Fans of Nada Surf (I’m an admitted one), have been waiting for a new album since 2005! I remember seeing them at KROQ’s Almost Acoustic Christmas that year, and while they were the opening act and fairly new to people who only follow mainstream, they blew the audience away with excellent vocals and really set the tone for the night that was about to follow.

Lucky, their fifth album, should then prove to everyone that The Weight is a Gift was not a fluke. It features many guest artists, one being Ben Gibbard (of Death Cab For Cutie and the Postal Service fame). He sort of hinted at that during the December, 2005 concert; calling them out and praising them, during Death Cab’s own act.

Letting it play in iTunes, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But once “See These Bones” and “Whose Authority” came around, I knew I was to be in for a treat. Nada Surf has sort of found a groove playing slow to mid-tempo songs. Their lyrics and delivery are like a mix between Death Cab’s emotions and Motion City Soundtrack’s metaphorical weirdness.

They leave lyric interpretations up in the air, instead of the obvious clichés (breakup, ex-girlfriend, etc) that too many artists are putting out today. Lead singer, Matthew Caws’ vocals are soothing and reassuring.
Put this album in the right hands, and it will be a masterpiece. Give it to any regular person who just enjoys indie music, and it will be a great string of “Beautiful Beats.”

Nada Surf is a band that I prefer to listen to alone. I’m not saying this in a bad way. The lyrics sort of sink in and you get the full effect all the way until the last depressing sentence in “The Film Did Not Go ‘Round.” Pop it in and give it a listen. See if you like it or LOVE it.