Better Days Will Haunt You (W/Dvd) (Dig)

Chavez | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 10, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Matador Records
• ASIN: B000I2IRC8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #158,417 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Repeat The Ending

2. Hack The Sides Away

3. Nailed To The Blank Spot

4. Break Up Your Band

5. Laugh Track

6. The Ghost By The Sea

7. Pentagram Ring

8. Peeled Out Too Late

9. The Flaming Gong

10. WakemanÂ’s Air

See all 14 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Break Up Your Band VIDEO

2. Unreal Is Here VIDEO

3. Boys Making Music... Music Making Men DOCUMENTARY (with Garry Marshall

4. New Room

5. Tight Around The Jaws

6. Lions

7. Our Boys Will Shine Tonight

8. Memorize This Face

9. Cold Joys

10. Flight ‘96

See all 14 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Along with Versus, Silkworm, and Red Red Meat, Chavez were one of the best guitar-rock bands in a decade oversaturated with such acts, in both the over- and underground. Fans and newbies alike can rejoice with Better Days, a three-disc collection with two CDs and one DVD. The tracks--1995's Gone Glimmering and 1996's Ride The Fader plus B-sides, one previously unreleased tune, and a few songs from compilations--have all been remastered. The New York-based act had actual harmonies to match their big power-chorded anthems. And sure, their tunes were literate and funny--but most importantly, they totally rocked. The best thing about the band, as has often been noted, was the twin guitar playing of Clay Tarver and Matt Sweeney. It's in evidence all over this generous retrospective. --Mike McGonigal

Product Description

This super-deluxe re-mastered compilation has a triple-gate digipak: two CDs plus DVD, two 28-page books, the two original studio albums (1995's "Gone Glimmering" and 1996's "Ride The Fader"), non-album b-sides, compilation tracks from "What's Up Matador" and "Schoolhouse Rock! Rocks", a previously unreleased track, two promo videos, a tour documentary, plus other DVD Easter eggs.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a breath of fresh air, ten years later..., October 16, 2006

By 

Ben Udashen "DJ on WMCN 91.7 Macalester Colle... (St. Paul, MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Better Days Will Haunt You (W/Dvd) (Dig) (Audio CD)

When you look at the back of the new Chavez retrospective Better Days Will Haunt You there is something that jumps out at you. It's the pumping fists of college kids rocking out, with no smug smile on their faces, just unadulterated joy. Do you remember that? Rocking for the sake of rocking? Well, Chavez friggin rocked it back in the day, and this is something I think we all could use a dose of.

Over the past few years indie rock has become more and more of a celebration of posturing, pretension, and, of course, irony, so it's nice to be reminded of how much this music can rock and just be great for the sake of being great. You don't need to know any obscure references or have any kitschy tastes in mid 70's Finnish Electro-Disco to be able to enjoy this great collection.

Coming out almost exactly ten years since their last album was released, Better Days Will Haunt You compiles literally everything Matt Sweeney and Co. ever recorded for Matador. There are so many great moments over these two CDs and one DVD. A lot comes from the great songs by Sweeney, best known for the fantastic Superwolf album he cut with Bonnie "Prince" Billy, which redeemed him for his slight involvement in the regrettable Billy Corgan project, Zwan. The combination of his guitar work, vocal stylings, and fantastic melodies are so infectious it hurts. Every time I listen to the tracks Laugh Track or Guard Attacks it is spine chilling how well it all comes together. The rest of the band totally rules too, of course. There are few modern bands whose instrumental interplay can even touch Chavez. Seriously, if this doesn't make you do any air drums or air guitar you might as well give up now? All kidding aside, the quality of this music is frighteningly consistent.

People always ask me what indie rock is. Some say it's a totally vapid term that people just drop to look cool. Well, I have an answer, and its Chavez. So, if I haven't offended you enough, run over to Cheapo and get this fantastic set, you'll have a great time. Seriously.

Recommended if you like: Sonic Youth, Fugazi, Slint, Bonnie "Prince" Billy

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chavez- "Better Days Will Haunt You" (complete works)..., January 10, 2007

By 

Kenton Mulcahy "TheGondolaMan" (Lexington, KY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Better Days Will Haunt You (W/Dvd) (Dig) (Audio CD)

Probably one of the best bands you've never heard of that influenced everything you listen to, assuming you listen to good heavy pop-rock. The melodies of the vocals often trick the listener into forgetting that they're listening to some crushingly heavy, down-tuned, borderline metal music. This long over due collection more than does justice to a band that was never given a fair chance. Don't let the mid-nineties tag get to you...this is good, timeless stuff. If you like "screamo" and think that Thursday started all this "heavy but melodic" nonsense, don't miss this two disc collection from the masters.