Search - Versus :: Stars Are Insane

The Stars Were In The Right Place.

Lawrence K. Shoemaker | Austin, TX USA! | 10/11/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Every once in a while a band transcends its collective potential. In the three days that Versus recorded The Stars are Insane, way back when, they clicked. The album still stands with an undated quality. Perhaps a better name for this album would be "The Stars are in the Right Place." Versus felt THIS strongly, it seems. For instance, "River," their song about the death of River Phoenix. The anger mixed with a passionate sense of loss shine in the alternating lyrics of Richard and Fontaine. Versus spent time learning the technique of turning heavily distorted guitars into something not grating, but soaring. Evident on "Blades of Grass." Some good touchstones from the period are Yo La Tengo's Painful, or Pavement's Slanted and Enchanted. Emo-pop without the self-loathing, replaced with an anger at the situations that put them there. Years later this album stands as their best work. It earned them a deal with Caroline-the faux indie label that gave us the Smashing Pumpkins-but they were never able to top what they achieved in those three days. Not yet, at least."

One of the best LP's of the 90s

anonymous gesture | atlanta | 11/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"YES to what the reviewer said above. songs like 'circle' and 'mirror mirror' touched down on this otherworldy album and were never really equalled on later versus platters, as good as those were/are. it should be noted that original drummer ed left after this release, and with a 3pc expanding to 4 perhaps the chemistry was altered a bit (they never really returned to the more shoegaze-driven sound of this one). nonetheless this album stands the test of time as a definate keeper. every song is a masterful piece to the dream-like, rewarding puzzle that is 'the stars are insane'. highly recommended for fans of yo la tengo, my bloody valentine, swirlies, pavement, lush, unwound, unrest, th faith healers, sonic youth, etc."

Unmatched

S. F. Dack | 08/23/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"literally one of the best and cohesive indie albums of the 90's. impossibly recorded over 3 days in Philly. Totally perfect. Similar in it's cohesion in a way that Daydream Nation is. A band in total harmony. It also captures a moment in NYC history the same way that Daydream does> This record changed my life at that time. I was obsessed with the underground indie scene at that time, thought of these people as heros going against the mainstream> these ideals I still hold dear in my own work.."