{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}} {{Infobox album | name = In the Valley of Dying Stars | type = studio | artist = Superdrag | cover = Superdrag-Dying_Stars.jpg | alt = | released = {{start date|2000|10|17}} <small>(US)</small><br />April, 2001 <small>(Japan)</small> | recorded = | venue = | studio = *Woodland (Nashville, Tennessee) *Stealth Studios (Knoxville, Tennessee) | genre = Rock | length = {{Duration|m=46|s=21}} | label = Arena Rock | producer = Nick Raskulinecz and Superdrag | prev_title = Señorita EP | prev_year = 1999 | next_title = The Rock Soldier CD | next_year = 2000 }} {{Music ratings | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web |title=AllMusic Review by Josh Modell |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/in-the-valley-of-dying-stars-mw0000101369 |website=AllMusic |access-date=30 March 2021}}</ref> | rev2 = ''The Encyclopedia of Popular Music'' | rev2score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="CL">{{cite book |last1=Larkin |first1=Colin |title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |date=2006 |publisher=MUZE |volume=7 |page=854}}</ref> | rev3=''Pitchfork'' | rev3Score=5.3/10<ref>{{cite web |title=Superdrag In the Valley of Dying Stars |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/7622-in-the-valley-of-dying-stars/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=30 March 2021}}</ref> }} '''''In the Valley of Dying Stars''''' is the third album by Superdrag, released by Arena Rock Recording Co. in 2000.<ref>{{cite web |title=TRUE BELIEVERS: AN ORAL HISTORY OF SUPERDRAG’S "IN THE VALLEY OF DYING STARS" |url=https://magnetmagazine.com/2020/10/16/true-believers-an-oral-history-of-superdrags-in-the-valley-of-dying-stars/ |website=Magnet |access-date=30 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kellner |first1=Jason |title=Live Music |journal=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=2 Aug 2002 |page=H4}}</ref> The Japanese version includes two bonus tracks, "Comfortably Bummed" and "Diane".

==Production== The album was produced by Nick Raskulinecz and the band.<ref name=AM>{{cite web |title=Artist Biography by Darren Paltrowitz |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/superdrag-mn0000751256/biography |website=AllMusic |access-date=30 March 2021}}</ref> It was recorded at Stealth Studios and Woodland Studios, in Tennessee.<ref name=AM/><ref>{{cite web |title=CRITICS' PICK Observe the 25th Birthday of Superdrag’s Regretfully Yours |url=https://local.nashvillescene.com/event/observe-the-25th-birthday-of-superdrags-regretfully-yours |website=Nashville Scene |access-date=30 March 2021}}</ref> Sam Powers plays bass on the album, replacing Tom Pappas.<ref name=CL/>

==Critical reception== The ''Riverfront Times'' wrote that Superdrag's songs "have some lyrical bite but musically are as sweet as (non-boy-band) popular music gets these days."<ref>{{cite web |title=Superdrag, with ASD and Children's Audio |url=https://www.riverfronttimes.com/stlouis/superdrag-with-asd-and-childrens-audio/Content?oid=2473318 |website=Riverfront Times |access-date=30 March 2021}}</ref> ''The Washington Post'' wrote: "This is Superdrag's best album, exuberant pop-rock tempered with a rueful worldview."<ref>{{cite web |title=SUPERDRAG "In the Valley Of Dying Stars" |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2001/03/02/superdrag-in-the-valley-of-dy/1c6abbec-8b2b-4c5b-887b-27e1e90501d9/ |website=The Washington Post |access-date=30 March 2021}}</ref> ''CMJ New Music Monthly'' thought that the band drives the songs "into overdrive, framing ironic shots (largely at the band's former label) in complex, almost Queen-like arrangements."<ref>{{cite journal |title=Reviews |journal=CMJ New Music Monthly |date=Dec 2000 |issue=88 |page=70}}</ref> ''The Boston Globe'' deemed the album "rich, resonant power pop."<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Wolff |first1=Carlo |title=SUPERDRAG IN THE VALLEY OF DYING STARS ARENA ROCK |journal=The Boston Globe |date=26 Oct 2000 |page=8}}</ref> The ''Tallahassee Democrat'' called it "a gorgeous example of the new pop sensibility, tough and tight and brimming with brilliant hooks."<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Schardl |first1=Kati |title=Bright pop pavilions |journal=Tallahassee Democrat |date=22 June 2001 |page=D12}}</ref>

==Track listing== All songs written by John Davis. #"Keep It Close to Me" - 3:50 #"Gimme Animosity" - 3:23 #"Baby's Waiting" - 3:08 #"Goin' Out" - 3:51 #"Lighting the Way" - 3:27 #"The Warmth of a Tomb" - 5:54 #"Bright Pavilions" - 4:56 #"Ambulance Driver" - 4:00 #"Unprepared" - 3:32 #"Some Kind of Tragedy" - 3:16 #"True Believer" - 3:08 #"In the Valley of Dying Stars" - 3:56

===Japan bonus tracks=== #<li value=13>"Comfortably Bummed" #"Diane"

==Personnel== *John Davis – vocals, guitars, piano, organ, bass (except on tracks 1, 4, 11, and 12) *Brandon Fisher – guitars *Sam Powers – bass (on tracks 1, 4, 11, and 12), vocals *Don Coffey Jr. – drums

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[http://www.arenarock.com Arena Rock Recording Co.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020200042/http://arenarock.com/ |date=2007-10-20 }} *[http://www.superdrag.com Superdrag's official web site] *[https://steelopus.bandcamp.com/album/a-tribute-to-superdrags-in-the-valley-of-dying-stars Steve Lopez presents... a tribute to Superdrag's In the Valley of Dying Stars]

{{Superdrag}}

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Category:Superdrag albums Category:2000 albums Category:Arena Rock Recording Company albums Category:Albums produced by Nick Raskulinecz