"I'm just a happy kid stuck with the heart of a sad punk"
The second song, "Happy Kid", begins with a little more energy, but definitely has a sad undertone, which is something else you'll get used to soon enough. At right around the 2 minute mark, it becomes even more plaintive, gorgeous, and like usual, rather thought-provoking. At the halfway point, the power pop becomes fully eclectic and subtly erupts into something more atmospheric. Almost immediately after these or similar feelings start to engulf your head, the song explodes and fades simultaneously into a perfect momentum, which leads to a flawless close, and helps set the tone for the rest of the album.
"Watching terrible TV, it kills all thought / getting spacier than an astronaut/"
Not many bands have been able to use such limited words on a love song, or any kind of song, and still been able to execute them with such precision and leave you feeling like you couldn't have said it any better yourself, no matter how vast your vocabulary. Think R.E.M.'s "The One I Love" or the Cure's "Love Song" from the modern rock assembly.
Nada Surf does this pretty regularly, as showcased on the awesome "Inside of Love". The song is slightly more akin in spirit to the Cure, but Nada Surf has a peculiar knack for making even the slightly depressing mindset sound so promising. One of their most endearing qualities is the way they always sound like their genuinely reaching for a happier medium and a higher ground. Stevie would be proud of this wondrous outfit. This is one of many cuts that should have been hits on some level.
"I can't find my way in, I try again and again"
"I'm sorry you got nowhere to go"
The resplendent "Fruit Fly" may be some sort of metaphorical masterpiece, but to me, it just sounds like a cool story about a fruit fly. I'm always too enamored with the elegance to concern myself with the unnecessary task of deciphering the meaning of each verse. This song is too good to make me care. Mostly, I just feel privileged to have it as one of the cornerstones of my library.
This song is a bit of a curve ball. It makes something not especially sad, and frankly, quite mundane, sound so sad. At the 1:30 mark, though, it becomes a tad different. This may be the one part of the song where you might actually start wondering what it's really all about. I'm pretty sure the lead singer is comparing himself to a fruit fly at this point, but who knows? I'm not really too familiar with fruit flies, although I did see quite a few of them growing up in Hawai'i. The melodies on "Fruit Fly" are among the saddest on the album, but the musical backdrop as a whole is as energetic as any other song on Let Go, if not more so.
Article comments
1 - Paulio
You know, I actually have this album somewhere but I never really gave it a chance. A silly thing to do really as many of my most favourite albums ever have all been growers.
I loved their track The Way You Wear Your Head. Having read your stirling review compels me to go seek it out and give it a few spins.
2 - • Juliette •
Your blog just made me discover them. Great music!
3 - Brendan
While I'll still be anxiously awaiting your Arcade Fire review, looks like I know what I'll be buying next. You've sold me on this one.
4 - Jerry
You rule!!!!
5 - Stacy
Thanks for the thoughtful review!
6 - 69 RSSS
Dude you bring up some excellent points ~ a great review ... I am now going to purchase this CD !
7 - Jesse
Excellent review. It's funny- my little brother bought the CD with "Popular" on it back in the day and I got so sick of it and never go to hear a single other song on that album. I never heard of Nada Surf again until I saw them live in January of 2006 and they were fan-freakin-tastic. It's amazing how bands can disappear yet not really go anywhere... yet get so much better in the process.
8 - Lana
Great review! I hope to see more of them from you!
9 - GenXJeff Version 2.0
I didn't really remember "Popular" or Nada Surf, but when I checked them out, it kinda came back to me. I checked out "Inside Of Love" and if that's typical, I know I want them in my collection. Thanks Jon! :o)
10 - Ben
Tis true, English, the best records are those that take time and multiple listens before you can really get into them. And I think good records to fall asleep to is an underrated genre.
Carry on, you've taken steps. You don't get anywhere waiting for the bus. Even if walking is slow, it's moving forward.
11 - Greg
Listening to it right now and I agree with your review. Its a great pop/indie/soft-rock album, it doesnt do anything overly interesting like such bands you mentioned as Modest Mouse or Arcade Fire but what it does it does amazingly.
12 - Scott
Nice writeup Jonathan. I was surprised to find you didn't cover 'Paper Boats'. My personal favorite on the album. Like Blonde on Blonde it has a moving second verse starting at 3:18.
Also check out this great cover of Paper Boats on youtube. This guy has an amazing voice.