Days of the New II
Encyclopedia
Days of the New is the second self-titled album of Louisville
rock
band Days of the New
. Released on August 31, 1999
, it marks the first album following frontman Travis Meeks
' dismissal of the original backing band and the last under Outpost. While not nearly as commercially successful as its 1997 predecessor, Green acquired stronger appreciation by critics and featured two successful singles.
and Jerry Cantrell
, after much turmoil, the original Days of the New split up. Todd Whitener, Matt Taul, and Jesse Vest would go on to form Tantric
while Meeks carried on the Days of the New name. In February 1999, it was reported that while his ex-bandmates were looking for a new singer, Meeks was finishing up work on a second album tentatively titled Days of the New 2 with an expected release in late spring or early summer that year. He eventually formed a new band lineup and hired an orchestra for his sophomore effort.
In contrast to the debut album, which has a more stripped down acoustic
style, Green incorporates many different elements, namely an orchestra
and female vocals. The darker song writing is also deemphasized in favor of more upbeat melodies as seen in "Flight Response" and "Take Me Back Then." Many of the album's songs contain intros and coda
s to seamlessly carry into the next song. While largely maintaining the acoustic feel of its predecessor (as evidenced by the folk
number "Provider") Green even utilizes electronic percussion
more commonly found in dance club music, particularly in the track "Enemy
." This song, along with "Weapon and the Wound," became the album's radio singles
.
A young Nicole Scherzinger
put her studies at Wright State University
on hold to sing backup vocals for Green. Meeks noted that he wanted a female singer to "deliver some more world/operatic textures and sounds" and that her contributions were not buried in the back but instead featured prominently alongside his. Scherzinger performs on “Flight Response,” “The Real,” “Take Me Back Then,” “Phobics of Tragedy,” “Bring Yourself,” and “Last One.” Meeks claims that after touring for the album, the two grew apart creatively and that despite being an "amazing entertainer," she "didn’t seem to understand music very well."
on October 22; however, Yahoo! Music
stated that same day that touring would run from October 21 in Chattanooga, Tennessee
through November 27 in Louisville, Kentucky. The concerts exhibited "more of a dramatic show" and "more of a choreographed direction" compared to previous Days of the New tours. This included backdrop screen, stage props, and other effects and, in the words of Travis Meeks, wouldn't be "just a rock 'n' roll show" but " more of a sensory-experience thing."
According to Meeks, the band toured for two months in support of Green after which he and Scherzinger had a "small fling." Despite her already having a boyfriend, Meeks admits to having had a crush on her during this period. He later expressed interest in working with her again on his much delayed Days of the New Presents Tree Colors.
Green features two singles. Its lead
, "Enemy
," charted well and gained music video
rotation on MTV
. The track introduced Day of the New's new sound to the mainstream with its unique blend of acoustic and electronic elements. A second single, "Weapon and the Wound," features a somber ballad approach heavily showcasing the clarinet
. It charted at #10 on Mainstream Rock Tracks but did not achieve the success of its predecessor.
gave it a B grade and noted, "Like Roger Waters
, [Meeks] toys with colorful tones and textures and waxes ponderous in a schoolmaster baritone
. Some tracks stumble awkwardly, but inventive oomph pulls this naif through."
Despite better critical reception, Green sold poorly compared to the first album. By October 1999, it had sold only 124,000 copies according to SoundScan. Green would eventually reach around 450,000 copies sold. Only one song, "Enemy", was a major hit, and the second single, a ballad
entitled "Weapon and the Wound," charted reasonably well.
except when noted.
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band Days of the New
Days of the New
Days of the New is an American alternative rock band from Louisville, Kentucky, formed in 1995. The band consists of vocalist/guitarist Travis Meeks and a variety of supporting musicians...
. Released on August 31, 1999
1999 in music
-Events:*January 7**After eight years of marriage, Rod Stewart and supermodel wife Rachel Hunter announce their separation.**Paul McCartney attends the first of his stepdaughter Heather's first housewares collection in Georgia....
, it marks the first album following frontman Travis Meeks
Travis Meeks
Travis Shane Meeks , is an American musician, and is the lead singer, guitarist and song writer for acoustic rock band Days of the New.-Early life and career:...
' dismissal of the original backing band and the last under Outpost. While not nearly as commercially successful as its 1997 predecessor, Green acquired stronger appreciation by critics and featured two successful singles.
Overview
Shortly after finishing their 1998 tour with MetallicaMetallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
and Jerry Cantrell
Jerry Cantrell
Jerry Fulton Cantrell Jr. is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter best known for his work with the grunge/metal band Alice in Chains, as lead guitarist, backing and co-lead vocalist, and co-lyricist. He performs lead vocals on his solo projects, and is part of Alice in Chains' harmonizing...
, after much turmoil, the original Days of the New split up. Todd Whitener, Matt Taul, and Jesse Vest would go on to form Tantric
Tantric (band)
Tantric is a rock band from Louisville, Kentucky. The group has released four studio albums since 2001; although, their last two albums only retain Tantric's original singer, Hugo Ferreira...
while Meeks carried on the Days of the New name. In February 1999, it was reported that while his ex-bandmates were looking for a new singer, Meeks was finishing up work on a second album tentatively titled Days of the New 2 with an expected release in late spring or early summer that year. He eventually formed a new band lineup and hired an orchestra for his sophomore effort.
In contrast to the debut album, which has a more stripped down acoustic
Acoustic guitar
An acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
style, Green incorporates many different elements, namely an orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
and female vocals. The darker song writing is also deemphasized in favor of more upbeat melodies as seen in "Flight Response" and "Take Me Back Then." Many of the album's songs contain intros and coda
Coda (music)
Coda is a term used in music in a number of different senses, primarily to designate a passage that brings a piece to an end. Technically, it is an expanded cadence...
s to seamlessly carry into the next song. While largely maintaining the acoustic feel of its predecessor (as evidenced by the folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
number "Provider") Green even utilizes electronic percussion
Electronic drum
An electronic drum is an electronic synthesizer which mimics an acoustic drum kit.The electronic drum usually consists of a set of pads mounted on a stand in a disposition similar to an acoustic drum kit. The pads are discs with a rubber or cloth-like coating. Each pad has a sensor which generates...
more commonly found in dance club music, particularly in the track "Enemy
Enemy (Days of the New song)
"Enemy" is a song by Days of the New and the lead single from their second eponymous album also known as "Green." The song reached #2 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks in 1999 and #10 on the Modern Rock Tracks the same year, becoming only their second song to hit the Top 10 on this chart...
." This song, along with "Weapon and the Wound," became the album's radio singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
.
A young Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente Scherzinger is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, record producer, model, and actress. Scherzinger is perhaps best known for being the lead vocalist of the Pussycat Dolls....
put her studies at Wright State University
Wright State University
Wright State University is a comprehensive public university with strong doctoral, research, and undergraduate programs, rated among the 260 Best National Universities listed in the annual "America's Best Colleges" rankings by U.S. News and World Report. Wright State is located in Fairborn, Ohio,...
on hold to sing backup vocals for Green. Meeks noted that he wanted a female singer to "deliver some more world/operatic textures and sounds" and that her contributions were not buried in the back but instead featured prominently alongside his. Scherzinger performs on “Flight Response,” “The Real,” “Take Me Back Then,” “Phobics of Tragedy,” “Bring Yourself,” and “Last One.” Meeks claims that after touring for the album, the two grew apart creatively and that despite being an "amazing entertainer," she "didn’t seem to understand music very well."
Touring and promotion
In June 1999, the band was tentatively planned to tour in Europe in September before a lengthy US tour in the summer of 2000, but this did not pan out. Meeks debuted his new seven-member band lineup on September 4, 1999 at the Ear Xtacy store in Louisville. According to Pollstar, the official tour would begin in Pensacola, FloridaPensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
on October 22; however, Yahoo! Music
Yahoo! Music
Yahoo! Music, owned by Yahoo!, is the provider of a variety of music services, including Internet radio, music videos, news, artist information, and original programming...
stated that same day that touring would run from October 21 in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga is the fourth-largest city in the US state of Tennessee , with a population of 169,887. It is the seat of Hamilton County...
through November 27 in Louisville, Kentucky. The concerts exhibited "more of a dramatic show" and "more of a choreographed direction" compared to previous Days of the New tours. This included backdrop screen, stage props, and other effects and, in the words of Travis Meeks, wouldn't be "just a rock 'n' roll show" but " more of a sensory-experience thing."
According to Meeks, the band toured for two months in support of Green after which he and Scherzinger had a "small fling." Despite her already having a boyfriend, Meeks admits to having had a crush on her during this period. He later expressed interest in working with her again on his much delayed Days of the New Presents Tree Colors.
Green features two singles. Its lead
Lead single
A lead single is usually the first single released by a musician or a band before the release of its home album.During the era of the grammophone record, all music arrived in the marketplace as what is now termed a single, one potential hit song backed by an additional song of generally less...
, "Enemy
Enemy (Days of the New song)
"Enemy" is a song by Days of the New and the lead single from their second eponymous album also known as "Green." The song reached #2 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks in 1999 and #10 on the Modern Rock Tracks the same year, becoming only their second song to hit the Top 10 on this chart...
," charted well and gained music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
rotation on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
. The track introduced Day of the New's new sound to the mainstream with its unique blend of acoustic and electronic elements. A second single, "Weapon and the Wound," features a somber ballad approach heavily showcasing the clarinet
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
. It charted at #10 on Mainstream Rock Tracks but did not achieve the success of its predecessor.
Reception
Critics were fairly enthusiastic of Green. Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine named it an AMG Album Pick and praised Meeks' production abilities, calling it a "definite improvement from his debut." Tom Lanham of Entertainment WeeklyEntertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
gave it a B grade and noted, "Like Roger Waters
Roger Waters
George Roger Waters is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. He was a founding member of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, serving as bassist and co-lead vocalist. Following the departure of bandmate Syd Barrett in 1968, Waters became the band's lyricist, principal songwriter...
, [Meeks] toys with colorful tones and textures and waxes ponderous in a schoolmaster baritone
Baritone
Baritone is a type of male singing voice that lies between the bass and tenor voices. It is the most common male voice. Originally from the Greek , meaning deep sounding, music for this voice is typically written in the range from the second F below middle C to the F above middle C Baritone (or...
. Some tracks stumble awkwardly, but inventive oomph pulls this naif through."
Despite better critical reception, Green sold poorly compared to the first album. By October 1999, it had sold only 124,000 copies according to SoundScan. Green would eventually reach around 450,000 copies sold. Only one song, "Enemy", was a major hit, and the second single, a ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
entitled "Weapon and the Wound," charted reasonably well.
Track listing
All songs written by Travis MeeksTravis Meeks
Travis Shane Meeks , is an American musician, and is the lead singer, guitarist and song writer for acoustic rock band Days of the New.-Early life and career:...
except when noted.
- "Flight Response" – 5:55
- "The Real" (Meeks, Todd Whitener) – 4:18
- "EnemyEnemy (Days of the New song)"Enemy" is a song by Days of the New and the lead single from their second eponymous album also known as "Green." The song reached #2 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks in 1999 and #10 on the Modern Rock Tracks the same year, becoming only their second song to hit the Top 10 on this chart...
" – 5:11 - "Weapon & the Wound" – 5:44
- "Skeleton Key" – 3:02
- "Take Me Back Then" – 4:16
- "Bring Yourself" – 5:55
- "I Think" – 5:51
- "Longfellow" – 1:56
- (Untitled) – 1:42
- "Phobics of Tragedy" – 3:26
- "Not the Same" – 4:24
- "Provider" – 5:53
- "Last One" (Meeks, Whitener) – 4:37
B-sides
- "The Sun"
- "Rough Day" - Appears on the Heavy Metal 2000Heavy Metal 2000Heavy Metal 2000 is the 2000 follow-up to the 1981 animated cult film Heavy Metal, based on the fantasy magazine of the same name. The story itself is based on the graphic novel, The Melting Pot, written by Kevin Eastman, Simon Bisley and Eric Talbot...
soundtrack - "Requiem"
Personnel
- Travis Meeks: vocals, guitar, bass, drums
- Clark Hagan: vocalization
- Max Maxwell: drums
- Pete Peterson: arrangements
- Peter Rhee: drums
- Ray Rizzo: percussion
- Nicole ScherzingerNicole ScherzingerNicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente Scherzinger is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, record producer, model, and actress. Scherzinger is perhaps best known for being the lead vocalist of the Pussycat Dolls....
: backing vocals - Carl Shields: drums
- Matt Taul: drums
- Alex Tench: backing vocals
- Brian Vinson: bass
- Orchestra
- Conducted and arranged: Suzie Katayama
- Members: Rick Baptist, Charles Boito, Eve Butler, Jon Clarke, Larry Corbett, Mario DeLeon, Joel Derouin, Virginia Frazer, Matthew J. Funes, Geraldo Hilera, Steven M. Holtman, Ronald Janelli, John T. Johnson, Renita Koven, Daniel Smith, David Stone, John Wittenberg, and Phillip E. Yao
- Choir
- Sandie Hall, Linda Harmon, Luana Jackman, Victor Janacua, Bob Joyce, Jon Joyce, Rick Logan, Suzie Katayama, Donna Medina, and Oren Waters
Production credits
- Produced by Travis Meeks and Todd Smith
- Engineered by Todd Smith with Mike Baker and Clark Hagan
- Mixed by Scott LittScott LittScott Litt is an American record producer who mostly works with artists in the alternative rock genre and is best known for producing six R.E.M. albums.-Biography:...
, Travis Meeks, Todd Smith - Digital Engineer: Greg Fidelman
- Second Engineers: Victor Janacua, Bill McCord, Al Sanderson, Alex Tench
Artwork
- Creative Direction: Jeral Tidwell
- Art and Digital Direction: Chip Dumstorf
- Illustrations: Jeral Tidwell
- Graphic Design: Chip Dumstorf and Travis Meeks
- Photography: Theresa Carpenter, Chaz Rough, and Larry Smith
Charts
Singles - Billboard (North America)| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | "Enemy" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 2 |
| Modern Rock Tracks | 10 | ||
| 2000 | "Weapon and the Wound" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 10 |