Customer Reviews

Days of the New 3 (Red)

5 star:		(82)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

It is a crying shame that this album sold a mere 90,000 copies. People have no clue that he was still around creating some of the best music you are going to hear. He explores more eastern avenues which he had begun in II and he continues his orchestration on masterpieces like Dancing With the Wind. Dirty Road and Die born are beautiful to say the least. Words and Fighing with my clay are serviceable songs, but don't do much for me. It is another excellent album for Travis Meeks and whoever is in his company at the present time.

With so many music circulating in the industry right now, you could imagine there is a lot you havent heard. Days of the New are one of those bands that doesn't get the credit they deserve. They have established a unique and original sound that changes with every song and album. With such a display of musicianship, it's hard to imagine why they aren't being talked about by everyone. The new "Red" album is by far, one of the best music to come out of the industry in ahwile. It brings a blend of many aspects of music such as acoustic and electric rock, classical and even a sense of the mystic. From the first track Hang on to This to the last, Dancing with the Wind, is quite a road less traveled to those who choose to listen to the "popular" music dominating record sales. Such tracks as Fighting with Clay, Best of Life, Words and Hang on to This give us an explosive look at Travis Meeks unchained rock vocals and adreneline injecting guitar progressions while calming down but just as intense as the deep cuts Die Born and Dirty Road. With mid tempo emotional tracks like Days of our Lives and the ever so intriging Where are You?, Once Again and Never Drown, it makes you wonder how Days of the New comes up with this raw, soulful music full of heart and honesty. If you thought that was all that this album has to offer, Giving In and Dancing with the Wind takes you into a dream like state of mind with eastern sitar and an orchestra backing it up. This album cannot be described into a mere review and give you the whole picture, you have to listen to it yourself. And thats the key, listen and open your heart and you just might find something you never thought was there. You'll soon realize that there is a lot of music out there that doesnt get the respect it so rightfully deserves and how close minded some people are when they decide to play a boy band track 17 times a day and not one track by a band whose music was made for people to listen to, not for profit or fame. So please consider checking out the "Red" album. You will be surprised on what you will find. Enjoy.

After a long wait, Red has finally been released and has been well worth the wait.

Red has similar sounds to Days' first album, but has alot of creativity from their second album. Once again, Travis Meeks has outdone himself with accoustic guitars, Egyptian sounds, orchestra pieces, that were all created by him and only him. Meeks has by far outdone any comparision to Morrison or Cornell. He has reached into the depths of his soul to create a very well-planned album with lyrics that will move you to the point of tears. You can feel his raw emotion in tracks like Die Born, Dirty Road, and Once Again just to name a few.

This album is by no means an accoustical ballad mixture. Such songs as Words, Hang On To This, and Fighting With Clay illustrate that you can still jam with accoustical guitars and give the impression of an electric guitar sound.

Dancing With The Wind may confuse someone who is new to Days' sound. This song clearly illustrates the influence that such bands as Dead Can Dance had on Meeks. His orchestra pieces throughout this song are completely brilliant and leave the listener wanting more.

Red by far is Days' best album and I truly recommend it to anyone.

Yeah, Travis Meeks says, "What the f@#k" a couple of times on the song WORDS. Seriously.

So what. Or "what the f@#k." This is the best new artist I've discovered in over 10 years. Travis Meeks is a genius and has been dubbed by some critics as the new Jim Morrison. I don't know about that. Some of his vocal and lyrical elements remind me of Morrison and Alice In Chains, but this guy makes music that is ALL HIS OWN. When this was recorded, he was barely old enough to drink legally. Hey, we could all surely use some more DAYS OF THE NEW music around here.

How about a new album Travis? This one is COLOSSAL!!

If you love rock that defies categorization, you're gonna want to sample this along with the first 2 by Travis Meeks and DAYS OF THE NEW.

ENJOY.

Anyone trying to deal with any bad situation can relate to and embrace the first single and first cut off the new album. The song "Hang On To This" expresses an excruciating pain that has real hope of healing. It's a positive song with inspirational words that are easy to remember in a time of distress. Travis' vocals remind me of the chilling cries John Lennon used to express the same heartfelt conviction that can only come from living each word.

"Fighting With Clay" has been around a long time and appeared on the "Live" video recorded in Seattle, Washington back in 1998, so it was pretty cool to get such a killer studio version. It's a hard and aggressive tune that rocks steadily throughout. I love this song because I see wild and wicked claymation scenes in my brain when I close my eyes and listen to it. Only Travis can tell you what this song is all about, but as an artist, I can relate to it as someone screwing around with my creative work.

"Days in our Life" starts slowly and progresses to a fast paced song encouraging change and the kind of backbone it takes to move beyond the past. The drums and bass get rockin' hard and Travis' voice gets stronger and stronger until he hits a note that only an angel can pull off on their best day. This is the first real hint of how much his voice has changed over the years.

I've always suspected it, but when I heard "Die Born" I knew I was listening to a musical genius. I no longer hear hints of Orange or Green, this is pure Red. The opening guitar seems to gently take my hand just before Travis' lowered voice tells me he's cold and doesn't know why. This is an emotionally powerful and extremely well composed song that conjures up images of a young man declaring his will to survive.

"Best of Life" is a positive tale of getting over it, whomever or whatever `it' may be. To me, it's the celebration of walking away with style and confidence to something different, something better, and wanting only the best from then on. It ties in with the messages in previous songs, encouraging change when things go bad and can't be fixed.

An orchestral piece sounding much like a grand procession of some fashion is placed between songs here. We hear a large chorus, horns, strings and drums that keep the procession`s majestic pace, and then it becomes quiet, signaling the beginning of "Dirty Road", one of the deepest and most poetic songs on the album. This song begins with acoustic guitar, giving the mood of a strolling minstrel, and when I hear the procession music again, I can imagine this troubadour now guiding the followers down a dirt road.

"Where Are You?" seems to be about caring and being in control of the exploration of self in relation to those around you, or maybe not. All I know is that I dig it when Travis sings "Your body's in my hands / The catch of the day / Try running away". The percussion is especially nice throughout this song, and I hear an unusual electronic sound I can't really identify. Cool.

"Never Drown" is another emotionally charged song that tells us, "if we never drown we never know how well it tastes", which can mean different things to different people. I take it as that we can all learn a great deal from our mistakes, that it's okay to fall if we keep trying to fly. "If we never drown, the walls we found would never be our lesson". It's a poetic metaphor that's astonishingly profound and beautifully written.

The words of "Words" are obviously the reason a parental advisory sticker is displayed on the original version of this album. That one naughty F word is repeated over and over in a brilliantly written and aggressively executed tune that expresses confusion and anger. This song, like "Fighting With Clay", has been around for awhile and I'm pleased that it appears on Red. I don't use the term lightly when I say it kicks a**.

I have no idea what "Once Again" was actually written about, but I like to believe it's a kind of love song from a sensuous man living a sensual lifestyle that makes him reluctant to fall all the way. - if that makes any sense. It's really a very pretty song that rocks. The guitar solo has a Spanish flavor with what sounds like castanets and the romantic flamenco dance of the gypsy. The music, lyrics and vocals are very sexy without trying to be.

The song titled "Giving In" has a lovely Indian flavor that enhances the lyrical imagery of the snake. The feel of the song is like that of the experimental sounds of the 1960s, yet with a great deal more sophistication. In this song we hear the wisest words that can be shared in these or any days of uncertainty - "Use your senses the best way you can - Believe in yourself".

The last song on the Red Album brings me to "Dancing With The Wind", the song that many have described as resembling a film soundtrack. A film tells a story, and sound is a crucial element in bringing the tale alive. The lyrics of Orange, Green and Red are the open journal of Travis Meeks, the completed compositions are the soundtrack to his life. It would be perfectly natural for him to score films someday, and "Dancing With The Wind" is an extraordinarily fine example of his talent to do so...It's quite enchanting.

If you own a copy of Red, go get another one and turn somebody on.

This is the most recent release from Days of the New and hopefully not the last. This whole album rocks from start to end. Travis Meeks has taken acoustic guitar hard rock to a new level. I would have normally never tried anything labelled acoustic guitar hard rock (mainly because of the acoustic guitar part) but I'm so glad I did. This album needs to be experienced as trying to describe it is almost impossible.

Supposedly their 4th album (dubbed purple) is in the process of being made but it's slow going since their record label was bought out by another label who made the stupid decision to not keep Days of the New's contract. Hopefully it will surface soon.

Everything has been said. All I can add is that Days of the New just got better as they went along. Why they aren't world renown comercially successful superstars I just don't know. I say "comercially" because in my book they are superstars with or without the enormous fortune and fame. I could name dozens of bands in the same position. That doesn't make them any less great. Especially II and then even more so is III. They are just adventures in music that you will only hear from DOTN. I can pop these discs in and I never want them to stop. Their music is complex. You will hear more every time you listen to them. It's mature, not particularly for the kids. Perhaps there in lies the rub. Great mature music that doesn't appeal to the preteen with all mommy and daddy's money. Certainly that would be simplifiying. But, to a degree I believe this is what happens when you don't sell out. When you create with integrity first, getting rich second. At least they've earned respect and this band will be talked about now and then for as long as rock music is being played and when the nu metal sorry ass crowd becomes a pathetic joke like disco did. Man, how I hated the radio in the 70s. I wish Mr. Meeks would find a way to continue laying down some of the highest quality rock music a person can listen to.

A writer I am not..and it is impossible for me to portray to you the feeling you get from listening to the 3rd self titled RED album of Days of the New. You have to decide for yourself to give this album a try. You'll be kicking yourself for not buying it sooner. It is a must have in anyone's collection.

Mr. Meeks has proven his talent once again...he has captured vibrance and originality in his music and lyrics beyond his years. Still writing from the heart and soul..this album reveals that Travis has grown and matured into a brilliant composer, songwriter, and vocalist at the young age of 22.

If you are a fan of the first album (Orange-yes that's what Travis calls it)..you'll appreciate the songs "Fighting With Clay", "Words" and "Best In Life". These songs were written in that era of heavy accoustics. Although, on this album, they are toned down a bit from the Orange agressive style.

If you are more into the Green album, you will love the songs "Giving In" and "Dancing with the Wind". Travis' composing shines brightly on this album..as there are 3 different pieces hidden throughout the album...keeping the spirit alive.

And if you are like me and love both Orange and Green, you will not be disappointed in the RED. It combines both album sounds and creates a whole new experience...an evolution of times. Songs like "Die Born", "Dirty Road" and "Once Again" are simple beatiful songs that will leave you wanting to hear them again.

Do yourself a favor. Buy this album. Listen to it all the way through - then listen to it again. I think you'll be inspired. If not, give it to a friend...it'll be the best gift they've ever received.

Yet again, Travis Meeks takes on new musical ground and power.
The red album has to be the best album by Travis. Absolutely beautifully done. Plus, Travis plays everything on "Giving In" (one of the stronger songs on the album). He plays percussion and such on Dancing In The Wind, along with his usual acoustic and electric guitars on all the tracks.

I cannot understand the harshness and bitterness of the one- and two- star reviews. This album far exceeded my expectations, honestly:

After the Yellow Album, I expected more acoustic grunge, reminiscing (sp?) in the styles of Alice In Chains, Nirvana, latter Pearl Jam, etc. Not that I would have been disappointed by it. I loved the Yellow Album, and every track on it. However, the Green Album blew me away completely. It had what I expected to a point, but so, so much more. It had a new bent. Techno, orchestral, and slightly classical.

So I expected, with the next album, more of that. That's what I got, but it went way beyond what I thought I would hear.

I did not expect the heavy opening of Hang on to This. That was a shock in and of itself. This song pushed the electric side. However, it was incredible how Travis still managed to keep the most important instrument of the song the acoustic guitar even when the electric hit the front here.

The we go through Fighting w/ Clay and Days in our Life. Neither are fillers. Both are absolutely incredible and are truly inspired. But then we get to what is the second masterpiece on this album, Die Born. This is such a great song. the lyrics are positive, talking about standing strong in the face of all problems, even death, as it were. The instrumentation here is absolutely beautiful, the acoustic picking is incredible, and Travis's vocals on here are uplifting, to say the least.

The Best of Life, another incredible song, about life and wanting only the best. Again, great instrumentation, and the acoustic guitar here is in the forefront again.

Dirty Road, Where Are You, and Never Drown, are, I guess, the "radio hits" Travis was forced to put on by the label. And even though he must have been constricted by this, he still delivered three masterpieces in these again inspired and incredible compositions.

Words, an awesome song, comes next. This is the song that garnered the explicit labels lyrics. One of the lyrics here is "well what the f***." Although, to be honest, I can't understand the explicit lyrics label for a couple instances of the f-word (maybe in the 40's or 50's, but now?), but, hey, they've slapped the label on entirely instrumental albums, so what can you do?

Then we get Once Again and Giving In, again musical masterpieces. Not fillers, just strokes of incredible brilliance from a musical genius.

And finally, we have what I would say is Travis's Opus. Just Like Jim Morrison had "The End," Travis Meeks has "Dancing With The Wind." It's incredible. Brilliant. Really, you have to hear it to understand, because words can't really express the sheer brilliance of this song. I have converted tons of people to DOTN just by this masterpiece alone, and I do honestly believe it will be impossible to top, just like "The End" was impossible to top. This song I could listen to over and over and never tire of it. The power, the voice, and the strength of this song, I think, culminates every song that came before from all three albums, as well as Travis himself. What I wouldn't give to see it performed live with full backing band, orchestra, choir, and all.


And again, I can't wait for the Purple album. The label is slowing down the release? Why do you need a label? Do what Zeppelin did (Swan Song) and create your own. The label doesn't want to sponsor you, Travis, then forget them (obviously I have a much harsher word in mind but, you get the idea...). You don't need 'em. Maybe it's just my stupidity when it comes to things like this, but it seems to me you can release it just fine either without a label or under the Independant label. You're brilliant, Travis. If labels can't figure that out, it's their loss. Don't let it be yours.

While some people may be skepicle about buying this, dont be. Pick it up today. Its an overlooked gem. Days of the New have come a long, long way from their debut album back in 1997. Back then, critics just wrote them off as another Alice in Chains clone trying to copy the Seattle grunge style. Its a real shame too. Many songs on this album are just different from everything else rock, and the lyrics show real emotion. This is like the journal or blog of Travis Meeks (the lead singer). While the album Days of the New II was highly experimentlal, and the first was just decent, but not highly original, rock, Days of the New III takes it all, perfects what they have been trying to do all along while adding a fresh new sound to it. It all works out here. By listening to this, you can tell Travis Meeks was a perfectionist, and this was the bands last album. The rest of the group just couldent get along with the lead singer and went on the form the unoriginal, generic rock band Tantric, which in my opinion is highly dissapointing. All in all, a great album. I wish I could hear more from them. Although this is about perfect, they had even more potential, and more experiments to go. This will do for now, though.