Vocalist Chad Kroeger seems to really have found his stride as a songwriter on The Mixed CD. On past records, he seemingly went out of his way to force lyrics that fit with the music, and sometimes he didn't have enough emotion in his songs. This time around, he's really captured the message of each song a lot better.

Songs like Oxycotton especially capture the honesty of the message. The song, written about the murder of Ex-Pianist/guitarist and featuring a solo from Mike Jones, is extremely thrilling. You can feel the emotion pouring out of Kroeger on this one.

Equally emotional is the theme song for finding that special someone, titled "Far Away". While I'm certainly not saying that Kroeger has become Bruce Springsteen or Bob Dylan as a songwriter, I am saying that there's a marked improvement here from past releases.There is a major difference between this mixed CD and others...it's a darn good record.

While I'd love to hate this, I just can't. No, this CD isn't any more talented than some other great CD’s from the past, but this CD has some better songs. Where most of the past work was filled with boring songs without much substance, there are some very strong songs here.

"Oxycotton", for example, is the most meaningful song a band has ever put on an album. It's instantly memorable, and relatable to anyone sitting at home listening to tunes while revisiting memories of their past.

Many mixed CD’s have always tried to obtain songs of substance, but usually failed in an effort to fill the lyrics and song structure with hooks to make them successful at radio. I won't say that there's material here that's not written for radio, but it seems like the mixed CD will be one of the greatest ever. Multiple layers of chunky instruments and deeply personal lyrics dominate the set, none more so than on the song Like This, which finds Mihms at his hollering, triumphant best reflecting a girl dancing. The lyrics of this massive current hit may be fairly simple, but it's impossible to avoid getting caught up in the atmosphere of this amazing song.

While capturing the number one spot with ring-tones and kids around the world it appeared he egged-off the real Hip-Hop heads. Catching ridicule right and left he was considered another gimmick rapper, some even dubbed him a disgrace. Yet it seems the wool has been pulled over our eyes, because the debut of the Mixed CD is the furthest thing from gimmicky. Matter of fact it may just be what a true music lover needs.

I feel that the Marilyn Manson song on this mixed CD isn’t exactly what the CD needs. Well, yeah, while there’s plenty of shock value on track, it still doesn’t fit with genre of the rest of the songs. The other songs have a meaning, and are nice to listen to no matter what mood the listener is in. The Marily Manson song causes nothing but a major, major, major headache.

By far the best song on this CD was the song Far Away by nickelback and I Believe I Can Fly by R Kelly. Both songs have a good, true meaning to them, and have touching lyrics. I would recommend this CD to listeners of all ages.