enduring act compared to the newer Hinder at the time.
Gorminako initially liked “Lips of an Angel” but quickly grew tired of it due to radio overplay, preferring Hinder’s earlier song “Get Stoned.” In contrast, “Far Away” and “Savin’ Me” were highlighted as Nickelback’s better songs with more staying power, showcasing the impact of radio saturation on song fatigue.
Emotional Connection vs. Annoyance
irice22 succinctly captured a key appeal of “Lips of an Angel,” calling it “far more emotional.” This highlights the raw, vulnerable delivery in Austin Winkler’s vocals, which resonated with many listeners despite criticisms of the song’s lyrical themes or musical simplicity.
However, Arson expressed frustration with both songs, finding “Lips of an Angel” vocally “screechy and scratchy” despite liking the tune, and “Far Away” sounding like typical Nickelback. Unable to choose, Arson’s comment reflects a sense of genre fatigue or dissatisfaction with both bands’ ballad offerings.
Conclusion: No Clear Winner, But Lingering Debate
The forum thread “Far Away” Vs. “Lips of An Angel” reveals a diverse range of opinions on these two 2000s rock ballads. While some dismissed both as “sappy” or disliked them intensely, others found merit in one or the other, or even both. “Far Away” was often praised for being the “better” Nickelback song and having more staying power, while “Lips of an Angel” was acknowledged for its emotional impact and catchiness, even if some found the vocals grating or the premise questionable.
Ultimately, the debate highlights subjective preferences in music taste and how various factors – lyrics, music, vocals, band image, live performance, radio play, and even music videos – contribute to shaping individual opinions and collective discussions about songs that, for better or worse, defined a moment in early 21st-century rock music. Whether you leaned towards the emotional vulnerability of Hinder or the polished balladry of Nickelback, this face-off captures a snapshot of the musical landscape and listener sentiments of 2006.
