In 1995, Sunny Day
Real Estate could have almost been played on
commercial rock radio. Really, the radio climate was right for their
unique sonics, however, they became a footnote in the eyes of big time
radio programmers once the Foo Fighters hit. Things have changed since
then. Radio is polluted by Limp Bizkit and Korn clones or, even worse,
Britney Spears and her doppelgangers. Sunny Day came and went and came
again, and it seems they might be back for the long haul. At least one
would hope so after hearing the tremendous success they've built with
their latest "The Rising Tide".
On this outing, they blast right out of the gate with the huge,
grunge-tinted "Killed by an Angel" where we are welcomed to the
"lonesome world of Abel". Inside Enigk's description of a world
where
paranoia is good for you, we get to feel this idea through the way the
music weaves its way through a twisted forest of jangling SG's and
crunchy Les Pauls.
We get another subdued rocker in the song "One" followed by a lovely
acoustically tinged number called "Rain Song". Augmented by a
beautifully arranged string section, this song made me wonder if it's
the same rain song mentinoed in "The Pink Album's" song "8".
Just when you think it's safe to say "emo", you get knocked back
flat by "Disappear" and "Snibe". Both hard rockers, though
"Snibe"
seems to have a slightly political bent to it, they leave you wondering
what's next, only to be lulled into security by the uplifting track "The
Ocean". Enigk sings "deep in the ocean there lies a wave for you",
sending a bit of hope to anyone who's wandered into still waters and
can't get themselves moving again.
For some, the wave waiting for them is the next song. "Fool in the
Photograph" opens with a riff that would have been a welcome addition
to
Soundgarden's farewell "Down on the Upside". "Tearing in my
Heart" is a
showcase of Jeremy Enigk's ever-evolving musical chops, as he plays
drums, bass, keys and guitar. "Television" hits with a punky intensity.
"Faces in Disguise"
shows that U2 did not corner the market on
hypnotically beautiful songs. Featuring lyrics that unfold like a warm
quilt, and a spacey Edge-like guitar part, Enigk shows just how strong
Sunny Day has become since breaking up in 1995.
We close with the title track, which is an uplifting piece, breaking
from the tradition of ending a Sunny Day Real Estate record with a
melancholic tone (let's face it, when you really pay attention, "Rodeo
Jones" just ain't happy). The song grabs you, pulls you up, and leaves
you begging your index finger to press play one more time. Aside from
the songs, the musicianship is tight, within the new framework of a
three-piece where Enigk handles bass duties on all tracks except for
"Television".
Despite the rocky past and often uphill climb, "The Rising Tide"
shows us a band who have finally reached a level playing field and seem
determined to reach their stride.
Justin C. Noszek