View source for Guide to Better Living

{{Short description | Debut album by Australian rock band Grinspoon}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2012}}
{{Infobox album
| name       = Guide to Better Living
| type       = studio
| artist     = [[Grinspoon]]
| cover      = Guide_to_better_living.jpeg
| alt        =
| released   = {{Start date|df=y|1997|9|16}}
| recorded   = February 1997, Rocking Horse Studios, [[Byron Bay, New South Wales|Byron Bay]]
| venue      =
| studio     =
| genre      = [[Alternative metal]], [[post-grunge]], [[punk rock]]
| length     = {{Duration|m=46|s=12}}
| label      = [[Grudge Records|Grudge]]/[[Universal Music Group|Universal Music Australia]]
| producer   = [[Phil McKellar|Phillip McKellar]]
| prev_title = [[Licker Bottle Cozy]]
| prev_year  = 1996
| next_title = [[Pushing Buttons]]
| next_year  = 1998
| misc       = {{Singles
 | name        = Guide to Better Living
 | type        = studio
 | single1     = Pedestrian
 | single1date = 14 July 1997
 | single2     = [[DC×3]]
 | single2date = 11 August 1997
 | single3     = Repeat
 | single3date = October 1997
 | single4     = [[Just Ace]]
 | single4date = 1 February 1998
 | single5     = Don't Go Away
 | single5date = 1 June 1998
}}
}}

'''''Guide to Better Living''''' is the debut studio album by Australian [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Grinspoon]]. It was released on 16 September 1997 on the [[Grudge Records]] label (an imprint of [[Universal Music Group|Universal Music Australia]]) and was produced by [[Phil McKellar]]. The album reached number&nbsp;11 on the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Albums Chart]] and spent 36 weeks on the national charts. The album peaked at number 8 when re-released in 2017.

At the [[ARIA Music Awards of 1998|1998 ARIA Music Awards]], Grinspoon received a nomination in the category 'Breakthrough Artist – Album' for ''Guide to Better Living''. The album achieved a [[List of music recording sales certifications#Albums|platinum]] certification from ARIA. It generated five singles, "Pedestrian", "[[DC×3]]", "Repeat", "[[Just Ace]]" and "Don't Go Away"; with "Just Ace" and "DC×3" both reaching the top&nbsp;50 on the ARIA Singles Chart. On 9 March 1999 a trimmed and reordered version of the album was issued for the North American market.<ref name="AllmusicUS"/>

==Background==
''Guide to Better Living'' is the debut studio album by Australian alternative metal and post-grunge band [[Grinspoon]]. In 1995 the group formed in [[Lismore, New South Wales|Lismore]], New South Wales and are fronted by [[Phil Jamieson]] on [[vocals]] and [[guitar]] with [[Pat Davern]] on guitar, Joe Hansen on [[bass guitar]] and Kristian Hopes on [[drum kit|drums]].<ref name="Howl"/><ref name="ARDb"/> The group's second extended play, ''[[Licker Bottle Cozy]]'', was recorded in June 1996 with [[Phil McKellar]] as producer.<ref name="Howl"/><ref name="ARDb"/>

In February 1997 the band recorded their debut album, with McKellar again, at Rockinghorse Studios in [[Byron Bay, New South Wales|Byron Bay]] and mixed at [[Studios 301]] in Sydney in April. The band considered the title, ''Sell Your Parents'', but eventually decided on ''Guide to Better Living'', after a 1960s catalogue of [[Sunbeam Australia|Sunbeam]] white goods.<ref name="Howl">{{cite web | archiveurl = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20120726191200/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/14231/20120727-0512/www.howlspace.com.au/en4/grinspoon/grinspoon.htm | url = http://www.howlspace.com.au/en4/grinspoon/grinspoon.htm|title=Grinspoon | last = Nimmervoll | first = Ed | author-link = Ed Nimmervoll | publisher = Howlspace – The Living History of Our Music. White Room Electronic Publishing Pty Ltd (Ed Nimmervoll) | archivedate = 26 July 2012 | accessdate = 23 January 2014 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name="ARDb">{{cite web | url = http://hem2.passagen.se/honga/database/g/grinspoon.html | title = Grinspoon | publisher = [[Australian Rock Database]]. Passagen (Magnus Holmgren) | first = Magnus | last = Holmgren | accessdate = 22 March 2012 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120220031537/http://hem2.passagen.se/honga/database/g/grinspoon.html | archivedate = 20 February 2012}}</ref> It had a slightly heavier sound than their earlier work. On 16 September 1997 they released the work on [[Grudge Records]] – an imprint of [[Universal Music Group|Universal Music Australia]].<ref name="Howl"/><ref name="ARDb"/><ref>{{Cite magazine | title = Universal Australia restructures in response to changing face of retail | magazine = [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | first = Christie | last = Eliezer | page = 103 | date = 6 March 1999 | url  = https://books.google.com/books?id=8g0EAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Guide+to+Better+Living%22+grinspoon&pg=PA103 | accessdate=22 March 2012 | publisher = [[Prometheus Global Media]] }}</ref> It peaked at number&nbsp;11 on the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Albums Charts]] and by year's end it was certified [[List of music recording sales certifications#Albums|platinum]] with shipment of over 70,000 units in Australia.<ref name="AusCharts">{{cite web | url = http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Grinspoon&titel=Guide+To+Better+Living&cat=a | title = Grinspoon – ''Guide to Better Living'' | last = Hung | first = Steffen | publisher = Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung) | accessdate = 22 March 2012 }}</ref><ref name="ARIACred1997">{{cite web |url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-albums-1997.htm |title=ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 1997 Albums |publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA) |accessdate=22 March 2012}}</ref> At the [[ARIA Music Awards of 1998]], Grinspoon received a nomination in the category 'Breakthrough Artist – Album' for ''Guide to Better Living''.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/1998 | title = Winners By Year - 25th ARIA Awards 2011 – Winners by Year – 1998 | publisher = Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) | accessdate = 22 March 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110927121049/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=1998 | archive-date = 27 September 2011 | url-status = dead }}</ref> It represents the sound and variety of their early career with heavier songs like "Pressure Tested 1984" open the album, whilst in the middle are more classic rock songs like "Repeat" and "Don't Go Away" and then towards the end the ballad "Bad Funk Stripe."

In Australia a limited edition was issued with a bonus CD featuring the single version of "[[Just Ace]]", five live songs—illustrating the band's sense of humour and ability to play live—and a [[hidden track]], the [[acoustic music|acoustic]] "Protest". The live tracks were recorded at Grudgefest in Sydney on Saturday 27 September 1997. The United States branch of [[Universal Records]] signed the band by late 1998 and released an altered version of ''Guide to Better Living'' on 9 March 1999. The cover was also modified with the band's name and album title written in a different style. The album sold over 12,000 copies in the US on the back of extensive touring by the band in North America<ref>{{Cite news | title = Australia: Southern Exposure | work = Billbosrd | first1 = Thom | last1 = Duffy |first2 = Christie | last2 = Eliezer | page = 67 | date = 16 October 1999 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=8g0EAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Guide+to+Better+Living%22+grinspoon&pg=PA103 | publisher = Prometheus Global Media | accessdate = 22 March 2012 }}</ref> with bands such as [[Creed (band)|Creed]], [[Lit (band)|Lit]], [[Godsmack]] and [[Anthrax (American band)|Anthrax]].<ref name="Howl"/> The group's second album, ''[[Easy (Grinspoon album)|Easy]]'' followed in November 1999.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.sputnikmusic.com/bands/Grinspoon/1868/ | title = Grinspoon reviews, music, news | publisher = Sputnikmusic (Jeremy Ferwerda) | accessdate = 23 March 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.thebulletreviews.com/features/lesson2.html | title = Feature: Katey's Aussie Bands 101 - Lesson 2 – Classic Aussie Rock: Grinspoon | last = Katey | work = The Bullet Reviews | publisher = Imre | accessdate = 23 March 2012 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070706034500/http://www.thebulletreviews.com/features/lesson2.html | archivedate = 6 July 2007}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="AllmusicUS">{{cite web | url = {{AllMusic | pure_url = yes | class=album |id=r398669}} | title = ''Guide to Better Living'' – Grinspoon | publisher = [[AllMusic]]. [[Rovi Corporation]] | accessdate = 22 March 2012 }}</ref>
| rev2 = WHAMMO
| rev2score = (positive)<ref name="WHAMMO">{{cite web | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20040729115212/http://www.whammo.com.au/showProduct.asp?barcode=174144 | url = http://www.whammo.com.au/showProduct.asp?barcode=174144 | title = Grinspoon – ''Guide to Better Living'' | publisher = Worldwide Home of Australasian Music and More Online (WHAMMO) | accessdate = 23 March 2012 | archivedate = 29 July 2004 }}</ref>
}}
According to the Worldwide Home of Australasian Music and More Online (WHAMMO), "[a]fter being discovered by Triple J and then signed by Grudge records, this was the album that hammered it home - Grinspoon were destined to be the most rock and roll party down aviator-shades-wearing Oz rock band of the late '90s".<ref name="WHAMMO"/>

==Track listing==
{{Track listing
| headline = Australian version
| all_writing     = [[Phil Jamieson]] and Joe Hansen,<ref name="Pressure">{{cite web | publisher = [[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA) | title = 'Pressure Tested 1984' at APRA search engine | url  = http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/worksearch.axd?q=Pressure%20Tested%201984 | accessdate  = 23 March 2012 }} Note: To search for other titles click on Search again and enter track name.</ref> except where noted
| total_length    = 46:12
| title1 = Pressure Tested 1984
| length1 = 2:46
| title2 = Boundary
| length2 = 2:33
| title3 = [[DC×3|DC X 3]]
| writer3 = {{flatlist|
* Jamieson
* [[Pat Davern]]
}}
| length3 = 2:55
| title4 = Sickfest
| writer4 = {{flatlist|
* Jamieson
* Davern
}}
| length4 = 3:12
| title5 = Railrider
| length5 = 4:08
| title6 = Scalped
| writer6 = Jamieson
| length6 = 2:36
| title7 = Pedestrian
| length7 = 2:16
| title8 = [[Just Ace]]
| writer8 = Jamieson
| length8 = 1:48
| title9 = Post Enebriated Anxiety
| writer9 = {{flatlist|
* Jamieson
* Davern
}}
| length9 = 2:38
| title10 = Repeat
| writer10 = Jamieson
| length10 = 3:18
| title11 = NBT
| length11 = 2:25
| title12 = Don't Go Away
| writer12 = {{flatlist|
* Jamieson
* Hansen
* Davern
}}
| length12 = 2:56
| title13 = Balding Matters
| length13 = 2:34
| title14 = Bad Funk Stripe
| writer14 = Jamieson
| length14 = 4:43
| title15 = Champion
| length15 = 2:42
| title16 = Truk
| writer16 = {{flatlist|
* Jamieson
* Davern
}}
| length16 = 2:42
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Original release bonus tracks
| total_length    = 
| title17 = More Than You Are
| writer17 = Jamieson
| note17 = live
| length17 = 2:55
| title18 = Freezer
| writer18 = Jamieson
| note18 = live
| length18 = 2:04
| title19 = Post Enebriated Anxiety
| note19 = live
| writer19 = {{flatlist|
* Jamieson
* Davern
}}
| length19 = 3:09
| title20 = NBT
| note20 = live
| length20 = 2:50
| title21 = Just Ace
| writer21 = Jamieson
| note21 = live
| length21 = 2:01
| title22 = Protest
| note22 = hidden track
| length22 = 1:22
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Live at [[CBGB]]'s New York 1997 – 20th anniversary deluxe edition<ref name="deluxe">{{cite web|title =Guide To Better Living (Deluxe Edition)|url=https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/guide-to-better-living-deluxe-edition/id1218746252|work=[[iTunes Store]]|accessdate=4 April 2017}}</ref>

| total_length    =

| title17 = American Party Bomb
| length17 = 2:12

| title18 = Black Friday
| writer18 = {{flatlist|
* Jamieson
* Davern
}}
| length18 = 2:50

| title19 = Pedestrian
| length19 = 2:25

| title20 = More Than You Are
| writer20 = Jamieson
| length20 = 2:58

| title21 = Butcher
| length21 = 3:35

| title22 = Post Enebriated Anxiety
| writer22 = {{flatlist|
* Jamieson
* Davern
}}
| length22 = 3:22

| title23 = Just Ace
| writer23 = Jamieson
| length23 = 1:58

| title24 = All the Time
| length24 = 2:31

| title25 = Champion
| length25 = 3:00

| title26 = Freezer
| writer26 = Jamieson
| length26 = 2:23
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Re-release bonus EP
| total_length    = 16:43
| title1 = Just Ace
| writer1 = Jamieson
| note1 = single version
| length1 = 1:48
| title2 = Grudgefest Intro
| note2 = live
| length2 = 0:34
| title3 = More Than You Are
| writer3 = Jamieson
| note3 = live
| length3 = 2:55
| title4 = Freezer
| writer4 = Jamieson
| note4 = live
| length4 = 2:04
| title5 = Post Enebriated Anxiety
| writer5 = {{flatlist|
* Jamieson
* Davern
}}
| note5 = live
| length5 = 3:09
| title6 = NBT
| note6 = live
| length6 = 2:50
| title7 = Just Ace
| writer7 = Jamieson
| note7 = live
| length7 = 2:01
| title8 = Protest
| note8 = hidden track
| length8 = 1:22
}}

{{Track listing
| headline = B-Sides / Rarities – 20th anniversary deluxe edition bonus disc<ref name="deluxe" />
| total_length    = 
| title1 = Pig Pen
| writer1 = Jamieson
| length1 = 2:21
| title2 = Butcher
| writer2 = Jamieson
| length2 = 3:58
| title3 = Freezer
| writer3 = Jamieson
| length3 = 1:59
| title4 = Green Grass Meadow
| writer4 = {{flatlist|
* Jamieson
* Davern
}}
| note4 = previously unreleased
| length4 = 2:50
| title5 = Fuck Truk
| length5 = 2:52
| title6 = Fire Engine Man
| writer6 = {{flatlist|
* Jamieson
* Hansen
* Davern
* Kristian Hopes
}}
| length6 = 3:01
| title7 = Pedestrian
| note7 = Roadkill Mix
| length7 = 3:23
| title8 = Ambulance
| writer8 = {{flatlist|
* Jamieson
* Davern
}}
| length8 = 2:42
| title9 = Champion
| note9 = [[Groove Terminator]] Remix
| length9 = 3:14
| title10 = Railrider
| note10 = The Hypnotic Mix
| length10 = 4:59
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Live at [[Falls Festival]] 1997 – 20th anniversary deluxe edition bonus disc<ref name="deluxe" />
| total_length    = 
| title11 = Champion
| length11 = 3:19
| title12 = Don't Go Away
| writer12 = {{flatlist|
* Jamieson
* Hansen
* Davern
}}
| length12 = 2:59
| title13 = Pedestrian
| length13 = 2:42
| title14 = More Than You Are
| writer14 = Jamieson
| length14 = 2:49
| title15 = Repeat
| writer15 = Jamieson
| length15 = 3:18
| title16 = Boundary
| length16 = 2:50
| title17 = American Party Bomb
| length17 = 2:36
| title18 = Just Ace
| writer18 = Jamieson
| length18 = 1:46
| title19 = Post Enebriated Anxiety
| writer19 = {{flatlist|
* Jamieson
* Davern
}}
| length19 = 3:30
| title20 = Untitled
| length20 = 2:21
| title21 = Freezer
| writer21 = Jamieson
| length21 = 2:56
| title22 = DCx3
| writer22 = {{flatlist|
* Jamieson
* Davern
}}
| length22 = 3:21
| title23 = Dr Grinspoon
| writer23 = {{flatlist|
* Jamieson
* Davern
}}
| length23 = 3:19
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = American version
| total_length    = 44:17
| title1 = PostEnebriatedAnxiety
| writer1 = {{flatlist|
* Jamieson
* Davern
}}
| length1 = 2:37
| title2 = Black Friday
| writer2 = {{flatlist|
* Jamieson
* Davern
}}
| length2 = 2:29
| title3 = Dead Cat X 3
| writer3 = {{flatlist|
* Jamieson
* Davern
}}
| length3 = 2:54
| title4 = More Than You Are
| writer4 = Jamieson
| length4 = 3:10
| title5 = Railrider
| length5 = 4:02
| title6 = Pressure Tested
| length6 = 2:46
| title7 = Repeat
| writer7 = Jamieson
| length7 = 3:16
| title8 = Champion
| length8 = 2:41
| title9 = Pedestrian
| length9 = 2:14
| title10 = NBT
| length10 = 2:25
| title11 = Bad Funk Stripe
| writer11 = Jamieson
| length11 = 4:41
| title12 = Scalped
| writer12 = Jamieson
| length12 = 2:35
| title13 = Boundary
| length13 = 2:31
| title14 = Truk
| writer14 = {{flatlist|
* Jamieson
* Davern
}}
| length14 = 2:43
| title15 = Sickfest
| writer15 = {{flatlist|
* Jamieson
* Davern
}}
| length15 = 3:12
}}

==Personnel==
;Grinspoon members
* [[Phil Jamieson]] – [[vocals]], [[guitar]]
* [[Pat Davern]] – guitar
* Joe Hansen – [[bass guitar]] 
* Kristian Hopes – [[drum kit|drums]]

;Additional musicians
* Ted Reiger – keyboards

;Production details
* Producer – [[Phil McKellar|Phillip McKellar]], Grinspoon, Ulrich Wild
* Engineer – Phillip McKellar, Ulrich Wild
**Assistant engineer – Greg Courtney, Flip Osman, Chris Riband
* Mastering – Ron Baker, Tom Baker
* Mixing – Phillip McKellar, Ulrich Wild
** Mixing assistant – Flip Osman, Chris Riband
* Studio – Rocking Horse Studios

;Art works
* Photography – Paul Blackmore, Sophie Howarth, Stephen Stickler

==Charts==
===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
!scope="col"|Chart (1997-2017)
!scope="col"|Peak<br>position
|-
{{album chart|Australia|8|artist=Grinspoon|album=Guide to Better Living|accessdate=6 October 2019|rowheader=true}}
|-
|}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Chart (1997)
!Position
|-
|Australian Albums Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-albums-1997.htm|title=ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Albums 1997 |website=ARIA |accessdate= 6 October 2019}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|94
|-
!Chart (1998)
!Position
|-
|Australian Albums Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-albums-1997.htm|title=ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Albums 1997 |website=ARIA |accessdate= 6 October 2019}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|64
|}

== Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|title=Guide to Better Living|artist=Grinspoon|type=album|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1997|certyear=2017|accessdate=6 October 2019}}
{{Certification Table Bottom | nosales=true}}

==Releases==
{| class="wikitable"
! Format
! Country
! Label
! Catalogue No.
! Release Date
|-
|rowspan="3" |CD
|rowspan="2" |AUS
|rowspan="2" |Grudge/[[Universal Music Group|Universal]] 
|UMD73086 <br/><small>(A limited edition CD was also released which included an 8-track bonus CD)</small>
|16 September 1997
|-
|UMD73109
|20 July 1998
|- 
|US       
|Universal 
|UD-53250
|9 March 1999
|}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Grinspoon}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1997 debut albums]]
[[Category:Grinspoon albums]]