Curb? More like Beginning of the Road.

Striking while their popularity is still red-hot -- and fresh from winning a lawsuit over ownership of these master tapes -- Alberta-born chart-toppers Nickelback have reissued this independently released 1996 debut album. But if you're expecting some sort of shocking revelation, save your nickels.

Curb sounds like what you'd expect: A debut album by a band whose reach exceeds their grasp. Like their next CD The State, Curb is not as polished nor as anthemic as their breakthrough album Silver Side Up, but it does show they come by their sound honestly. These dozen cuts contain all the same post-grunge angst, snarling guitars, pounding drums and brooding moods the band now employ with greater effectiveness.

Bottom line: It's OK but far from essential. After all, we've already been down this road. (More on Nickelback)

Track Listing
1. Little Friend
2. Pusher
3. Detangler
4. Curb
5. Where?
6. Falls Back On
7. Sea Groove
8. Fly
9. Just Four
10. Left
11. Window Shopper
12. I Don't Have