Album: “The Weight Is a Gift”

Description

Composers: Caws; Elliot; Lorca . <p>Personnel: Phil Wandscher (guitar); Chris (guitars); Rachel Bowman (cello); Kenneth Earl Jankowski Jr. (horns); Joe, Louie (keyboards); Coralie Clement, Sean Nelson, Lianne Smith, John Roderick (background vocals). <p>Recording information: Tiny Telephone, San Francisco, California (2005). <p>Though it was poised for major-label alt-rock greatness in the late 1990s before being derailed by a novelty hit, Nada Surf truly hit a creative stride after signing to Barsuk Records in the early 2000s. Co-produced by Death Cab for Cutie's Chris Walla, THE WEIGHT IS A GIFT (2005) shows that indie status suits this Brooklyn trio just fine, as the band runs through an impressive set of highly melodic guitar-driven songs. <p>Nada Surf have always had a knack for mixing up speeds within the construct of basic indie rock, and its fourth record is no exception. The trio opens with the breezy power pop of "Concrete Bed," creates one of the more sincere and sweet power ballads with "Always Love," and ends on the Guided By Voices-conjuring "Imaginary Friends." As usual, Caws's earnest vocals have just the slightest element of the off-kilter, lending a keenly personal aura that hangs gently over this appealing record.