Even though Nada Surf first rose to the surface back in ’96 with their one-off buzz-worthy hit “Popular,” I never really got into their upbeat alterna-pop goodness until ’03 when a good friend passed along a copy to me of Let Go. Since then, I’ve been a total sucker for their signature melodic, quick tempo love songs. I’ve been aching to check the trio live for the past couple years since they’ve been touring ‘05’s Weight is a Gift. I missed them a few months back when they played double sets at Schuba’s and then again this past March at SXSW. I was not about to let them pass me by again—so I was stoked to hear they were hitting up my hood again in April.

As soon as I entered the sold out set at the Metro this past Friday evening, I could tell this was going to be a more intimate and uplifting set than what I’ve been accustomed to as of late. The general vibe of the audience was that of excitement and anticipation—instead of drunkards silently pushing past me on their way to the bar, I was encountered with politeness and smiles and even “Please Excuse Me’s”; the crowd seemed to be happy in unison, sharing the positive vibes amongst one another versus the typical “I’m too coolness” of indie snobs.

As soon as Matthew Caws and clan took to the stage, the house erupted in encouragement and applause. Opening up with The Weight is a Gift’s “Concrete Bed,” I knew it was going to be a good set. Despite some almost immediate sound snafus, Caws kept up a cheery mood with crowd banter, commenting that they’ve played in Chicago so much that it felt like home. And even though there seemed to be some “low-end feedback freaky like thing,” they were going to keep on going and “Like an Etch-a-Sketch, just shake the show.”

And shake the show, they did. The trio then proceeded to play various tracks from their February release Lucky including “Whose Authority,” “Weightless,” I Like What You Say,” Ice on the Wing,” “Beautiful Beat” and my fave, “See These Bones.” Along with the newer material, NS included several older favorites from Let/Go, The Weight is a Gift and even 96’s debut High Low.

Some stand out moments included the crowd participating “Inside of Love,” in which Caws encouraged” some sort of Mo-town two step” and hand waving, the crowd assisted “Weightless,” and the irresistible oldie but goodie “Stalemate.” I also have to say that Caws looked particularly adorable during the Fox News inspired track “Fox,” in which he proudly sported a ridiculous stuffed animal fox head hat; and he won the crowd even further with the closing encore of “Blankest Year,” which was complete once again with plenty of crowd contributed, “Aww–fuck it’s.” A particularly nice touch was the addition of Calexico’s Martin Wenk, who threw in some refreshing trumpet action into various tracks including said encore.

Thanks to our friends at Barsuk and the Metro for making this evening an enjoyably upbeat time. If only all shows could be as easy going and happy go lucky as Nada Surf . . .

Myspace: Nada Surf