After a brief flirtation with MTV airplay with the 1996 single \Popular,"" Nada Surf got sucked into the undertow-the angsty alt-pop movement was over and they came on board a little too late to make a name for themselves.
After a failed second release and a pink slip from Elektra, Nada Surf signed with indie outfit Barsuk and disappeared for four years, eventually producing 2002's Let Go-an acclaimed alt-pop album that succeeded simply because the band trusted their instincts rather than trying to appeal to a mainstream audience.
The Weight is a Gift builds on Let Go's pop foundation. Do not be surprised if a Nada Surf single pops up on ""The O.C.""-which is probably an inevitability, given the production by Death Cab For Cutie guitarist Chris Walla.
Featuring Matthew Caws' soothing high-pitched vocals, this is gentle enough to rouse emotion but lyrically and musically complex enough to generate interest on further listens.
Weight largely benefits from being lean-there are few, if any, weak spots on the album. Each song is crafted to avoid excess and each track is worthy of its place on the album. The first four tracks are stellar. Fast-paced, mature power-pop-Nada Surf is drawing on the rules and regulations of classic pop convention. Those who compare Nada Surf's maturing sound to The Shins or their songwriting to Brian Wilson are not far off. These guys have come a long way in nearly ten years.
""Concrete Bed"" opens the album and drives forward quickly, but not overwhelmingly. At a mere two-and-a-half minutes, the track is one of the shortest pieces on Weight. ""The world's locked up in your head / You've been pouring in a concrete bed,"" sings Caws, lithely moving onto the chorus, ""To find someone you love / You gotta be someone you love.""
Quickly following up this fast-paced opener is ""Do It Again,"" a track awash with slow-thumping bass, Beach Boys-esque harmonies and an infectious pop chorus. This track builds a bit more slowly, and seems deceptively simple until the harmonies come in over the heavy bass foundation and crackling haze of electric guitars. ""Do It Again"" is easily the surprise of the album-placed so early in the album, it sets a precedent that the band manages to live up to with the remaining nine tracks.
On the whole, Nada Surf seems to have a knack for naming their albums. Let Go's maturation resulted from the band's freedom from the influences a major label can exert-and The Weight is a Gift shows a band thriving under the pressure of following up a critically acclaimed album. Even in their 30s, the trio shows that the best response to success is no response at all-just keep making music you enjoy.
