Review Summary: Sunny Day Real Estate's second album is their most intriguing, and for me, life-changing.
During the process of writing and recording this album, Jeremy Enigk, the lead singer, became a born-again Christian. He began to question what his future held for him after the enormous praise of Diary, the band’s debut. Should he use his success to spread the word of God? Could he manipulate the band for God with any dignity? Jeremy’s confusion led to some of the most powerful, emotional vocals I have had the privilege to hear.
Other band members weren’t pleased with Enigk’s actions to alter their direction which marked the beginning of the end for Sunny Day. Fights would frequently occur between the members. It became difficult for the band to get along, but they were still confident to finish their second release.
The most defining characteristic of this album, as mentioned before, is Jeremy’s vocals. Although he wasn’t completely sure which direction he was taking (shown by some lyrics being recorded impromptu and that some lyrics may at times be inaudible) his voice explains the whole story with a pallet of emotion. The unique way this album has been mixed, with the vocals swimming in a pool of powerful instruments, submerged at times, gives the larynx much more force when it attempts to walk on water. Instrumentation found on the album is liable of tucking you in with an addition of a “good night” kiss or creating turbulent waters that make treading water much more of a spectacle for your gaping ears. ‘Red Elephant’ is the quintessence of the juxtaposition witnessed; somewhat of a hum is heard until the chorus releases previous tension resulting in the glorious climax one may find at an altar.
By the time Sunny Day had finished writing and recording, they had split up. This caused the album cover to be pink, the name of it to be LP2, a lack of written lyrics, the use of a song previously released on a 7’ (‘8’), and the use of a song dropped from their album Diary (‘Rodeo Jones’). This is not to say these selections are of no effort or quality. Also, the two bonus tracks released on the 2009 edition do not seemed crammed into the album, but instead fit the flow of the album perfectly.
While many may find LP2 to be satisfying at most, I have acquired an emotional bond with the album. It has restored my religiousness from my childhood, which maybe had then been fueled by ignorance but is now fueled by faith. While I may still not have as great of a relationship with God as I believe I should, I find it healthy for us to take this out every now and then.
