Butt Monkey: it's kind of in-vogue to make fun of them.
Critic Proof: Most major critics despise Nickelback, but they've still managed to become very successful.
Critical Dissonance: They are constantly at the receiving end of criticism, and yet they have managed to sell millions of albums, along with several big singles.
Early Installment Weirdness: Both Curb and The State are much heavier and less-commercial than anything the band has recorded since Silver Side Up
Hilarious in Hindsight: "Rockstar" uses the lyrics "I'm gonna sing those songs that offend the censors". When the song was released as a single, it ended up getting censored.
It's Popular, Now It Sucks: What many of their older fans think. For a band with such a vocal Hatedom, and that so few people claim to like publically, you'd think they'd get less airplay and make less money.
Misattributed Song: The Spider-Man single "Hero" is often attributed to Nickelback, when it was a Chad solo song, along with Saliva frontman Josey Scott. (with Chad's brother Mike on the bass, MattCameron on the drums, and Tyler Connoly on guitar)
And Tyler Connoly was a last minute additions. Originally the guitar solo was supposed to be recorded by Jerry Cantrell.
The song Into the Night often suffers this too. In actuality, it is a Santana song which features Chad Kroeger (vocals).
Ditto for "Why Don't You And I?" despite the obvious presence of Santana's signature guitar.
Mood Whiplash: Often induces this from song to song, to their detriment. Many of their songs' content comes off as earnest and emotional and can sometimes border on Silly Love Songs. And then they come out with a tune like "Animals"...and many more like it.