In 1997, an unknown Kentucky foursome called Days of the New blasted onto the charts. Their unique approach -- playing grungy hard rock on acoustic guitars -- earned them heavy rotation on both rock and alternative radio, and comparisons to everyone from Metallica to Pearl Jam.

Last year, guitarist and vocalist Travis Meeks announced he was ditching the band and starting over. Days' second album, which hits stores Tuesday, is still based in acoustic guitar rock. But Meeks -- who wrote and produced the album solo -- has created a new soundscape for this album which takes the listener on a psychological and spiritual journey.

Here, rock is paired with orchestra and world music touches to create a fiercely introspective yet universal opus. From the sudden impact of "Flight Response" through the search for identity in "Bring Yourself" to the reflective "Last One," the album tells a compelling and listenable tale. The addition of Nicole Sherzinger on backing vocals adds a haunting warmth to the songs.

On "2," Meeks enters new territory, working from a vast musical palette to create a sound that is as effortless as it is unique.

-- Beth Winegarner

This article was originally published in the San Francisco Chronicle.