Described by
Jerermy Enigk
as a "wake-up call,"
Sunny Day Real Estate
's fourth album (and their first for
Time Bomb
)
The Rising Tide
presents the most accomplished version of their gripping, anthemic sound yet. Appropriate to its title,
comes in sweeps and swells, ranging from searching, uncompromising rock like
"Killed By an Angel"
and
"One"
to gentle, beautiful ballads like
"Rain Song"
and even pop-tinged songs like
"Television,"
which sounds a bit like a more propulsive version of
the Police
's early '80s singles. Though the album was recorded with a trio lineup (
Jeremy Enigk
,
Dan Hoerner
, and
William Goldsmith
), it's some of the band's fullest-sounding work, rich with strings and keyboard flourishes that add extra depth to the shimmering, Eastern-inspired drones of
"Fool in the Photograph"
"Faces in Disguise."
Lou Giordano
's production gives
an unabashedly big, clean sound that frames
Sunny Day
's detailed songwriting and arrangements perfectly, giving the restrained, reflective
"Tearing in My Heart"
"The Ocean"
as much impact as driven tracks like
"Snibe"
"Disappear."
Best of all is the title track, which blends a beautiful melody, heartfelt vocals, and an insistent rhythm into a sweeping, affecting finale. Expansive and complex without compromising the band's focused, impassioned style,
is one of
's -- and 2000's -- most impressive albums. ~ Heather Phares