The Proximity Effect (Nada Surf album)

Recording

Frontman Matthew Caws attributed the quality of the album production to the band having been dropped by their label, Elektra Records. Finding no radio-friendly single on this album, Elektra asked the band to write a hit, and had them record covers of other artists, trying to push Why Are You So Mean To Me? as the first single. The band refused and, after its release in Europe in September 1998, the band did a 30-show tour in France in early 1999, and Elektra later dropped the band, not releasing it in America (while a few promotional copies had already been pressed). The band eventually released the album in the United States under their own homegrown label, MarDev Records (named after Caws' grandmother), in August 2000.

Release

The album was met with moderate commercial success and favorable reviews.

Details

The song, "Hyperspace", was featured in the film, My Bloody Valentine 3-D.

The album's re-issue has the last 2 tracks take the place of both covers found on the original release.

Track listing (2000 re-issue)

1. "Hyperspace"
2. "Amateur"
3. "80 Windows"
4. "Mother's Day"
5. "Troublemaker"
6. "Bacardi"
7. "Bad Best Friend"
8. "Dispossession"
9. "The Voices"
10. "Firecracker"
11. "Slow Down"
12. "Robot"
13. "Silent Fighting" (Bonus Track)
14. "Spooky" (Bonus Track)

Track listing (1998 original release, Europe)

1. "Hyperspace"
2. "Amateur"
3. "Why Are You So Mean to Me?" (Vitreous Humor cover)
4. "Mother's Day"
5. "Troublemaker"
6. "80 Windows"
7. "Bacardi"
8. "Bad Best Friend"
9. "Dispossession"
10. "The Voices"
11. "Firecracker"
12. "Slow Down"
13. "Robot"
14. "Black and White" (dBs cover on a promotional bonus disc)
15. "Spooky" (promotional bonus disc)