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.

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.