Days of the New (1997 album)


Days of the New is the debut album of alternative rock band Days of the New, and the first of their three self-titled albums. The album was released in 1997 through Outpost Records.

Production

The band recorded its debut album in October and November 1996 at Woodland Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. Drummer Matt Taul was called away from the studio during the sessions for the birth of his daughter, so session drummer Adam Turgeon filled in on some tracks.
Travis Meeks named Dead Can Dance as an inspiration while working on the album.
The last song on the album, "Cling" is actually a home demo that Meeks recorded on a four-track machine. The entire album is acoustic, with emphasis on guitar, and features dark melodies such as "Face of the Earth" and "Freak" as well as more upbeat songs like "The Down Town" and "Where I Stand."

Promotion

Days of the New was a success, selling 1.5 million copies worldwide. Three songs from the album were hits: "Touch, Peel and Stand," "The Down Town," and "Shelf in the Room." "Touch, Peel and Stand" was number one on Billboard's Rock Chart for 17 weeks; "The Down Town" and "Shelf in the Room" were each top 40 hits. Music videos produced for the three singles also found rotation.
Shortly after releasing the album, the band went on tour with Metallica and Jerry Cantrell in 1998. Internal problems became publicly evident, however, and soon after concluding the tour, the band split up. Todd Whitener, Matt Taul and Jesse Vest would go on to form Tantric while Meeks formed a new band under the Days of the New name.

Critical reception

Reviewing for The Village Voice in December 1997, Robert Christgau was unenthusiastic about the album: "As marketing, pure genius. Looks like alt-country, no electric guitars even, yet is actually America's answer to Silverchair. And hey, it's sincere—17-year-old heartland frontman Travis Meeks really is depressed, really has immersed in Soundgarden, really does think it's deep to hook your single to the all-purpose trope 'abuse.' This is why grownups need Hanson. It's also why they need Radish."

Track listing

  1. "Independent Slaves" - Appears on the Touch, Peel and Stand single and on the soundtrack
  2. "Got to Be You" - Appears on the Touch, Peel and Stand single and on 2 Guitars, Bass & Drums: Songs For Survival
  3. "Special Guide" - Appears on the Shelf In The Room single
  4. "Seasons Change" - Appears on the Half Baked soundtrack
  5. "Two Faces" - Appears on the Varsity Blues soundtrack
  6. "Running Knees" - Appears on the Godzilla soundtrack

    Personnel

Adapted credits from the Days of the New booklet. Drum credits as per Meeks' official biography.
;Days of the New
;Additional musicians
;Artwork
;Production
;Album
YearChartPosition
1997Top Heatseekers Charts1
1997US Billboard 20040
1998Australian Albums Chart47
1998New Zealand Albums Chart1

;Singles
YearSongChartPosition
1997"Touch, Peel and Stand"US Mainstream Rock Tracks1
1997"Touch, Peel and Stand"US Modern Rock Tracks6
1998"Shelf in the Room"US Mainstream Rock Tracks3
1998"Shelf in the Room"US Modern Rock Tracks22
1998"The Down Town"US Mainstream Rock Tracks1
1998"The Down Town"US Modern Rock Tracks19

Certifications

''Days of the New: Live''

On December 1, 1998, Outpost released Days of the New: Live, a VHS featuring concert footage and two music videos. The video includes numerous songs that would be released on future Days of the New albums.

Track listing

  1. Fighting with Clay
  2. Freak
  3. Best in Life
  4. Shelf in the Room
  5. The Character/The Threat
  6. Face of the Earth
  7. Special Guide
  8. How Do You Know You?
  9. Touch, Peel and Stand
  10. Bring Yourself
  11. The Down Town
  12. Touch, Peel and Stand
  13. Shelf in the Room