Additional personnel: Larry Packer, Stan Kurtis, Rachel Handman, Michelle Stewart (violin); Ryan Hall, Emily Schaad (viola); Lisa Bressler, Rob Turner (cello); Lou Giordano (programming).

Recorded at Dreamland Recording Studios, West Hurley, New York.

Personnel: Jeremy Enigk (vocals); Dan Hoerner (guitar, electric sitar); Rachel Handman, Larry Packer (violin); Ryan Hall (viola); Rob Turner (cello); William Goldsmith (drums, percussion); Lou Giordano (programming).

Recording information: Dreamland Recording Studio, West Hurley, NY.

Photographer: F. Scott Schafer.

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, The Rising Tide 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" and "Faces in Disguise." Lou Giordano's production gives The Rising Tide an unabashedly big, clean sound that frames Sunny Day's detailed songwriting and arrangements perfectly, giving the restrained, reflective "Tearing in My Heart" and "The Ocean" as much impact as driven tracks like "Snibe" and "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, The Rising Tide is one of Sunny Day Real Estate's -- and 2000's -- most impressive albums. ~ Heather Phares

On its fourth album, THE RISING TIDE, Sunny Day Real Estate severely shifts the established style that had brought it accolades and emulation from dozens of mid-'90s soundalikes. The band's earlier, more somber, emo approach here gives way to flashy flurries of furious extroverted melodies with echoes of '70s progressive rock. The result is a surprise; an overwhelming, rapturous album that both experiments and digs into rock history for inspiration, turning rock cliches into new finds.

Drummer William Goldsmith, always impressive, ascends to an indie-rock echelon reserved for the likes of Zach Barocas (Jawbox, Up On In) with his visionary flourishes, particularly on tracks such as "Killed By an Angel" and the title track. Jeremy Enigk's unique high-pitched vocals are welcome as ever, whether expressing subtle beauty as in "Tearing in My Heart," or wailing over the album's most retro-'70s track, "Television." What sets THE RISING TIDE apart from earlier Sunny Day Real Estate efforts lies in the band's newfound sense of adventure, endearing in a combo whose direction had hitherto seemed set.