The Weight Is A Gift
by Nada Surf
  • Record Label: Barsuk
  • Release Date: Sep 13, 2005
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 30 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 30
  3. Negative: 2 out of 30

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  1. tommgy711
    Nov 20, 2019
    0
    What can I say? I discovered this album this year (thanks KEXP!) and it's been in heavy rotation in our house for about 6 months. Each track is wonderful it its own way, and as an album, it really flows where you want to listen begin to end. 'What is Your Secret', and 'Do It Again' are favorites this week. A 2005 album on our Best of 2019 list!
  2. GregH
    Feb 3, 2006
    8
    Another good one here by a great band that somehow still remains (for better or worse) under the radar. Catchy, simple, and honest. great use of language here too. As a complete work, it is not as strong as Let Go, but, song to song, still makes for a great listening experience.
  3. MichelleG
    Jan 31, 2006
    9
    This cd is really good even though I still think that Let Go is better....you have to get used to the lyrics, but after you do its pretty catchy.
  4. adils
    Jan 11, 2006
    7
    This is not as sweet as Let Go but it's still pretty good. Unlike Let Go which instantly catches you, this grows on you gradually. It's worth a listen. Overall I think Nada Surf are a pretty solid band, very enjoyable live, too.
  5. JKM
    Nov 9, 2005
    2
    This album is sooo blah. This is not indie rock (as I was expecting)... this is a collection of very average, 90s alternative pop radio songs... think Goo Goo Dolls meet Semisonic. Yuck! Nothing interesting happens on this album. Your Legs Grow is okay.. but. nothing else on this album sticks out to me. I'm extremely dissapointed that I put out $10 for this one. This is the first This album is sooo blah. This is not indie rock (as I was expecting)... this is a collection of very average, 90s alternative pop radio songs... think Goo Goo Dolls meet Semisonic. Yuck! Nothing interesting happens on this album. Your Legs Grow is okay.. but. nothing else on this album sticks out to me. I'm extremely dissapointed that I put out $10 for this one. This is the first time I've been this dissapointed with a music purchase in a long time - and I buy a lot of music. Oh well. Save your money for something with some substance. This release has none.… Expand
  6. JohnD
    Nov 4, 2005
    7
    Not as good as Let Go, but certainly a valued release. It's an album that better every time you listen and is quite enjoyable, but doesn't have the feel of the band's best stuff. Still, it's worth getting.
  7. Sven
    Oct 24, 2005
    5
    Neither great nor horrible, just....blah. I was lucky enough to rediscover Nada Surf with "Let Go" in 03, and still think it's a solid, diverse album. I was really looking forward to Weight, but it just isn't grabbing me like Let Go. Most of the songs are mid-tempo, indistinguishable pop-rockers. I was really hoping for more melancholy...like Blizzard of 77 and Blonde on Blonde. Neither great nor horrible, just....blah. I was lucky enough to rediscover Nada Surf with "Let Go" in 03, and still think it's a solid, diverse album. I was really looking forward to Weight, but it just isn't grabbing me like Let Go. Most of the songs are mid-tempo, indistinguishable pop-rockers. I was really hoping for more melancholy...like Blizzard of 77 and Blonde on Blonde. Only "Comes a Time" is on my ipod now. Too bad...… Expand
  8. AllisonL
    Oct 23, 2005
    9
    You can hear the beach and summer in Nada Surf's music. A thoroughly enjoyable listen.
  9. CarolynW
    Oct 19, 2005
    10
    This album, like its predcsessors, shows music doesn't have to be complicated to prove its worth. This Weight is a Gift gives fans hope for more beautiful indie records of similar imprtance. Nada Surf is, in my mind, THE indie rock band. Yes, 'tis a biased opinion, but whose isn't?
  10. Mack
    Oct 12, 2005
    6
    I hate to bash these guys, afterall, they're certainly heads and shoulders above the typical radio fare, but unfortunately this album just doesn't measure up. Their previous release, 2003's Let Go, was a far superior album on every level. This time out, the lyrics are absolutely terrible, except for the first track, which is the one bright spot here. The harmonies on "Do it I hate to bash these guys, afterall, they're certainly heads and shoulders above the typical radio fare, but unfortunately this album just doesn't measure up. Their previous release, 2003's Let Go, was a far superior album on every level. This time out, the lyrics are absolutely terrible, except for the first track, which is the one bright spot here. The harmonies on "Do it Again" are grating and quite irritating, and the more 'rock' moments like "Armies Walk" and "Imaginary Friends" sound like second-rate Foo Fighters (not a good thing). Where's the acoustic moments like "Blizzard of '77" or "Fruit Fly"? Where's the creativity? This album blurs together as one mid-tempo unaffecting, mediocre, not-so-indie, pop-rock song. It does deserve a 6, however, because of "Concrete Bed" and "All Is a Game" - they are about the only bright spots here. Let's hope they Let Go of the faux-rock riffage next time around and write some truly heartfelt and meaningful songs. They built up terribly high expectations with their last album, and next to it, this one feels like a lifeless dud. Dissapointing, but at least a few tracks are "ipod worthy".… Expand
  11. JasonI
    Oct 10, 2005
    7
    Worth buying, and after a few listens grows on you, but it just doesn't measure up to Let Go.
  12. HiralP
    Oct 8, 2005
    8
    More of a pop flavor--but is still a pleasure a to listen to from beginning to end.
  13. Gazcomsat
    Oct 6, 2005
    9
    Although very different to 'Let Go' the new album is not necessarily inferior. The songs are melodic and full of nice harmonies but lacks the edginess of their previous offering. The album reminds me very much of The Charlatans 'Up at the Lake' album which in itself is no bad thing.
  14. DavidG
    Oct 3, 2005
    9
    Not as good as thier previous album (which is worth a 10) but pretty similar style. Reminds me Semisonic. Great album.....(got to listen to it a couple times, it will grow on you !) David
  15. BenA
    Sep 25, 2005
    10
    Dope as hell. Outstanding little pop gems, short and sweet.
  16. PhilpR
    Sep 22, 2005
    8
    A really good record. A mature & original & very very intelligent pop group.
  17. BradL
    Sep 22, 2005
    8
    Great album but leaves less of an impact than Let Go. I feel like I really have to crank it up to get into the songs, it fades to the background a bit too easily.
  18. justin
    Sep 21, 2005
    9
    I recently discovered Let Go and went out and bought The Weight is a Gift right away when it came out. I have a feeling this album is going to grow on me as much as Let Go has. Not perfect, but definitely noteworthy.
  19. matthew*
    Sep 21, 2005
    10
    Another solid Indie/Pop Masterpiece from one of the most underappreciated bands of our generation.
  20. StanleyS
    Sep 21, 2005
    7
    Solid follow-up to their amazing Let Go album. The 2nd half of this disc is clearly weaker than the first six tracks, however.
  21. JohnS
    Sep 20, 2005
    9
    Yeah, this album is real good. It's kinda like when you shopping at DSW for some sneakers and there is guy with really bad teeth and he's looking at you for no good reason. Your like DUDE! Come ON! I'm trying to buy some sneakers! Give me a break!
  22. MarkM
    Sep 20, 2005
    10
    You know it's cool if you like Nada Surf...if that's your thing. No politics man just music, in fact kept the politics and grandstanding at home. I don't wanna hear it.
  23. AndrewM
    Sep 20, 2005
    9
    good. really good.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Rolling Stone
    70
    Like their last album, 2003's Let Go, The Weight Is a Gift is a top-notch collection of sad-eyed guitar ballads.
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  2. AllMusic
    90
    The Weight Is a Gift is Nada Surf's most honest and earnest record to date.
    Read full review
  3. Alternative Press
    90
    A nearly flawless album full of rocking pop songs that sound instantly timeless. [Oct 2005, p.156]
See all critic reviews »