Lucky

On LUCKY, Nada Surf's third album since it reemerged on the Barsuk label as unlikely alt-rock survivors, the Brooklyn-based power-pop band presents another well-honed set of immediately engaging songs. Alternating between gentle melancholy moments (the introspective "Beautiful Beat") and bright bursts of melody (the twinkling "Here Goes Something"), LUCKY is a testament to the ensemble's considerable songwriting abilities, as well as frontman Matthew Caws's sincere guy-next-door charm. While those who remember Nada Surf's gimmicky mid-'90s single "Popular" may still be reluctant to follow the band's latter-day phase, those who do will be rewarded with keen and pleasantly understated pop tunes.