Let's face it...if you mention Nada Surf to someone, they are either going to bring up the song "Popular" or say "Nada who?" But you won't find a more consistently good pop album by a group with "Nada" in the name...or any group for that matter. This band is definitely evolving in the right direction. The vocals on several songs are very reminiscent of Semisonic's Dan Wilson and several songs like "Hi-Speed Soul" and the rocking "The Way You Wear Your Head" sound like they could easily fit on an early Semisonic album. But what separates Nada Surf are great songs like "Blizzard of '77" and "Inside of Love." And unlike most bands, Nada Surf saves one of the best for last with "Treading Water", which shifts from straight rock to more introspective, melancholy pop. There are quite a number of ballads on the album that deserve close attention. But the group mixes them up with the more upbeat stuff so that there is never a dull moment. A fine effort that is not to be missed.

Before buying this album I had only heard "Popular," so I was surprised when I started seeing glowing reviews of Nada Surf's latest album all over the place. I was even more (pleasantly) surprised when I heard the album--it's one of those rare ones where every single track hits the sweet spot in one way or another.

The one complaint I have is that the album lacks obvious originality--on Let Go, Nada Surf sometimes sound like "Bends"-era Radiohead, or Elliott Smith or New Order or Coldplay. It may not bring much new to the table, but so what? How dare they operate in existing genres! It's done so well, so confidently, and the songwriting is so strong that this complaint seems superfluous. Nada Surf don't hijack their influences, they suggest them with reverence.

While the production tends to suggest other bands, there is definitely some good craftmanship here, subtle dissonances and restrained ambience. Matthew Caws is a strong singer and the band has good chemistry, which the production is careful to preserve (esp. evident on "Neither Heaven Nor Space," "Happy Kid"). The ballads move at a perfectly hypnotic pace.

The album's biggest strength is its melodies. Every song has a satisfying, catchy melody, and the ballads are simply beautiful ("Killian's Red," "Paper Boats" in particular). Lyrically, Nada Surf are simple but in a subtle and intelligent way, introspective without being mopey. Some people might be quick to complain about lyrics like "I wanna know what it's like/On the inside of love" but Nada Surf pull it off easily. On that song ("Inside Of Love") they display a reverence for pop, in particular the way a great pop song can make potentially hammy lyrics seem deeper than they should. Most of the lyrics on Let Go aren't that obvious. They reveal new layers with repeated listening, just the right amount of depth.

Overall the album is simply satisfying in a way few pop records are, gently catchy, melancholy but spry, perfect (as others have said) for a rainy day. If you're too cool for pop, you'll probably hate Let Go. Everyone else will hear an album full of songs that stand up to the very best of their genre. Forget about "Popular," people! To hold a grudge over that song would be a big mistake--Nada Surf deserve to be regarded as a serious indie band.

I had never heard of Nada Surf until a good friend suggested I give a listen.

Well, to say I was impressed is an understatement.

If there is one band who encapsulates all of the best qualities of post-grunge it is Nada Surf.

There isn't really one weak song on this collection.

In fact I would say that the description of their music as 'post grunge' is a bit misleading.'Lets Go' is more powerpop than anything else.

The songs themselves are fantastic.If you are looking for a musical comparison ,think of REM around the time of 'Murmur' or Coldplay when they are at their best.

Lead singer Matthew Caws has a very strong voice and it is ideally suited to the powerpop material on this album.At times his voice reminds me so much of another great vocalist : Dan Wilson of Semisonic.

The album opens with the brilliant 'Blizzard Of '77'.This song is a ballad par excellence and contains a simple acoustic guitar and melodic vocals.The point of the whole song is only understood when you hear the emotional line 'I missed you more than I knew' at the very end.Next up is 'The Way You Wear Your Head' which is guitar-driven rock a la REM at their best.

'Fruit Flies' opens very low key but when it gets going, Caws vocals go into overdrive and the song becomes a powerpop masterpiece.

Throughout the rest of the album the songs are all very strong.

The best ones are 'Happy Kid','No Quick Fix' and the New Order-ish 'Hi Speed Soul'.

On the evidence of 'Lets Go' ,Nada Surf have the ability to become really huge.Now lets hope that the radio DJs in the US and other places take note and give them the airplay that they deserve.

'Let Go' sheds Nada Surf's nerd-rock image and transforms them into truly talented songwriters. The album isn't without some flaws, Happy Kid, Blizzard of '77, and Fruit Fly all harken back to their 'Popular' days. Truly great ballads are intermixed with some great up-tempo songs. Also lost was a lot of their tongue-in-cheek humor that is great the first time but makes for a short shelf-life. It's been replaced by truly vulnerable lyrics about love, relationships, and life. Standout tracks include Blonde on Blonde, Inside of Love, Paper Boats, Neither Heaven nor Space, and my favorite: Killians Red. Buy this album now, it will not disappoint.

Most people hardly know Nada Surf, and those that do only remember "Popular". That's all I knew! Until, I heard "Inside of Love" on a college radio station. I immediately ran out and bought the CD and it's been in my regular rotation since then...that was 4 months ago. The album is full of great melodies and vocal harmonies as well as just darn good songwriting. The production value on this record is great, similar to the Proximity Effect, in which, I could say this is a great progression for these guys. You can tell the maturity in their song writing and that their vision is beyond puberty. Highlights include Inside of Love, Killian's Red, The Way You Wear You Head, Blonde on Blonde...but it doesn't matter. The whole album is stellar. Buy it!