Nada Surf: Let Go

When this album came out, all I knew about Nada Surf was that song "Popular" with that funny music video that was always on MTV (back when MTV had music... remember that?) To be honest... it was a funny jab at the misguided teenage importance of being popular, but not much more than that. So when i heard this album for the first time.... I was really blown away by it's depth and maturity. I don't know what happened on this album, but for them they really hit a stride here that completely changed their career. It's unfortunate that they were unable to replicate this albums consistent greatness on any of their following releases. Lucky, their new album, comes the closest I think... but it still does not even touch Let Go. I think this is because when a band tries to reinvent their sound like they did on Let Go, they are forced to experiment with styles and sounds... and sometimes, like this case, you come up with this accidental genius that comes along with a band fondleing in the dark trying to find a new and different sound. It's kind of like when on OK Computer, Radiohead reinvented their sound with experimentation, and the end result was this sort of accidental genius. Now if they kept that same style for Kid A, it wouldn't have been as break-through exciting and refreshing anymore. Well that's how I see this album... it's their OK Computer. Now they just need to take another chance and finally make a Kid A. Either way... it's a great listen.




Let Go