With each album that SDRE puts out, Jeremy Enigk progressively sounds more and more like Geddy Lee from Rush. When the live album was released less than a year ago on Sub Pop, I heard the album come on over the P.A. at work. I recognized the song, but couldn't remember who the original artist was, and couldn't tell who the artist with the terrible voice covering the song was. When the next song came on, I realized they were both Sunny Day songs, and slowly realized this was that sad state that the genius' behind Diary had progressed to.
That aside, I've since become acquainted with more of the band's catalog than their debut, and though I still can't listen to the live album, I've gotten used to the voice to the point where I really don't even notice anything strange about it at all. Pared down to 3 members, The Rising Tide is the band's fifth release, and features 11 intricately orchestrated, diverse rock and roll songs.
I always find myself skipping the first track, to listen to "One," the second song on the album. At first I found the chorus line: "Everything and everyone and in the end we all are one," to be slightly annoying, since I don't consider "one" and "one" to rhyme since they are the same word, yet there I am, over and over listening to the song, waking up this morning with the song in my head.
Overall, I think this is a great album. Around my office it's been getting mixed reactions from those who've heard it, but I feel it's a highly listenable, enjoyable album. I don't feel it's as ground breaking as their debut, but what is? There's not a single song on the album I don't like, yet I just can't bring myself to rave about it. Probably the best way to describe the album is to say a good album, by a great band. Take a chance and check it out.
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Michial FarmerI absolutely hated this record the first time I listened to it, and from the looks of the reviews, quite a few other critics did as well. I was prepared, however, as a friend told me I wouldn't like The Rising Tide the first few times I listened to it, and, proving him right, the album definitely has grown on me. The Rising Tide opens with the ferocious "Killed By an Angel," in which lead singer…Similar sounding releases
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