It isn’t a huge leap for Nada Surf, another well-produced collection of indie rock pop gems with twinkling keys and breathy harmonies. “Here Goes Something” summons the simplicity and sunshine of ’60s pop. “Weightless” is more abrasive (comparatively), but it still sparkles—the drumming sounds like glitter, the guitars sound like stars. “Are You Lightening?” is a bittersweet alt-country ballad and “From Now On” is a perpetually happy blast of energy.

My favorite remains “See These Bones,” though. It’s dramatic with a touch of cello, and I’m a sucker for cello (which appears quite often on Lucky). “Ice on the Wings” is a close runner-up. Martin Wenk of Calexico played trumpet and Bavarian horns on the song. BAVARIAN HORNS!

There are plenty of other special guests sprinkled throughout—Sean Nelson, John Roderick, Ben Gibbard, Ed Harcourt. And while some tracks aren’t as memorable as others, I haven’t had much time to get familiar with the songs. So maybe they’ll grow on me.

And if you’re a sucker for liner notes, you’ll have a lot to read. It looks like fans wrote in to tell the band what they’re lucky for, and the band chose favorites (some in Japanese, some in German, most in English) to print on the back of the lyrics sheet.

“I fell of a mountain and landed in my bed safe and sound.”

“I feel gratful that I have a few more months to spend with my mother.”

“condividere un sorriso”

And so on…

Try before you buy—stream the whole album at the band’s MySpace.