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I have been following Nada Surf since around 2002 and ever since they came out with Let Go I’ve been hooked. Their new album Lucky really makes me appreciate the progression of this band.

While the album doesn’t deviate too much from most of their older work, it still kept me very interested. It leads off with the song “See These Bones”, which is one of the less popish songs on the album. The song still drags you in, and keeps you listening until the next track, “Whose Authority”. This song completely contrasts “See These Bones” with an ultra catchy power-pop sound, providing a fun listen.

“Beautiful Beat” is another solid track, with every instrument blending together perfectly behind Matthew Caw’s voice singing about the healing power of love and music in general. This is followed by “Here Goes Something”, a slightly more stripped down, but very upbeat sound.

The next song, “Weightless” starts to slow the pace down a little, leading into “Are You Lightning?” a fantastic, slow mix of piano and guitar that becomes one of the highlights of the album.

The pace begins to pick up again with the liveliness of “I Like What You Say” and it’s catchy rhythm. This pace is continued with “From Now On”, and “Ice on the Wing”, which is one of my personal favorites of this album. I don’t have any particular reasoning for this, it just seems that it’s beat and sound are extremely attractive.

“The Fox” is what I consider the high point on the album. While this song is less like any other on the album I feel it is one of the best songs the band has ever written.  The album ends, with “The Film Did Not Go ‘Round”. Caws’ voice croons about having to say goodbye to a love over a calm, captivating guitar.

Everything just seems to blend together amazingly well on this album. Not only the guitars, voices, and other instruments, but also the tracks themselves mix well enough that you can easily listen to the whole album without realizing it.

I was lucky enough to see Nada Surf play last night at Bowery Ballroom, and the show they put on was beyond belief. New fans, old fans all gathered around to hear one of the most talented bands out there today play a very diverse set list, satisfying all fans. If Nada Surf is coming to your town I HIGHLY suggest you go see them, this is a show you will not soon forget.

Like over 100 million other Americans, I watched the Super Bowl on Sunday night.  Being from the New York City area and a HUGE Jets fan, I was pretty indifferent about the game.  On 1 hand you had the hated New Englad Patriots who have torn our hearts out in recent years, but on the other end, you have the hated New York Giants who have to co exist in not only the same city, but the same stadium as the Jets.

So I did what other Jets fans did while watching the game, I paid more attention to the food, commercials, and half time show!  This year’s show was one of the greatest musicians in rock history, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.  Tom performed a few of his classic hits including “American Girl” and “I Won’t Back Down.”  Watching the performance, I have to admit I was a little disappointed in Tom. 

Having seen him in concert twice, I know that when you go to a Tom Petty show, you’re not going to see a frontman running around on stage, it’s all about the music.  However, I felt that at the Super Bowl, Petty had no stage presense at all…and even seemed bored!  You’re at the Super Bowl, Tom…show a little more enthusiasm.  I understand he’s been singing the same songs for 30 years and is probably bored of some of them, but atleast pretend like you’re having fun.  I thought it was a terrible performance with no backbone behind it.

Having said this, I think I’m one of the few people who actually thought this way.  I know a lot of people who loved the performance and thought it was one of the best in recent years.

What do you guys think?

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