Sunny Day Real Estate
The Rising Tide
(Time Bomb)
Sunny Day Real Estate's rocky path includes a high-profile breakup, the spiritual
rebirth of singer Jeremy Enigk (and subsequent solo rebirth on the brilliant
1996 orchestral record Return Of The Frog Queen), a higher-profile reunion,
numerous line-up changes, and a recent label switch. But through it all, the
Seattle band has been remarkably consistent, incorporating its epic, bombastic
uplift into three great studio albums that somehow convert its endless string
of dramatic peaks into catchy songs. At first, The Rising Tide sounds like
SDRE's first noticeable misstep: Is that Enigk hitting the high note on "Rain
Song," or is it Yes' Jon Anderson? The resemblance, coupled with recurring
nods to prog-rock, can be unsettling the first time through, but additional
exposures reveal the beautiful, textured rock album within. The single "One"
melds the dizzying whomp of SDRE's best anthems with the stately and understated
beauty of Enigk's great solo debut, while "Rain Song," Yes comparisons
aside, is the loveliest song this side of "The Ocean," which is
nicely constructed around Dan Hoerner's clear, gorgeous guitar line. Those
subtler moments nicely flesh out the less tempered grandeur that pops up throughout,
making The Rising Tide another remarkable, evolutionary chapter in the stormy
history of one of rock's best young bands. --Stephen Thompson
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