Let Go
by Nada Surf
  • Record Label: Barsuk
  • Release Date: Feb 4, 2003
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 38 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 38
  3. Negative: 2 out of 38

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  1. a_1
    Dec 9, 2010
    10
    "Well son", I said. This is my favourite album of all time"...
  2. kelme
    Jul 6, 2004
    10
    best album of the year 2003
  3. MATTP
    Jul 2, 2005
    10
    Thank God nobody knows who this band is. I saw them play live and they are exciting. I have actually listened to the band since High/Low and really dug that album. The Promixity Effect was a damn good album and you could tell that they were starting to find their sound. And then came Let Go and what a masterpiece. I look forward to hearing from these guys in the future for sure. If they Thank God nobody knows who this band is. I saw them play live and they are exciting. I have actually listened to the band since High/Low and really dug that album. The Promixity Effect was a damn good album and you could tell that they were starting to find their sound. And then came Let Go and what a masterpiece. I look forward to hearing from these guys in the future for sure. If they even had a publicst, they would sell millions of records. But they don't and the masses just don't get it. But we do and we are lucky for that. "Paper Boats" is the best cd ender ever. Bar none.… Expand
  4. DavidJ
    Jun 19, 2003
    10
    Mid-year contender for album of the year...every track is solid.
  5. BartF
    Aug 27, 2004
    9
    a true desert island disc
  6. TJP
    Oct 5, 2005
    10
    Wow, Rob Mitchum really doesn't know what he talking about. I have been a huge fan since "High/Low" and this is by far the best CD that Nada Surf has put out, and one of the best albums I have ever heard. Period. Their new one is good, too, but "Let Go" just can't be topped.
  7. JoeB
    Apr 4, 2005
    10
    I couldn't believe someone gave this album a bad review. How does rob mitchum stay employed? If I were that bad at my job, I'd be donating sperm and blood for a living. Anyway, soaring vocals, perfectly layered harmonies, and melodies that are run circles around the bands these guys (unfairly) get compared to (Weezer? These guys are writing the stuff weezer wishes they could write).
  8. DaveF
    Jul 28, 2005
    10
    One of my favorite records. I've been spinning it off and on for nearly two years, and its sweet exuberance hasn't worn thin yet. Buy it, treasure it, tell your friends
  9. MikeF
    Feb 8, 2008
    9
    Beautiful record. Pitchfork can suck a dick for all I care.
  10. ebokw
    Oct 31, 2004
    10
    what a beautiful album. blonde on blonde is my favorite song, but barely. rob mitchum from pitchfork is a complete moron, look up his other reviews for more proof. Stylus is trying too hard to be pitchfork.
  11. ColeN
    Jul 18, 2004
    8
    Poop, but wonderfully entertaining poop. Listening is enjoyable, and even fun!!!
  12. JasonI
    Oct 10, 2005
    10
    This is one of my favorite records despite the fact that High/Low and the Karmic Ep are two of the most god awful pieces of garbage that i have ever heard. You need this album now!
  13. SteveO
    Jul 5, 2005
    9
    Pitchfork is the most superficial music review site that has ever existed.
  14. alexanderc
    Feb 16, 2006
    10
    the best cd by the best band ever.... sorry to sound like a little MTV baby, but its true
  15. MikeL
    Mar 22, 2006
    9
    I'm not a huge nada surf fan. In fact, I stumbled onto this album by accident, but it grabbed me, pulled me in, and made me fall in love with it. Pop songs that truly captivate, rather than just pass the time.
  16. RickF
    Apr 22, 2007
    10
    Awesome record. Can't get enough of it. By the way, the guys at Pitchfork.com wouldn't know good rock records if they stroked their cocks for 'em.
  17. CJD.
    Feb 2, 2008
    10
    Rob Mitchem, what a friggin DB. Does he even write for PF anymore?
  18. ChrisW
    Feb 16, 2006
    10
    This is my favorite album. A masterpiece it is. I suspect that those critical reviewers (Mojo, Blender) just didn't listen long enough. Just because a record doesn't sound like something "new" on first listen, doesn't make it any less valuable. "Let Go" may not be the first "Alternative Pop/Rock" record, but that doesn't mean it isn't the best. P.S. "Pitchfork" This is my favorite album. A masterpiece it is. I suspect that those critical reviewers (Mojo, Blender) just didn't listen long enough. Just because a record doesn't sound like something "new" on first listen, doesn't make it any less valuable. "Let Go" may not be the first "Alternative Pop/Rock" record, but that doesn't mean it isn't the best. P.S. "Pitchfork" are just a bunch of hipster-doofuses. Do they like anything that doesn't sound like it was recorded in a garage (not that recording in a garage is bad).… Expand
  19. benjaminw
    Feb 16, 2006
    10
    amazing album. the best album i've ever heard. don't ever stop listening to it, for it just gets better and better and better.
  20. johnl
    Feb 16, 2006
    10
    the best album ever.
  21. butchbob
    Feb 16, 2006
    10
    this album has done it for me. it never has let me down. i can just let go.
  22. RobA
    May 21, 2006
    9
    I'm making this post in May 2006 to say -- WOW, Nada Surf has really held up their end of the bargain. This album is amazing and they've kept the pace with each successive release. I can only pray that Pitchfork is looking back on their short-sighted, downright obnoxious review from 3 years ago and realizes what total idiots they are. Long live Nada Surf!
  23. ChadyzGroove
    Dec 4, 2010
    10
    This is one of my favorite albums from the 2000s. It had definitely held up over the year, and only seems to get better with time. If you have only listened to High/Low or the song Popular, you are missing out on one of the greatest bands, and albums of this generation.
  24. Jwphelps
    Aug 26, 2022
    10
    This album is a nostalgia hit, but also holds up and isn't out of place played today.

Awards & Rankings

89
#89 Best Album of 2003
65
#65 Most Discussed Album of 2003
50
#50 Most Shared Album of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 2 out of 11
  1. Blender
    70
    This wistful, road-trip nostalgia-pop is the sound of alt-rock after the gold rush. [#14, p.141]
  2. The A.V. Club
    80
    Virtually every song on Let Go hits its mark in one way or another, dispensing consistently remarkable moments that range from the sweet minor-key swoon of "Blizzard Of '77" and "Neither Heaven Nor Space" to the sleek, bouncy new wave of "Hi-Speed Soul."
    Read full review
  3. Q Magazine
    80
    A more mature mix of intelligent guitar tunes and acoustic noodling. [Oct 2002, p.113]
See all critic reviews »