The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy [CD]

As a long-time Nada Surf fan, I would say this is the perfect album at the perfect time.

"Clear Eye Clouded Mind" is a driving opening song that evokes the sound of "Do it Again" or "Concrete Bed," but is more upbeat and fast-paced -- and modern. Here we find the title of the album ("The stars are indifferent to astronomy") in a declaration of the ultimate expression of individuality. This song could be an anthem for anyone swimming against the mainstream. Not full of angst. Full of affirmation.

"Waiting for Something" could be the catchiest "ditty" on the album. "When I was Young" has been available for some time as a free download so many fans have heard it, of course. It is one of the more atmospheric tracks, and a solid entry. This, along with "Let The Fight do the Fighting" are two of the slower, more pensive songs. The latter, by the way, was the track a friend who is not familiar with Nada Surf singled out as a favorite after listening. That brings me to the point that this album is a GREAT gateway into the Nada Surf sound for friends who haven't been around for the duration. Throw it on the car stereo during 38 minute drive, and I guarantee your passengers will ask, "Who is this?!"

"Jules and Jim" and "The Moon is Calling" are both solid, fresh tracks that ensue the middle of the album isn't "filler" (Nada Surf doesn't make "filler"). Like so many other Nada Surf songs, these two will have you emulating Matthew's harmonic vocals (good luck!). "The Moon is Calling" reaches for a few more beautiful, lifting crescendos, while "Jules and Jim" has a paced, tip-toe approach to some of the loftier moments in the song.

"Teenage Dreams" is a marching manifesto of following your dreams. Its power is sublime.

"Looking Through" -- am I about to say it again? -- is catchy as hell! ("Are you dancing? Are you dancing at all~l~l?") Upbeat and airy, somewhat akin to "The Way You Wear Your Head".

"No Snow on the Mountain" will have your feet tapping the beat within ten seconds. And just when you think it has settled in, here come Matthew's lifting vocals, a slight variation in the timing, and just another memorable Nada Surf tune that finds it way into your head and heart.

The album ends with "The Future," which I personally think is the ONLY even marginally weak song on the album. It's fast and it's fine, but it seems a little hollow for what we expect from a band as introspective and full of wonder as Nada Surf. It's not a bad track -- it just has a lofty bar to meet, and I think it may fall just short of the rest of the album.

Bottom line: If you only like certain Nada Surf moments in time ("Inside of Love," "See These Bones," "Always Love") you won't find that dark, churning sound on this album. Like I said, it is more affirmative than any full album we've seen from Nada Surf. But if you are a newcomer, this album is the one to let you experience a series of crisp, fresh tracks and begin to appreciate all of the dimensions that Nada Surf encompass. Finally, if you are a fan who likes virtually every song they have recorded, you will find more than a handful of new treasures here. "The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy" is Nada Surf's most approachable, upbeat, lively album, and needs to be played for all your friends!

On this, their sixth album, Nada Surf don't redefine anything, nor do they go "back to basics," or express any pretension towards being edgy or relevant. What they do is bash out ten good songs that hang together well, that further illustrate their skillful blend of catchy indie-rock with ridiculously un-cynical lyrics. It's definitely a practice-room record, evident from the opening crash of "Clear Eye Clouded Mind," and the generally effortless but decidedly uptempo rush through the rest of the album, through to the dizzying coda of "No Snow on the Mountain." "Waiting for Something" is essentially Nada Surf-by-numbers, and a rewrite of "Always Love," but who cares: good tricks bear repeating. The spacey slow burn of "When I was Young," the effervescent janglefest "Jules and Jim," and the earnest "Looking Through" are other highlights. The tempo only slows for "Let the Fight do the Fighting," a shimmering minor-key gem with a nice trumpet solo and cello that feels like a companion to Lucky's "Are You Lightning?". While it won't make them favorites of the Pitchfork set, but it is perhaps their most overall upbeat and accessible record, even though it doesn't quite scale the peaks from earlier efforts. It's just another Nada Surf record: sometimes that's more than enough, and huzzah for that.

With the addition of veteran guitarist Doug Gillard [Guided By Voices, Cobra Verde], NADA SURF have approximated the thicker, more aggressive live sound they have seldom captured on record. Not that there have been problems with any of their records since the 2nd one [the debut, by their own admission, was not quite the band they have become]...but this one absolutely sizzles. The wonderful, bittersweet wordplay {"I am lost in my mind when you go to sleep"} always manages to capture the exact mood of their heady, melodic pop-rock. This one is most comparable to "Let Go", but maybe even more upbeat. The only drawback [for me] is the relatively short running time of just over 38 minutes...but, like the adage suggests, they definitely left me wanting more. Hats off to Matthew and the boys.