The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy

Nada Surf | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 24, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2012
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Barsuk
• ASIN: B006DICWUE
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #865 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

''Did you ever, as a kid, want to crawl into the speakers?'' asks Nada Surf singer-guitarist Matthew Caws. ''I did--here was OK, but there was much better.'' And that's pretty much what Nada Surf is all about--Caws, bassist Daniel Lorca, and drummer Ira Elliot are in love with the way rock music can transport you to a new and wonderful place in a beguiling rush of beats, chords, hooks and words. And they do it 10 times over on their brilliant sixth album, The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy. Before, Nada Surf albums simply took on the character of the songs that the band came up with at the time. This one was different--there was a plan. ''We've always played faster and a little harder live,'' Caws says, ''but we'd play so carefully in the studio. So with this album, we made a conscious decision to preserve what it felt like in the practice room, when you play with that new-song energy. Just embrace it and not worry whether we're overdoing it, kind of get all the thinking out of the way.'' Chris Shaw came in to record and produce. Shaw, who's made records with the likes of Bob Dylan, Super Furry Animals and Wilco had mixed Nada Surf's indie hit ''Always Love,'' impressing the band with his quick and expert work, not to mention his sense of humor. A few years ago, Caws met guitarist Doug Gillard (Guided by Voices, Death of Samantha) one night at a show, when the latter ambled over to him and offered to ''lay down some James Honeyman-Scott licks'' next time they recorded. Since then Gillard has became such an integral part of the band's sound that they invited him to play on Stars, too. The Stars has a somewhat more optimistic, more outward-looking tone than previous Nada Surf albums. On the yearning ''Waiting for Something,'' Caws sings, ''This new peace/ I can feel it now,'' and that serenity--and not anger--is actually what fueled the music's extra kick. The album springs from the notion of music as an alternative reality, and songs as things you can keep by your side for inspiration and support. Which is what makes Nada Surf a truly beloved band.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely catchy! Upbeat! Well-crafted!, January 24, 2012

By 

Paradox (Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy (Audio CD)

As a long-time Nada Surf fan, I would say this is the perfect album at the perfect time.

"Clear Eye Clouded Mind" is a driving opening song that evokes the sound of "Do it Again" or "Concrete Bed," but is more upbeat and fast-paced -- and modern. Here we find the title of the album ("The stars are indifferent to astronomy") in a declaration of the ultimate expression of individuality. This song could be an anthem for anyone swimming against the mainstream. Not full of angst. Full of affirmation.

"Waiting for Something" could be the catchiest "ditty" on the album. "When I was Young" has been available for some time as a free download so many fans have heard it, of course. It is one of the more atmospheric tracks, and a solid entry. This, along with "Let The Fight do the Fighting" are two of the slower, more pensive songs. The latter, by the way, was the track a friend who is not familiar with Nada Surf singled out as a favorite after listening. That brings me to the point that this album is a GREAT gateway into the Nada Surf sound for friends who haven't been around for the duration. Throw it on the car stereo during 38 minute drive, and I guarantee your passengers will ask, "Who is this?!"

"Jules and Jim" and "The Moon is Calling" are both solid, fresh tracks that ensue the middle of the album isn't "filler" (Nada Surf doesn't make "filler"). Like so many other Nada Surf songs, these two will have you emulating Matthew's harmonic vocals (good luck!). "The Moon is Calling" reaches for a few more beautiful, lifting crescendos, while "Jules and Jim" has a paced, tip-toe approach to some of the loftier moments in the song.

"Teenage Dreams" is a marching manifesto of following your dreams. Its power is sublime.

"Looking Through" -- am I about to say it again? -- is catchy as hell! ("Are you dancing? Are you dancing at all~l~l?") Upbeat and airy, somewhat akin to "The Way You Wear Your Head".

"No Snow on the Mountain" will have your feet tapping the beat within ten seconds. And just when you think it has settled in, here come Matthew's lifting vocals, a slight variation in the timing, and just another memorable Nada Surf tune that finds it way into your head and heart.

The album ends with "The Future," which I personally think is the ONLY even marginally weak song on the album. It's fast and it's fine, but it seems a little hollow for what we expect from a band as introspective and full of wonder as Nada Surf. It's not a bad track -- it just has a lofty bar to meet, and I think it may fall just short of the rest of the album.

Bottom line: If you only like certain Nada Surf moments in time ("Inside of Love," "See These Bones," "Always Love") you won't find that dark, churning sound on this album. Like I said, it is more affirmative than any full album we've seen from Nada Surf. But if you are a newcomer, this album is the one to let you experience a series of crisp, fresh tracks and begin to appreciate all of the dimensions that Nada Surf encompass. Finally, if you are a fan who likes virtually every song they have recorded, you will find more than a handful of new treasures here. "The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy" is Nada Surf's most approachable, upbeat, lively album, and needs to be played for all your friends!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best bands in the world gets even better, February 2, 2012

By 

Chris Church - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy (Audio CD)

With the addition of veteran guitarist Doug Gillard [Guided By Voices, Cobra Verde], NADA SURF have approximated the thicker, more aggressive live sound they have seldom captured on record. Not that there have been problems with any of their records since the 2nd one [the debut, by their own admission, was not quite the band they have become]...but this one absolutely sizzles. The wonderful, bittersweet wordplay {"I am lost in my mind when you go to sleep"} always manages to capture the exact mood of their heady, melodic pop-rock. This one is most comparable to "Let Go", but maybe even more upbeat. The only drawback [for me] is the relatively short running time of just over 38 minutes...but, like the adage suggests, they definitely left me wanting more. Hats off to Matthew and the boys.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More of the Same Good Thing, January 24, 2012

By 

armenianthunder (los angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy (Audio CD)

On this, their sixth album, Nada Surf don't redefine anything, nor do they go "back to basics," or express any pretension towards being edgy or relevant. What they do is bash out ten good songs that hang together well, that further illustrate their skillful blend of catchy indie-rock with ridiculously un-cynical lyrics. It's definitely a practice-room record, evident from the opening crash of "Clear Eye Clouded Mind," and the generally effortless but decidedly uptempo rush through the rest of the album, through to the dizzying coda of "No Snow on the Mountain." "Waiting for Something" is essentially Nada Surf-by-numbers, and a rewrite of "Always Love," but who cares: good tricks bear repeating. The spacey slow burn of "When I was Young," the effervescent janglefest "Jules and Jim," and the earnest "Looking Through" are other highlights. The tempo only slows for "Let the Fight do the Fighting," a shimmering minor-key gem with a nice trumpet solo and cello that feels like a companion to Lucky's "Are You Lightning?". While it won't make them favorites of the Pitchfork set, but it is perhaps their most overall upbeat and accessible record, even though it doesn't quite scale the peaks from earlier efforts. It's just another Nada Surf record: sometimes that's more than enough, and huzzah for that.