The Weight Is a Gift

Nada Surf (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 13, 2005)
• Original Release Date: September 20, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Barsuk
• ASIN: B000AMJD9W
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #28,858 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Produced with Death Cab for Cutie's Chris Walla, The Weight is a Gift is a less elliptical musical offering than Let Go. Just as that 2003 recording put Nada Surf back on the map, after several years stuck in post-major label limbo, their fourth full-length proves its success was no fluke. As before, singer/guitarist Matthew Caws is as much lovesick dreamer as pop culture junkie. Last time around, he was extolling the pleasures of Blonde on Blonde, now it's Paris, Texas ("Comes a Time") and "Lenny Bruce's Bug Eyes" ("Imaginary Friends"). Ultimately though, it's the more emotionally direct material that leaves the biggest impression, like "Your Legs Grow" and "Always Love" (the only song that sounds a little like Death Cab). The one exception would be the fuzzed-out, but still poppy "The Blankest Year," which deviates into darker territory, like the Hollies covering Iggy Pop's "Lust for Life." --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Product Description

The follow-up to 2003's masterpiece, "Let Go", is a perfect pop album sure to alleviate the growing breathless anticipation among long-term fans and recent converts. It carries on the contemplative tone that characterized much of "Let Go" with tracks of heartrending beauty, introspection, wit, and often deceptively dark lyrics, while also displaying the band's penchant for pure pop melody. Produced by Chris Walla (Death Cab For Cutie, The Decemberists, The Thermals).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not Too Indy But Still Super Dooper, February 2, 2006

By	Kida - See all my reviews

As a person who likes indy rock, it is hard for me to often let co-workers and friends sample different bands. Not because I want to horde all the "cool music" in hopes that while sitting at an art opening I can say something like, "have you heard of said cool band?" Truthfully, I want to share the music that I have found with everyone; however, when I do so, most people think that the music is too strange and off beat from what they normally listen to. Nada Surf's The Weight is a Gift is a collection of good pop/indy rock tunes that anyone can enjoy. There are no heavy guitar riffs, no raspy vocals, just a pure, steady rock sound with lots of creativity and heart. So next time you are at the water cooler talking about music, tell your cubicle buddy about Nada Surf, because everyone can relate to good music.

18 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can it top "Let Go"?, October 5, 2005

By	Paul J. Mazzoni "bologna4" (Sioux City, IA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Before I write anything, you must understand how much I love Nada Surf's previous album, "Let Go". I would certainly put it in my Top 20 favorite albums of all-time. Whenever you have a situation like that, you cross your fingers that their next album can be nearly as good. Well, I would go so far to say it's better, but in a different way. It's like a companion piece to "Let Go". They didn't dramatically change their sound like some bands might do after a huge hit when they are afraid of being compared to their previous effort. As I listened to "The Weight is a Gift", I kept wondering: "Could this band ever go wrong?"

Upon first listen, the album sounds much more "poppy" and "cheerful" then "Let Go" as a whole. This tone is set from the get go with "Concrete Bed", with it's lush vocals and breezy guitar. But the more I listen to the remaining songs, the more they resemble the tone of "Let Go". There are more mid-tempo, concise rock/pop songs and fewer ballads compared to "Let Go". It's really hard to pick a standout song, because they are all solid. I would probably pick "What is Your Secret?". I think the reason is because of the catchy lyrics that permeate this entire album....such as: "Our movies don't play much anymore/the actress was fired". Or my personal favorite phrase (from "Imaginary Friends"): "Lenny Bruce's bug eyes."

Recently I have been inundated with new music and most albums I am lucky to listen to one time in its entirety. However, I have probably listened to this album at least 10 times since I got it 2 weeks ago. I have only two somewhat negative things to say about the album. (1) If you are put off by bad language in songs, you might not enjoy "The Blankest Year", in which the f-word is repeated several times. Admittedly, I don't like such language in songs and I don't like the trend toward it these days. However, this song is so catchy you might look past it. Astonishes me that they did put it in the song. (2) There is about 5 minutes of no sound after the last song until something almost as unrewarding starts up. Again, I have no idea why bands do this. Either way, it shouldn't stop you from buying this album!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Directness is a gift..., September 13, 2005

By	Chris G. "music lover" (NY, NY) - See all my reviews

For those expecting "Let Go" Part II...

You may be surprised.

Gone are the hallowed introspection, moody musings and indie-production that made Let Go shine. On this new LP, I don't see the harrowing grace that was "Fruit Fly" or the wispy and up-front melancholia that was "Blonde on Blonde."

I do see a fine new LP that's more direct, more clear, more "sunny" pop sounding, yet still retains the trademark Nada Surf songcraft and wit.

I'm still mulling over the new disc, but have very good impressions on the different direction this new title takes.

The guitars are sharp and more "direct". There's less "air" to the songs -- tighter constructions rather than blissful melodies that take time to develop or those that refrain over-and-over (and often collapse on itself).

Lyrics are as wonderful as ever (e.g. - the weight is a gift line is simply great), vocals = more upfront.

If this signals the beginning of a great musical '05 fall, I'm all for it.