Nada Surf's Lucky

Genre: Indie Rock














Lucky, the new Nada Surf record is pure pop bliss. From the first song, "See These Bones" and it's melodic guitar tune to the last, "The Film Did Not Go 'Round" and it's tale of a broken projector, Nada Surf captures indie pop with catchy and memorable lyrics. The first single, "Whose Authority" stands out with harmonizing riffs and a chorus you won't forget, "On whose authority/I have none over me/On whose authority/There's none that I can see." The records projects feelings of restlessness, longing and the elusiveness of love as intimate tunes become we're-all-in-this-together anthems. Ben Gibbard makes a guest appearance on "See These Bones" as well. The versatility in song structure and instruments reflects a mature band that really knows how to write songs ("Are You Lightning?" especially). The album is both fresh and grounded in the Nada Surf tradition, with exceptional drum work from Ira Elliot, hooking bass from Daniel Lorca, and ever improving vocals from Matthew Caws. Lucky is out February 5th on Barsuk Records.


















Album Rating: 4.5/5

Louis XIV's Slick Dogs and Ponies

Genre: Garage Rock





















San Diego garage rock quartet Louis XIV released Slick Dogs and Ponies on January 28th. Three years after releasing their debut The Best Little Secrets Are Kept, Louis returns with the same catchy classic rock-meets-garage glam along with a more symphonic sound. The addition of strings reveals a musically ambition and bold album, often leading from garage band pep to a chorus of sounds and explosions, most notably in "Misguided Sheep." After dealing with the controversy over lyrics in Finding Out True Love Is Blind off The Best Little Secrets Are Kept, Louis XIV returns with maturity, though still retaining their saucy lyrics in Tina, "Hey Tina/ You're much meaner/Than you ever were to me before/You're so bitchy/You make me itchy/Can you just turn me on some more?" They've found a fresh new twist without sacrificing pace or taste. If you purchase the album off iTunes, you'll also get three bonus tracks, a remix of Air Traffic Control, Louis' cover of Eleanor Rigby (originally by the Beatles), and Thief in the Choir. Thief in the Choir features a melodic chorus sung by Brandon Flowers of the Killers. The song itself reminds me of Cryin' by Aerosmith, though I can't say why. Slick Dogs and Ponies can be found in most retailers or off Louis XIV's store at Atlantic Records.



















Album Rating: 4/5

Chris Walla's Field Manual

Genre: Indie Pop



Guitarist and producer of Death Cab For Cutie, not to mention an in-demand producer of other indie artists like Nada Surf and The Decemberists, Chris Walla's solo debut Field Manual hit stores January 29th. I received my limited-edition full art album in the mail today straight from Barsuk Records. Walla had previously released several cassette recordings under the moniker Martin Youth Auxiliary. There are twenty some odd of these recordings available under Chris' studio website, The Hall of Justice. Field Manual feels like an album produced by Walla, with simple rhythms and iconic melodies. Like Death Cab without Benjamin Gibbard. The album's first single Sing Again, is as NPR describes it, "two minutes of pop-pleasure". The unmercifully catchy chorus and bass-propelled riffs hint at a darker meaning as the songs ends, "A life packed full of mindless joy/it is not easy to enjoy, oh." Other stand-out songs like Geometry & C., heralding the catchy chorus, " Let your heart keep the time," and Everyone Needs A Home, a cheerful, self-explanatory song of just needing a place to go. Surprisingly, Death Cab's vocalist Gibbard did not make an appearance on the indie-pop debut, though you can see his face in the video for Sing Again, below. Field Manual can be purchased from most indie retailers, or from Barsuk Records.



Album Rating: 4.5/5