2005’s The Weight Is A Gift found Nada Surf frontman Matthew Caws dealing with the fallout of a toxic relationship. Lucky, the NYC trio’s fifth LP, finds Caws, while apparently still reeling a bit, tentatively dipping his toes back into the pool. Feeling disoriented on the opening “See These Bones” (“I don’t like to call or write, except when it’s too late at night/I mostly just think in the dark”), he seeks solace in music on the lilting “Beautiful Beat” and eventually seems to find peace, if not everlasting happiness, in the prospect of a new love: “I was on the wagon, I thought I was done … But I like what you say/You say, ‘Baby, I only want to make you happy’” (“I Like What You Say”).
Lucky is somewhat muted compared to past Nada Surf records—change-of-pace World War I historical sketch “Ice On The Wing” (complete with an olde-tyme oompa-band outro) is really the only uptempo rocker, and powerhouse drummer Ira Elliot occasionally sounds like he’s playing wet Yellow Pages—but it’s so melodic, so lush, so beautiful, there’s nothing missing. A quality outfit from 1996 debut High/Low, Nada Surf took it to The Next Level with 2003’s near-flawless Let Go and has followed it up with two amazing, richly rewarding efforts. How fortunate are we? [www.barsuk.com]
—Matt Hickey
