User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
The Weight Is A Gift Image
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 30 Ratings

  • Summary: Death Cab For Cutie's Chris Walla returns as producer for the band's followup to 'Let Go.'

Top Track

Always Love
To make a mountain of your life Is just a choice But I never learned enough To listen to the voice that told me Always love Hate will get you every... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 24
  2. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. The Weight Is a Gift is Nada Surf's most honest and earnest record to date.
  2. Uncut
    80
    Rammed with stinging hooks and ringing harmonies. [Oct 2005, p.112]
  3. Thankfully, the band's most endearing facets remain firmly intact -- namely, their timeless nature and complete disregard for the current musical zeitgeist.
  4. Paste Magazine
    70
    A worthy sequel to the pure pop bliss of 2002's Let Go. [Oct/Nov 2005, p.125]
  5. Under The Radar
    70
    Decidedly upbeat, and if it's not exactly littered with a plethora of outstanding tracks like its predecessor, it makes up for it in spirit. [#10, p.107]
  6. The whole affair is polished to such mirror-like perfection that I have to dim all the lights and cover my eyes when I listen to it.
  7. Q Magazine
    40
    Sadly, bland harmonies and bloodless production blunt the impact. [Oct 2005, p.117]

See all 24 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 23
  2. Negative: 2 out of 23
  1. 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 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? Expand
  2. matthew*
    Sep 21, 2005
    10
    Another solid Indie/Pop Masterpiece from one of the most underappreciated bands of our generation.
  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. PhilpR
    Sep 22, 2005
    8
    A really good record. A mature & original & very very intelligent pop group.
  5. 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 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. Expand
  6. 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. 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. Expand
  7. 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 trackWhat 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! Expand

See all 23 User Reviews