Chavez - Ride the Fader (1996)

Chavez are some of the most unsung musicians in rock history. They came onto the scene with a bang, releasing Gone Glimmering, a bombastic yet subtle approach to rock, punk and even metal. That album was amazing from start to finish, and then the band followed up with Ride the Fader. Bringing all their best sounds together into a cosmic force of rock and roll. At times teetering on thin wires, all tension and lock, and then building a melody with massive drum fills and a keen sense of dynamics. Other times just kicking the doors in and laying waste to the whole scene. Their goals being quickly reached and exceeded, they thought they were onto something good. Yet, somehow, incredibly so, people just didnt seem to take to the band. Everything was there, killer hooks, twinkly sparkly little corners, deep subsonic pits, one of the best drummers in recent history, and they even had an awesome live show! But somehow, they faded into obscurity, and I wasnt sure why that was...was the band not getting along? did they reach their peak with Ride the Fader? Could it be that people just didnt like them?
It turns out the band actually wondered the same thing...

The band slowly stopped playing, without any real breakup, and went on to do other things in the creative realms, but then a funny thing happened....people started liking them. The more they faded into obscurity the more people started raving about their albums, and Chavez wasnt there to really enjoy it.

Feeling renewed and ready for a second round, Chavez have released a retrospective album/dvd called Better Days Will Haunt You, featuring a compilation track and an unreleased track along with a bunch of their best songs and some video footage, both creative and candid. They are also playing live again, beginning in their hometown of NYC this past weekend (I couldnt make it, but was lucky to see them for round 1 of all their rock and roll glory) and I strongly suggest you check them out if you see them coming near you. There are even plans for a new album.