Nada Surf - The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy Review

Will this be the album that finally makes these guys “Popular”?

Nada Surf - The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy (2012) – 5.7 / 10.0
Barsuk Records

Whenever I hear a new song from Nada Surf, it’s like getting a shot of nostalgia. Considering all the one-hit wonders of ‘90s alt rock that never went further than their one hit, I have to give Nada Surf credit for remaining in there after the much played MTV hit “Popular”. That song was enough for me to purchase High/Low back in its popularity; however, I never found myself listening to the other tracks more than a few times. Plus, once I heard Beck’s Odelay and Tool’s Aenima, nothing else got much of my attention for the rest of that year.

Now here I am in 2012, and a new Nada Surf album, The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy, has been released through Barsuk Records, a label that once included Death Cab For Cutie. Since Death Cab is no longer with Barsuk, Nada Surf fill the vacancy as its alt rock borderline emo band. The music is enjoyable, albeit not exciting or memorable save a few songs. I hate to say that any band is going through the motions, as I believe most bands take their craft seriously. However, I believe listeners can go through the motions while listening to an album. I experienced this feeling with Astronomy.

Do I mind an album that stirs no real reaction? Not really. If anything, it’s a good way to pass the time, but I’m not going to choose it over albums with more depth or innovation. Astronomy’s best songs seem to occur at the album’s beginning with its best being “Clear Eye Clouded Mind”. Matthew Caws' line, I feel its transition when 'til we get home / I feel its transition now to be alone / With a clear eye, but clouded mind, makes for an excellent chorus. And the song itself would have, WOULD HAVE, been a monster in the late '90s. However, that time has passed, and Nada Surf seem to be coasting on the same waves.



Download: Nada Surf - The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy