Although I knew that Nada Surf had remained active making music long since the 15 minutes of fame from their mid-90's hit "Popular" was up, I really hadn't given 'em much consideration at all. I'm not even really sure why. In hindsight, I probably should have paid a little more attention. That's because Nada Surf's new album Lucky (their fifth full-length) is warm, comfortable, and familiar. It is an ultra-melodic slab of un-indie rock. What I mean is that Lucky fits into that just-so category of alterna-rock that is smooth, polished and doesn't really sound "indie" but is somehow indie enough that mainstream radio/MTV isn't likely to pick up on it. A perplexing predicament for Nada Surf indeed.The contemplative power-pop of Lucky is grand but measured. It builds but isn't necessarily likely to blow your hair back. It is solid. That is a fitting one word description of the album; an album that amazingly consistent from start to finish. Sure, Matthew Caws' spills out sweet harmonies and layered guitars and melodies that (at times) sound as if they were plucked straight from a Teenage Fanclub record, but what separates Nada Surf from nay of their peers (like The Shins or Rogue Wave) is that the band still retains much of the aesthetic of major mid-90's (so-called )modern rock. Lucky succeeds in being the band's most mature and accomplished record to date and is available now from Barsuk.
MP3 | Nada Surf - See These Bones Lucky
More music at The Hype Machine or buy from Insound | eMusic
2 Comments ↓
The great thing about being from the UK with regards to Nada Surf is that no one knows Popular here. Let Go got great reviews and that's where we started. And wasn't Popular just a crude Weezer rip off anyway. Thankfully Inside Of Love has become their signature song now.
It's amazing how Nada Surf continues to star below the radar...Their music is far above the quality of what you hear on the radio...I'll take it even further it's far above what is out there today...I love the new album...Very refreshing
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