Lucky
by Nada Surf
  • Record Label: Barsuk
  • Release Date: Feb 5, 2008
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Spin
    60
    Nada Surf face everyday life's cacophony with a pleasant, unfaltering, even surgary approach. [Feb 2008, p.96]
  2. Blender
    60
    On record five, their lovely, surging melodies suggest a minor-league Coldplay, while singer-guitarist Matthew Caws recalls a lost golden age “when I could fix anything with sound.”
  3. Drowned In Sound
    60
    Lucky aims high but once again falls short.
  5. Q Magazine
    60
    Everytime they hit their stride, as on 'Weightless,' a delicious coupling of joyful guitar riffs and Matthew Caw's warm falsetto, it is quickly followed by a bog-standard indie jangle. [Mar 2008, p.108]
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  6. Paste Magazine
    40
    While never unpleasant, Lucky represents a slowdown from the roll Nada Surf has been on.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. Clawed
    Aug 11, 2011
    9
    I admit that I loved the mid 90s song "Popular," but I cared little about the album 'High/Low.' I tried giving them a second chance byI admit that I loved the mid 90s song "Popular," but I cared little about the album 'High/Low.' I tried giving them a second chance by ordering 'The Proxmity Effect,' but to my dismay, I was told that my order was cancelled since the album would not be released. I figured they would fade into obscurity at that point. Much to my surprise, several years later and they have released a few more albums, in my opinion, each one better than the last. For me, 'Lucky' is about as good as it gets. It's hard for me to listen to this and come out feeling down, or to feel like I was taken on an overly exhausting musical journey. It's cautiously optimistic and lighthearted enough for you to just play it through without getting too emotionally bogged down. Yet, it definitely engages you, makes you think and more importantly, makes you feel. It's kind of an exhilarating experience, and although it may have to grow on you a bit, it's really hard to be dissappointed with this great effort. I will let you peruse the critic reviews for more detailed comments, but the standout tracks for me are "See These Bones," "The Fox," and "Beautiful Beat."… Full Review »
  2. GMan
    Mar 18, 2008
    8
    Very reminiscent of the last Long Winters album with a touch of Portastatic. A couple really nice and catchy tunes with a couple that need Very reminiscent of the last Long Winters album with a touch of Portastatic. A couple really nice and catchy tunes with a couple that need time to digest. Overall a solid album, worth a couple listens at the least, a great background album too.… Full Review »
  3. KGF.
    Mar 17, 2008
    7
    Not as great as Let Go or Weight is a Gift, but still quite alright. Things become a little monotonous due to the similar tempos in a couple Not as great as Let Go or Weight is a Gift, but still quite alright. Things become a little monotonous due to the similar tempos in a couple songs (sequencing is a little iffy), good songwriting as always though.… Full Review »
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