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Nada Surf is one of those bands that was signed to a major label, and got
released from their contract due to corporate dumbasses thinking they knew more
than the band. “Bring this back when you have a single,” said Elektra Records of
the album The Proximity Effect, in 1998. The band refused, was dropped,
and went on to release the album on their own to the delight of their fans and
even critics in the states and overseas.
Nada Surf has been flying around under the radar ever since, continuing to make
music and tour on their own. The Weight is a Gift, on Seattle indie label
Barsuk, is easily the best effort put forth by the trio. It’s melodic, lo-fi,
and uplifting all at the same time, complete with jangly guitars and sugar-sweet
vocal harmonies.
“Concrete Bed” is not only a textbook pop song, it’s got one of the simplest
lyrical sentiments that harkens back to the Golden Rule: “To find someone you
love / You gotta be someone you love.” As those geezers in the Guinness
commercials say, “Brilliant!” There is more musical pop brilliance as well in
tracks like “Do It Again” and the unbelievably fun “Blankest Year,” the latter
containing the lyrics “Ah, fuck it, I’m gonna have a party.” But Nada
Surf is best when there are dark undertones, such as on “Always Love,” “All Is a
Game,” or the beautiful ballad, “Comes a Time.”
Barsuk Records has a disclaimer with this record, and that is that they
apologize in advance for an album that is going to thoroughly stick in your head
for years. That really may not be an exaggeration. The Weight is a Gift
is infectious and dreamy pop that is sure to be a hit with fans and critics
again, and no doubt leave the Elektra brass scratching their empty heads. Can’t
find a single? Look no further than this new album, which has eleven of them.
~Mike Farley
mfarley@bullz-eye.com
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