Search - Days of the New :: Definitive Collection

Acoustic Impeccability

Frigid Fury | Land of Ice and Snow | 04/28/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I liked Days of the New since first hearing "Enemy" back in 2000 (thats when I first heard it anyway). But I never really delved into their music, as much as now I wish I had then, if that makes any sense. I dont remember being as much an acoustic fan at that time as I was a metal snob. I still love metal but have realized what I was missing, and none too soon, though I always say its right on time.



Travis Meeks is brilliant and the band is so tight and talented I cant believe I wasnt forced by one of my more open minded musical enthusiast friends to listen to them. I can play this CD from start to finish but often play "The Real" , "Enemy" , which I dont like as much as the album version until the acoustic guitar solo at the end. I will play that solo over and over while in the car. Its beauty complimented by the hills I drive through. "Dirty Road" is by far my favorite. I can play that one so many times I loose track but It is as if I live that song every day so it never gets old.



This review is personal and does not compare the magnum opus of this great band. I will leave that to others. For me the attraction is intimate and strong. I am gald to have finally discoverd, for myself, this increidble band and yes it is far into their career, but for me its right on time."

Great tunes; "easy" song choices

Joshua Chandler | Springfield, MO USA | 04/04/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I can really appreciate seeing Days of the New move back into the sphere of active bands, following Travis Meeks' recent recovery from his drug addicition and subsequent, better-than-ever revival tours. Meeks' release of an "official bootleg" was one example of the band's movement back into the daylight, and a good sign that there is still plenty of fire left in Meeks to fuel his poetic genius.



This CD is a nice tribute to a band that's almost entirely been put back together, and surely any sampling of the three-album span of material would be pleasant enough, as I can't think of a Days of the New song that I don't like. However, the compilers of this disc went to little trouble to offer an interesting listen that reopened the interpretation of the music. That is, a lot of the tracks are chosen in order, straight off of their respective albums. I find this a bit unnerving--but why? Days of the New are a band full of deep content, and to cut-and-paste their music into a new collection in snippets really muddies the vision of Meeks and his collaborators.



My favorite example of this comes in tracks 7-11, which are a direct cut-and-paste, minus one instrumental segue track, from the Green Album (officially Days of the New II). The Green Album is by far my favorite Days of the New studio masterpiece, loaded with meaningful content that makes the most sense as a whole. To not, then, juxtapose or arrange the selected tracks from the album differently jeopardizes the music and the message by presenting a half-image, then moving on to another.



Essentially, my complaint is that this was pieced together without much originality. Is it still good music? Yes. To the uninitiated, my complaint probably won't even register. If you have heard Days of the New and are intrigued, check it out; better yet, go grab the Yellow, Green, and Red albums that prop up this compilation.



On the plus side, the liner notes do allude to the release of the forthcoming Purple Album. Check out the 1-panel gallery of album art, and you will notice a blank purple box finishes the lineup."

Good Compilation

Deborah A. Woehr | San Jose, CA USA | 10/16/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've liked Days of the New since I heard their hit songs "Shelf in the Room" and "Downtown." If you've never heard/listened to this band, this compilation will provide you with their best music. What I find interesting is how the record producer arranged the listing of each song, from the first hit album to the last. Fans of Days might find this album a waste of money if they already have every album. But if you want all of your favorite songs on one handy CD, it's worth the money."