Nada Surf - Let Go - 29/09/02
Nada Surf - Let Go
Imagine having the power to turn sunshine into songs...
New York rockers Nada Surf appear to have worked out that particular chemical reaction and use it to great effect on their new album "Let Go". This album screams summer from start to finish. Gush gush gush. Odd that it should be released when the warmth has gone out of the sun, and the damp is creeping into Britain's bones. But never mind that for now, it's a minor gripe.
Blending some angelic vocals with some rather fine frippery riffery, opener "Blizzard of '77" is the perfect track to hark back to those good ole days of Woodstock and mincing around naked to "Flowers in the Rain". It's certainly got the spirit far more of that bygone sixties era than the rather more agressive year it refers to. Yeah, there's a place for pogo-ing, sure there is. I just think it's a winter sport.
Forthcoming single "The Way You Wear Your Head" is a straight down the line rocker. It's catchy as hell and will probably have you careering around the dancefloor if they're smart enough to pick up on it in the world of rock clubs. Or they might just stick with playing "Celebrity Skin" one more time.
"Fruit Fly" and "Blonde on Blonde" are again gentle, soothing. There's elements of vintage Elliott Smith and Weezer in there. No bad thing, of course. It's cruise music really. Whereas "Inside of Love" is epic, huge, singalongable. Probably one to drunkenly slur along to after having your heart stamped to smithereens.
They're kind enough to pick you up again after this with a perky number called "Hi-Speed Soul", which lifts the spirits. That's the great thing about this record. It's so three dimensional. It's got the light and the shade in all the right places.
"Killian's Red" sees the band go quite "Irish Pub". Not for any other reason than it makes me think of a pub in Cork (and hey, this is my review). It's quite wonderfully beautiful and melodic though. They get further Euro-centric with "La Pour Ca", which is sung entirely in French. It's the only song on the album that does nothing for me. It seems to be a little too preoccupied with being “the clever song” to actually remember to be worthwhile.
It's all good though, because the last three songs make for a winning finish, so I'll let them have their clever moment. "Paper Boats" is a particular high point and a great parting shot. It's all dreamy vocals and fragile guitars and the lyrical representation of a frustrated conversation is particularly poignant.
The sad thing is that you get the feeling that this is a band that will be worshipped by few, and passed over by many. Go on, give ‘em a chance – you’ll not be disappointed…
Imagine having the power to turn sunshine into songs...
New York rockers Nada Surf appear to have worked out that particular chemical reaction and use it to great effect on their new album "Let Go". This album screams summer from start to finish. Gush gush gush. Odd that it should be released when the warmth has gone out of the sun, and the damp is creeping into Britain's bones. But never mind that for now, it's a minor gripe.
Blending some angelic vocals with some rather fine frippery riffery, opener "Blizzard of '77" is the perfect track to hark back to those good ole days of Woodstock and mincing around naked to "Flowers in the Rain". It's certainly got the spirit far more of that bygone sixties era than the rather more agressive year it refers to. Yeah, there's a place for pogo-ing, sure there is. I just think it's a winter sport.
Forthcoming single "The Way You Wear Your Head" is a straight down the line rocker. It's catchy as hell and will probably have you careering around the dancefloor if they're smart enough to pick up on it in the world of rock clubs. Or they might just stick with playing "Celebrity Skin" one more time.
"Fruit Fly" and "Blonde on Blonde" are again gentle, soothing. There's elements of vintage Elliott Smith and Weezer in there. No bad thing, of course. It's cruise music really. Whereas "Inside of Love" is epic, huge, singalongable. Probably one to drunkenly slur along to after having your heart stamped to smithereens.
They're kind enough to pick you up again after this with a perky number called "Hi-Speed Soul", which lifts the spirits. That's the great thing about this record. It's so three dimensional. It's got the light and the shade in all the right places.
"Killian's Red" sees the band go quite "Irish Pub". Not for any other reason than it makes me think of a pub in Cork (and hey, this is my review). It's quite wonderfully beautiful and melodic though. They get further Euro-centric with "La Pour Ca", which is sung entirely in French. It's the only song on the album that does nothing for me. It seems to be a little too preoccupied with being “the clever song” to actually remember to be worthwhile.
It's all good though, because the last three songs make for a winning finish, so I'll let them have their clever moment. "Paper Boats" is a particular high point and a great parting shot. It's all dreamy vocals and fragile guitars and the lyrical representation of a frustrated conversation is particularly poignant.
The sad thing is that you get the feeling that this is a band that will be worshipped by few, and passed over by many. Go on, give ‘em a chance – you’ll not be disappointed…
posted by Luci @ 7:26 AM
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