A few years ago, a band called Days of the New showed real promise -- and then three-quarters of the band were fired. Now that the heyday of grunge is a passing memory, those members reorganized and updated their sound. Gone are the heavier moments and the tortured, darker Days. In their place are quicker melodies, a cleaner sound, and a slightly happier outlook for the band and its music.

Tantric's debut CD begins much like the first Days CD did - a pretty, winding melody on an acoustic guitar leads into the heavier chorus and remains as the main thread that ties the whole package together. "Breakdown" is an upbeat number with no real surprises. However, the second track showcases the new lineup. Where Travis Meeks would have explored his slow, deliberate voice, Hugo Ferreira prefers to keep pace with the guitar line, emphasizing one of the band's signature sounds. Ferreira's mark is the primary divergence between Tantric and its old shell, the difference between the last remnants of grunge and today's rap-core influences. Glib, fluid vocals are the norm and not the exception.

"I Don't Care" is the first of two ballads here; the selling power of bands like Creed and (most recently) Lifehouse can't be ignored. "Mourning" conveys its theme in both the piano line and the sigh-worthy lyrics. "In the morning I can see the signs/ Wonder why I couldn't keep you satisfied" is confessional without turning into a therapy session.

The band's roots are obvious on tracks like "Revillusion" and the vocals on "Astounded", where the line between this band and Alice In Chains becomes muddy. The link to AIC seems to be a popular theme these days. Their classic rock influences are also evident, though much to their credit rather than detriment. Tantric's trademark rhythms and acoustic ramblings keep the line just clear enough to make the sound their own. Tantric's days are a little brighter, and their new incarnation gives us all a reason to smile.