I'm feeling too sleepy to be articulate (loooooong story), but I have fallen head over heels in love with this album. Great lyrics, super catchy songs, a retro-ish sound.
I think it's good stuff--kind of like IDM meets indie rock. a lot of it is sweet and romantic.
The US Postal Service actually sued the band, and in the settlement the band agreed to play at USPS events in exchange for being able to keep their name. hahaha
If you like this band, check out "Neon Golden" by The Notwist.
I adore this album. I bought it last spring and still listen to it regularly--just listened to it several times the other day, as a matter of fact. I'd highly recommend buying Give Up, but be warned. If you buy Give Up, you may end up needing to buy lots of Death Cab for Cutie albums too (the singer's other band). They're fantastic as well.
I love the postal service, can't wait for the new cd in 2005... Ben Gibbard is a genius, and i agree with the above about Death Cab -- they are amazing.
and another fun fact: the lady singer in The Postal Service is Jenny Lewis, lead singer of Rilo Kiley (if you haven't heard of them check out the album Execution of All Things)
I actually just picked this up today, and it is really good. The music has this atmospheric tempo to it, as someone else said, and the singer's voice goes so well with it.