High/Low (album)

High/Low is the debut studio album by the American band Nada Surf, released in 1996.^[2][3] It contains the hit single "Popular".^[4] High/Low was produced by Ric Ocasek.^[5] Nada Surf supported it by touring with Superdrag and the Gravel Pit.^[6]

High/Low
Studio album by Nada Surf
Released	June 18, 1996[1]
Recorded	December 1–20, 1995
Studio	Electric Lady, New York City
Genre	Alternative rock, power pop
Length	36:31
Label	Elektra
Producer	Ric Ocasek
Nada Surf chronology
High/Low (1996) The Proximity Effect (1998)

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[7]
Chicago Tribune	[8]
Christgau's Consumer Guide	[9]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music	[10]
Entertainment Weekly	B−[11]
Pitchfork	7.4/10[12]

The Baltimore Sun noted that "there's an almost elegant austerity to the album's sound, but what ultimately brings the songs into focus is the band's ultra-efficient playing, which is so sparing you'd think the recording studio charged them by the note."^[13] The Ottawa Citizen concluded that Nada Surf "may have been moulded by a superior studio presence, but the root of their sound, guitar-driven and heavy on the backbeat, speaks of an energy that was harnessed and focused, not manufactured."^[14]

Track listing

All tracks written by Matthew Caws and Daniel Lorca, except where noted.

1. "Deeper Well" – 3:55 - written by Caws, Lorca and Robert Randall
2. "The Plan" – 4:31
3. "Popular" – 3:48 - written by Caws, Lorca and Gloria Winters
4. "Sleep" – 3:47
5. "Stalemate" – 3:38
6. "Treehouse" – 2:43
7. "Icebox" – 3:17
8. "Psychic Caramel" – 4:00
9. "Hollywood" – 2:20
10. "Zen Brain" – 4:28

Personnel

Nada Surf

• Matthew Caws – guitar, vocals
• Daniel Lorca – bass
• Ira Elliot – drums

Production

• Bruce Calder – engineer, mixer
• George Marino – mastering
• Ric Ocasek – producer
• Andy Salas – assistant engineer

Charts

Album

Year	Chart	Peak position
1996	Billboard 200[15]	63

Singles

Year	Song	Chart	Position
1996	"Popular"	Billboard Modern Rock Tracks[16]	11