It's a cliché, but many rock bands don't do much more than tour and release an album once every three to four years. Nada Surf meets this standard formula like no other. In its twenty years of existence, the American power pop group has released six albums, of which only debut High / Low (1996) is the odd one out. Nada Surf didn't sound that aggressive after this. A series of subtle albums followed,
… each new CD of which was always a little less idiosyncratic than its predecessor. That had to change on The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy. The trio decided to play as energetically and hard on the recordings as on their live show. Although opener Clear Eye Clouded Mind bangs energetically from the speakers, the experienced rockers have not really succeeded. There is nothing wrong with the melodic songs and the vocals of Matthew Caws are still a delight to the ear. But the urgency is completely lacking. The band has become too good at making exciting pop music that continues to sound pleasant at all times. Too pleasant and too standard. (JE)more
