Nada Surf

if i had a hi-fi (Mardev)

By Jonathan Shipley
Published: June 9th, 2010 | 7:00am

They sang "Popular" in 1996 and many thought that would be the last we'd hear of Nada Surf. "One hit wonder" came to mind. They had a good run and that would be that. Nada Surf, however, is still running and is oftentimes winning the race with great albums (Let Go) and pretty damn good albums (The Weight Is a Gift, Lucky). 2010 brings up a palindromic covers album, if i had a hi-fi, which fits right into their pretty damn good album list though they categorically get aces for effort.

The range of songs chosen is what makes the album worthy of a listen. Sure, they play the heavyweights (Moody Blues, Depeche Mode), but they play oddballs and obscure artists, too, like Kate Bush and Mecromina. Luckily, the album isn't straight on karaoke, all the tunes having the Nada Surf pop and fizz stamp on it.

Strong out of the gate is Bill Fox's "Electrocution," so fresh it sounds like one of Nada Surf's originals. "Love Goes On," a Go-Betweens cover, is perky, and Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence," is oddly fast-tempoed, like the band can't wait to finish it, speeding through David Gahan's lyrics like a race car (hey, another palindrome!).

Though the album is not at all necessary, it's a fun addition for both Nada Surf and its fans. And if it makes people go out and listen to Kate Bush again, swell.

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