Disco de Nada Surf: “Let Go [Bonus Tracks]”

2001 and 2002 partly gave it's life to the then "Up-and coming" nu-metal genre, while the latter half of 2002 was reserved for the NY-sludge-garage-punk of the White Stripes and the Strokes. 2003 now has seen it's share of bands put out stripped-down Indie outings, like Wilco's "Foxtrot," Stephen Malkmus's "Pig Lib" and even the Jayhawks new "Rainy Day Music." But who is to trust in this resurfacing scene? Should we stay with the more pompous, arrogance of the Vines? Or get sucked into the uneducated political whining of Coldplay? Perhaps this CD will save your musical life....

Nada Surf's "Let Go" cannot be defined (without arguement) in a single genre. It's pop-rock, indie-rock, NY Underground, etc. But one thing is sure... It's good. Really really good. Nada surf shake off it's one-time buzz bin MTV wonder award to join the rest of us on earth and release an album with heart, soul, and unavoidable catchiness. "Blizzard of '77" and "Inside of Love" have enough acoustic charm to blow Ben Harper away, while "Hi-Speed Soul," "Happy Kid" and "The Way You Wear Your Head" are poppy, indie rockers. Nada Surf even tip their hat to former folky great Bob Dylan on "Blonde on Blonde." "Let Go" takes the listener to blistering hights of food storage, bilingual splendor, to a run-in with a pair of LDS missionaries (and the meaning of life), and almost shapes up to be a classic in the meantime. A fantastic album.

Overall: 8 out of 10.

okay, to anyone who wont listen to nada surf because they didnt like "popular", please start listening.

This album is sheer genius. They have really nailed down their songwriting. There are a few pop rocker tracks on the album, but there are also many slower, beautiful tracks. "Blonde on Blonde" is especially great, listening to Bob Dylan while walking in the NYC rain. "Killian's Red," and "Paper Boats" are my personal favorites. But its hard to pick a favorite as the entire album is just perfect. If you loke alot of indie rock, this is a must have. Mojo, the only mag i really trust, set this album in the top 50 of 2002 (European release was last September). It is a REALLY BEAUTIFUL ALBUM. Anyone still comparing them to being a "Son of Weezer" really has to stop now. Unlike Weezer, Nada Surf has grown and moved well beyond the Top 40 persona they once had. If you actually listened to either of their first two albums then you know that that song was really kind of the weakest track they had. Most MTVheads didnt even notice that the song was a sarcastic comment on high school life. Anyway buy this album. You will be pleased.

This album is the example of why "independent" rock is so much better than mainstream. Offer a band a huge record contract, and then force them to write at least one hit, you'll get an album like high/low.

Give the same band full artistic freedom as with an independent label contract, you'll get a beautiful album like this one.

Nada surf should never sign with a major again.

This album is nothing less than a masterpiece. Starting off with the beautiful "Blizzard of 77", it gets clear that Nada Surf can actually write songs when given total artistic freedom. Then you get beautiful tracks like "Fruit Fly" and "Blonde on Blonde" Its even gets more obvious that this isnt just a one day fly.

Im already looking forward to their next album.

I guess you just can't tell which one-hit wonders, long after their day in the sun, will come into their own. Let Go shows beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is more to Nada Surf than their 1996 single "Popular". A LOT more. Let Go is evenly split between low-key songs (like the gorgeous "Blonde on Blonde"), and thrilling rockers (the bouncy, effervescent "Way You Wear Your Head" might be my favorite track). "Hi-Speed Soul", a sort of disco throwback overlaid with modern rock, makes for an amazing centerpiece. Only one song feels like a throwaway--the tepid "La Pour Ca". The record is wistful but invigorating, and as gorgeous as anything I've heard in a while. It's as emotive as anything "emo" without being whiny or pretentious. It's just too bad these guys are out of the spotlight, because they'd easily upstage any popular group that's been making the late-show rounds these days.

LOVE THIS ALBUM! It's intelligent, catchy, and fun. Actually just saw them live and it's refreshing to see a band that has been together longer than a year that can hold their own in front of an crowd. There's a lot of bands that have one hit early on that can't follow it up- but this band can and has. They have paid their dues and it shows especially live! The singles I strongly recommend is "Happy Kid" and "The Way you wear your Head." If you like Jimmy Eat World- this is for you- although Nada Surf was probably around first and lyrically Nada Surf has a little more to say!