Better To Be Lucky Than Good
Unpredictable yet catchy, Nada Surf delivers on their fifth album.
Nada Surf
Lucky
Released on Nov 30, -0001
Lucky, the fifth album by New York’s indie rock trio Nada Surf, isn’t quite what it seems. From the opening bars of “See These Bones” to the hold on the final note of “The Film Did Not Go ‘Round,” Lucky keeps you guessing. The structure of the songs is the classic verse-chorus-verse, but from song to song you never know if the song that begins with Matt Caws’ very melancholy voice is going to turn into an upbeat anthem for your Saturday afternoon or if the song will be one of mourning for love lost.
Common themes range from the classic loneliness on “I Like What You Say” to social commentary on “Whose Authority.” The happy songs will put a skip in your step regardless of how much of a pessimist or gloomy Gus you are; and the mellow, borderline depressing songs bring to mind rainy days and less than happy times. Every single song has an almost cinematic quality. Just put on “Weightless” while you’re driving somewhere, preferably on a cloudy day, and you’ll understand.
Lucky also features several guest appearances. Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie and Sean Nelson of Harvey Danger join in for backing vocals on “See These Bones,” Ed Harcourt plays piano on “Weightless” and “Beautiful Beat” and Juliana Hatfield does some singing on “I Wanna Take You Home.” All things considered, Lucky is a great all around effort from one of the more overlooked bands out there.
High Point
Low Point
Posted by Cory Roop on Feb 12, 2008 @ 12:00 am