MUSIC REVIEW: NADA SURF - 'THE STARS ARE INDIFFERENT TO ASTRONOMY'

A Heavenly Album Signals a Return & Improvement on Fighting Form

By: Jess Gronewold

January 23, 2012

(Barsuk Records) After four years without an album from the band Nada Surf, they are back with their seventh studio album, The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy. And if you are a fan of Nada Surf, you will not be disappointed. Stars keeps in line with the musical styling you’ve come to know and love, and adds just a touch more influence from the early days of indie music and rock. You get a taste of previous albums on songs like “Jules and Jim” and “Let the Fight do the Fighting” but with an updated sound. It’s the same Nada Surf from years ago, but with new life, love, and perspective.

An honest-to-goodness rock song, “Clear Eye Clouded Mind” is a solid beat filled in with heavy guitars and Caws’ smooth vocals fitting perfectly on top of it all. The song is very reminiscent of '90s rock acts, yet still entirely Nada Surf in its nature. This opening track gives you a great insight into the new writing style. Stars takes you on a journey, not just through what the band is experiencing, but universal ideas and thoughts. Lyrically, this song comes from a far less personal standpoint, yet you can still relate to these words.

“Jules and Jim” brings some '60s influence to this album. The beginning guitar riffs can take you decades back and then bring you up through the decades in the music. There’s something about Caws’ vocals and the music that is able to transcend time. It is alternative mixed with country and pop music, and all done masterfully. You do become a bit “hypnotized” when you hear this song. You may have to put on repeat and let yourself just float away.

Nada Surf adds in a heart-breaking tale of losing someone you love and just having to let it be in “Let the Fight Do the Fighting.” Caws’ voice has a way of sounding so young and innocent that you can’t stop yourself from feeling deeply every emotion they lay down for you to discover. This track is a little slower and adds in a beautiful trumpet piece to enhance that enchanted vibe of the past. This song takes you through the pain of having to let someone go, and then the relief in it as well.

“The Moon Is Calling” breaks into the album as an up-tempo pop/rock anthem. They give you those driving drum beats and baselines while adding synth lines to the layers. It has a slightly futuristic feel married into the slightly old-school rock sound the rest of the album maintains. You almost feel as if you are rocking out inside one of the computers mentioned in the song.

The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy is a great return after so many years without an album from Nada Surf. They are trying new things yet remaining true to what makes so many people love their music. It is rock, pop, retro, and more. Whether you are already a fan of Nada Surf or you have never heard them, you will find yourself mesmerized by their new album.

Standout Tracks: “Jules and Jim,” “Clear Eye Clouded Mind,” “Let the Fight Do the Fighting,” “The Moon Is Calling”

For Fans Of: Death Cab for Cutie, Band of Horses, The Shins, Wilco