When it comes to album reissues, it is actually a much more difficult task to write a fair and unbiased review than you might think, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the reviewer - in this case, me - has heard the original recording; therefore there is a pre-conceived opinion of the material. Secondly, the majority of these types of releases are ten or twenty years removed from their original release. So what might have sounded fresh and exciting ten years ago could now be completely played out due to over saturation, though this is not always the case. And finally, as a "critic," you really want to do the album(s) justice, especially when covering classic albums, such is the case here with Sunny Day Real Estate.
Nevertheless, here we are, a decade and a half removed from the original releases of the first two full-lengths from Sunny Day Real Estate. Diary and LP2 are albums that helped define a sound along with the likes of releases from Jawbox, Fugazi, Braid, and a slew of other post-hardcore and emotional-hardcore bands. And then there is their ever-growing influence on a generation of emo, hardcore, and rock bands that followed.
Diary landed in 1994, which when you think of the state of the music world at that time, was smack dab at the height of the grunge revolution. Any and every band that could be tied to Seattle, wore flannel shirts, or were "filled with angst" had a record contract. It's interesting to note that artists that were tied so closely to the hardcore and punk world were given major label deals. I'm sure Sunny Day Real Estate got their offer
I'd be really surprised if they didn't. But anyway, back to the recording. Diary is an album filled with equal parts gleaming guitars and distorted, semi-frenzied guitars. Cuts like "Seven" and "Round" lean towards a faster approach of evolved hardcore that could easily be lumped in with the Dischord sound, hinting at the band's roots in the hardcore scene. Meanwhile "In Circles" and "Grendel" are much more delicate, focusing on the melody and allowing the vocals to become a focal point. Whether it is the eschewing guitars taking the lead, the soaring vocal melodies of Jeremy Enigk dominating the landscape, or the adventurous rhythm and guitar combinations, these songs are always endearing to listen to. Tacked onto Diary are two rare cuts from an early 7" release, one of which is only available here, the other was re-recorded for LP2. They are a nice bonus for casual fans, but more involved ones likely own these in some form.
With their second full-length, LP2, the quartet refined their sound, delving into dynamic rock at points, but still holding onto their approach taken on Diary. Perhaps the most noticeable change would be Enigk's vocals. His once partially strained vocals now gave way to more harmonized delivery, though he does let loose on occasion. Also, the guitars that once dominated the songs with distorted bombast have frequently been replaced with various noodlings that brings to mind My Bloody Valentine. I think "8" might be one of the band's strongest songs in their entire catalog. The juxtaposition of the light opening, the upbeat mid-section, and the gnarling guitars at the close are as close to perfect as you can come. Even though the song is older, it still fits, which is a testament to the style of the band. It only takes one listen to hear the influence in any one of the hundreds of thousands of bands currently playing dive bars and mid-sized clubs around the globe.
With both albums Sunny Day Real Estate helped shape a period of music and their influence is undeniable. With the band's latest reunion tour and these reissues, Sunny Day Real Estate is once again being appreciated for the impact that they had on a generation of music fans many of them now musicians in their own right. And now, with the group playing a new song on their tour, we have hopes that this current reunion will last just a tad longer, long enough to have another album released in the coming months.
Diary: 9.0
LP2: 8.5
