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Nada Surf
Lucky

6/ 10 [Edit this Release]
Type: Album Release date: 18/02/2008
GarethD by Gareth Dobson [Edit this content] ▾ 7 comments 15:12 February 27th, 2008
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In computer terms, WYSIWYG was a revolutionary concept; however, 'what you see is what you get' in record terms is still viewed a little suspiciously.

Which can be a problem (albeit an unfair one) for a band like Nada Surf, given that they're one of the most honest, face-value bands you could care to encounter. Their brand of heart-on-sleeve college rock offers few frills, but for many - at least enough to sustain them to this, their fifth album and third for the eminent City Slang label - they've always managed to proffer more than enough thrills.

Problem is that the trio are now two albums beyond their watershed release, Let Go. Their previous release failed to maintain the same levels of glossy beauty and enticing dolefulness. Similarly, Lucky_ aims high but once again falls short.

Opening pair 'See These Bones' and 'Whose Authority' blend their usual signatures of high end melody and harmony and propulsive power-pop respectively, but things ebb away shortly after that. Singer Matthew Caws' paean to his recently arrived child in 'Here Goes Something' is schmaltzier than even an ardent Nada Surf fan might be able to bear, sounding like an off-cut from Paul Simon's odious There Goes Rhymin' Simon LP. 'Weightless' and 'Are you Lightning' drift by aimlessly, shorn of any real weight or pathos, and closer 'The Film Did Not Go 'Round' mistakes its own tuneless paralysis for a study in quiet lamentation.

The high-energy drive of 'I Like What You Say' and 'From Now On_' go a way to redeem things, but you're left with the suspicion that these are still tracks that might have been left on the cutting room floor when Nada Surf were at their peak, a position they seem to draw ever further away from. Right now, what we're seeing isn't necessarily what we're happy to be getting.

Nada Surf
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Let Go is probably in my top 10

albums of all time. I didn't like The Weight Is A Gift, so I was really pleased listening to this. It's got a lot more of the 'dour'/haunting elements that made Let Go so beautiful, and focuses more on their strengths as a band - vocals and melody, primarily. Really good record I think.

Andy | 27 Feb '08, 19:48 | X | Reply

good band

unpretentious and just good... good at being good.

deussoundgarden @Andy | 28 Feb '08, 14:18 | X | Reply

Yep

it's not a grab you by the balls record, and even being a fan on first listen I was a bit "meh". But like the review mentions WYSIWYG means one thing in Nadaland, that is they write great songs. It's a simple formula and it works, and unless the quality of writing takes a nose dive theres always much to love in their records.

Bthe way I think the production on this one deserves a special mention, it's brilliant :-)

darkanddivine @deussoundgarden | 28 Feb '08, 15:21 | X | Reply

The production is fantastic indeed.

I fully agree.

GarethD @darkanddivine | 28 Feb '08, 15:51 | X | Reply

Let Go is in my Top 10 as well.

And also didn't like The Weight. This album seems like an almalgamation of the two styles. Good album containg some great songs, particularly; Are You Lightning, which is the best song i've heard in ages.

scutterbucket @GarethD | 28 Feb '08, 22:39 | X | Reply

If Let Go is #1

Then The Weight Is A Gift is #2 and Lucky is #3. They are all very close in quality though. Too close to really rank them just as I did. But I did anyway.

dscanland | 10 Mar '08, 22:46 | X | Reply

Simple

This album is just as good, if not, Better than anything they've put out. They continue to grow as a band with every album. I agree with darkanddive... it isn't going to jump right out at you. But it ended up being an album I couldn't stop listening to.

Key tracks:
See These Bones
Beautiful Beat
Weightless
Ice on the Wing

jayofthedead | 31 Aug '08, 21:23 | X | Reply

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