The Weight Is a Gift

1. Concrete Bed

2. Do It Again

3. Always Love

4. What Is Your Secret?

5. Your Legs Grow

6. All Is a Game

7. Blankest Year

8. Comes a Time

9. In the Mirror

10. Armies Walk

11. Imaginary Friends

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).

The Weight Is a Gift,Nada Surf,Barsuk,Alternative Pop/Rock,Indie Rock,Pop,Punk-Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

The Weight Is a Gift

Average customer rating:

Average at best. What happened? (3 stars)
A must own for any loyal Barsuk lover
Quality Pop
How to evolve
Pop perfection

The Weight Is a Gift
Nada Surf
Manufacturer: Barsuk
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk-Pop | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Plans
High/Low
Z
The Proximity Effect
Eyes Open

ASIN: B000AMJD9W
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

Concrete Bed
Do It Again
Always Love
What Is Your Secret?
Your Legs Grow
All Is a Game
Blankest Year
Comes a Time
In the Mirror
Armies Walk
Imaginary Friends

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

Album 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:

Average at best. What happened? (3 stars).......2007-01-26

I know this isn't going to necessarily be a popular opinion, but I don't think this album has much going for it. Please, if you are considering purchasing this album get a pair of headphones and listen to the samples first. The first few tracks were strong, but it certainly tailed off. I suppose after the surprise classic 'Let Go' I may have been expecting too much. But that piece of work was head, shoulders, and belly button above 'the weight...' both lyrically and instrumentally. If you are looking for a 'blonde on blonde' type of track, you are not going to find it here. Am I dissapointed? Yes. Will I still give the next Nada Surf album a listen? Of course... but I wont be expecting too much if this album was any indication.

A must own for any loyal Barsuk lover.......2007-01-12

I am a loyal patron of the Barsuk label, and this album is truly one of my current faves. It is a little Death Cab mixed with a hint of Goo Goo Dolls. Best song by far on the album is of course "Always Love." For anyone who is considering purchasing this album I do recommend it. However, if you are not really into mellow indie then it may not be for you.

Quality Pop.......2006-11-12

The first 6 songs would have made a truly perfect album. I have no idea what "Your Legs Grow" is about, but it's a beautiful sounding tune. So are "Always Love", "Concrete Bed" and "Do It Again." I agree with the Amazon reviewer: the best songs here the emotionally direct songs and it would serve Nada Surf well to expand on this style of song on future releases.

How to evolve.......2006-10-12

The last Nada Surf record I listened to was their first with the funny song 'Popular', the rest of the album I dismissed for being too much like Weezer. Now they are a lot like more sophisticated (soundwise) bands like Death Cab. It's always good to see this kind of evolution in a bands sound. They are still not my favorite band and they will probably never be, but it's a good record to listen to nonetheless

Pop perfection.......2006-08-11

On "The Weight is a Gift" Nada Surf isn't doing anything it hasn't done before.

Thank God.

Matthew Caws, Nada Surf's primary songwriter, keeps adding to his already lengthy and impressive musical resume on this album. Songs with jangly and gauzy guitar lines and unforgettable vocal melodies ('Concrete Bed,' 'Always Love,') rub elbows with more moody explorations that are still as sweet as rock candy ('Do it Again,' 'What is Your Secret?').

'Your Legs Grow' floats through the air and ends with a brief deviation into acoustic strumming and ethereal drones. I could do without 'All is a Game' and 'Armies Walk' because they sound tossed off and unfulfilled, but the band answers those mistakes with the superb 'Blankest Year,' which jaunts through its two minutes. 'In the Mirror' and 'Imaginary Friends' are other memorable highlights.

This album is just another example of a band whose best work came well after they faded from the critical eye of major labels and big-market radio.

'Nuff said, except for this: 'Fools' -- a simple, sliding, one-string guitar line with a lilting vocal delivery -- may be the best song of this whole collection; why it's relegated to the bonus disc is beyond me.

All in all, "The Weight is a Gift" is an album that may not grab you immediately, but upon repeated listens its masterful balance of melody and muscianship becomes evident.

Average customer rating:

Waiting for more....Nada Surf - Weight is a Gift
Nice sound, well produced.
NADA SURF - The Weight Is a Gift

The Weight Is a Gift
Nada Surf
Manufacturer: Barsuk
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk-Pop | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Plans
High/Low
The Proximity Effect
Live in Brussels
You Could Have It So Much Better

ASIN: B000AMJDA6
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

Concrete Bed
Do It Again
Always Love
What Is Your Secret?
Your Legs Grow
All Is a Game
Blankest Year
Comes a Time
In the Mirror
Armies Walk
Imaginary Friends

Tracks:

From the Rooftop Down
Fools
Concrete Bed Original
Au Fond Du Reve Dore

Album 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). The Special Edition includes a bonus CD featuring four non-album recordings.

Customer Reviews:

Waiting for more....Nada Surf - Weight is a Gift .......2006-12-15

Matthews Caws is my hero, and my hero seems to have bad luck with women. I say this not to be mean, but after my friend and I listened to this album non-stop along with Let Go (a heavily suggested buy), he seems to be talking about how some girl screwed him over in each song. "Thank god the band's doing well," high fives to that. So back to my friend, we made it a mission to see them live, and hot damn it was worth it. Supported by Rogue Wave off of fellow west coast label Subpop, Nada Surf put on an intense and riveting show. I would say except for the lady who drowned herself in cheap perfume and decided to stand right in front of us; the show was perfect. These charming gents not only dig performing live but I also believe they don't take themselves super seriously. I especially like when bands collaborate and work with others or don't stick to a cookie cutter format for songs. Nada Surf is a prime example of a band branching out, and not falling victim to the bland band syndrome. They made a kid friendly track called "Meow Meow Lullaby". This song was part of a compilation CD, "For the Kids too!". Proceeds from CD were donated to help kids with MS. They have worked with other bands. Just recently Ira and Matthew helped America, the band, with support on a track or two on their new CD Here & Now even the boys of America were allowed to cover "Always Love" for the upcoming CD.

So after my cheerleading, I want to say Nada Surf and Chris Walla produced a wonderful CD. I would easily rank this solid effort in my top 5 albums of 2006. It is one of those CDs that I can listen all the way through and I don't want to skip over any tracks. I can't say it enough, Matthew Caws autobiographical journey, "The Weight is a Gift" is an excellent addition to anyone's collection.

Nice sound, well produced........2005-12-13

What a difference a new producer, new studio surroundings and a couple of years make!
"The Weight is a Gift" sounds a whole lot better than their previous effort "Let Go" in many ways. And I can only call their last one an "effort" because that's all it was, an effort.
Something changed in their sound. "The Weight...." is a much more refined sound mix, much more engineered, much cleaner sounding than their last one. Each instrument is clearly defined, and the overall mix is much more balanced and crisper.
Their songwriting skills have also stepped up a notch. "The Weight...." is not as pretentious as previous CDs. Lead singer Caws has finally figured out his voice, and his harmonizing is much more smooth and relaxed, a sign that he has matured a whole bunch - but that isn't to say that a couple of their songs do not sound too "light" and sometimes a tad too typical and boring - they could use some heavier, punchier sound to add to their swish of guitars.
"Let Go" was just an average sounding CD, and perhaps if the band went back to remix that CD to match the sound of "The Weight...." it would be a much better listen.
I'm giving it a 3, because it's taken them this long to figure out their "sound" and because bands like Coldplay has had an influence in the sounds of these modern-rock bands. I expect Nada Surf's next CD would be even better, as long as the band can stop singing about pedantic notions of romanticism... and mature even more.

NADA SURF - The Weight Is a Gift.......2005-09-30

I have read countless reviews of this album on other web sites and they always refer to Nada Surf, on the release of albums that are post-HIGH/LOW, as a one-hit-wonder band. I don't know about everyone else, but i have been following this band since HIGH/LOW and every album is great than the previous. This album is no exception. 'The Weight Is a Gift' is by far the best recording they have released yet. The song writing is top-knotch and the Engineering on the disc is flawless.

I should go on to tell you about the single on this record, but ever song is awesome. I cannot stop listening to this album. Thank you Nada Surf for making music that doesn't bore me after one listen.

I would for sure recommend this to any fan of the Beatles, Matthew Sweet, Superchunk, and any thing indie power pop.