Collector's Corner: Everclear - 'So Much for the Afterglow'

(Photo Credit: Michael La Torre)

Everclear have represented so much to me musically, that is has been fun getting to know Art Alexakis and the team at Intervention Records that are responsible for bringing back some of the band's greatest records to crisp sounding new vinyl! Most recently Alexakis and Intervention partnered on Songs From An American Movie Vol. 1: Learning How to Smile (you can check out our Collector's Corner review of this one here!). Before this though, the two partnered on remastering and bringing back two of the band's records Sparkle and Fade and So Much for the Afterglow. Today we're going to be focusing on 1997's So Much for the Afterglow!

Of course, in 1997 the band was facing massive expectations after the release of their 1995 smash success Sparkle and Fade. Alexakis and company delivered in a big way. The band's continued success was virtually unheard of, as So Much for the Afterglow beat out its predecessor in both sales and arguably critical acclaim. So Much for the Afterglow was responsible for three top-five hits, going double-platinum, and ultimately won the band a Billboard Rock Artist of the Year award for the year 1998!

Everyone remembers So Much for the Afterglow for its smash hits "I Will Buy You a New Life", "Everything to Everyone", and "Father of Mine", but the album is so much more than that. With personal favorites of mine such as "Amphetamine", "Why I Don't Believe in God", and it's title track "So Much for the Afterglow". It's so clear that this album packed a punch in 1997 and it packs even more of a punch now that Alexakis and Intervention Records' team have had an opportunity to remaster it.

For this rerelease, the artwork is stunningly restored to a clear and crisp new standard. It's highlighted on a beautiful deluxe old style single-pocket gatefold jacket. The vinyl itself comes in standard black on a 180-gram vinyl that jumps off a turntable in ways I've never heard these songs do before. The remasters came from High-res archives and can be heard for the first time on this record. As far as the mastering goes, it was mastered by Kevin Gray at CoHEARent Audio.

So, what does this all mean? Well, if you're looking for a great gift for the vinyl fan on your holiday shopping list, look no further! Especially if they happen to be a fan of Portland's hometown heroes. And to be honest, how could you not be? If you're wondering where to find this special release, we got your back. Simply follow the link here and you can get a copy for you and your friend direct from Intervention Records!