Album Review: Nada Surf - Lucky

Originally published March 12, 2008 in The Orion

Nada Surf
Lucky
Barsuk Records, 2008
3/5 stars

On Nada Surf's fifth album luck is not regarded as a random series of events. Fate causes beautiful, mysterious events, and it's called luck. Without it, the band would never have created such a thoughtful album.

Nada Surf has traveled a rocky road to reach its charming, melancholy and indie-rock sound. The band rode the wave of punchy, nerd rock in the '90s. After failing to create another marketable single after "Popular," Nada Surf was dropped from its record label.

Cutting ties with a major label allowed the band to reinvent its sound, aligning with bands such as Death Cab for Cutie and Belle and Sebastian.

"Lucky" starts somberly, but cello and piano arrangements shower songs with inspiring optimism. Guitarist Matthew Caws sings with honesty, and sounds like the most sympathetic man as he declares, "I only want to make you happy."

Although not as memorable as other indie rock bands, Nada Surf's approach to music is capable of warming the hearts of both pop fans and indie aficionados.