Surrounded: The Nautilus Years

Surrounded
The Nautilus Years
One Little Indian
2007-06-05

How to describe the Swedish band Surrounded: Cure inspired; influenced by Sigur Ros and Coldplay; emotional, large-scale songs. Whether it is the maudlin but memorable Moz-like “21st Century Paradise Traveller” or “Safe Tomorrow Sun” which instantly brings to mind Sparklehorse with its epic, layered and textured vibe, Sourrounded melds the the mild with the melodramatic. The soft, hushed vocals complement the arrangements to a tee during “In Comfort’s Tight Clothes” and the mid-tempo, roots-tinged “Paper Tangerine Crush”, the greatest song with tangerine in the title you’ll ever hear. While there are some songs that will be heart-tugging, perhaps the highlight is the Floydian aura oozing out of “Fellow Citizen Stars” which brings to mind “Fat Old Sun” or “Saint Tropez”. However, the lengthy and ethereal “Human Pelagic” has a majestic, soaring coda and would please many. The only departure from this uplifting feel is the guitar-centric “Easy Piranhas”.

RATING 7 / 10