Sunny Day Real Estate - Diary

Isbjørn · 07-14-2013, 09:08 AM

Sunny Day Real Estate - Diary

About time I wrote my first review, and to me, Diary was an obvious choice.
I was familiar with Sunny Day before I bought it. Their songs Seven and In Circles had been in my playlist for a while already, and Mankycaaant tipped me about this album in a private message months ago. I got the impression that it was an insanely important album in the reinvention of emo, and after hearing it, I understood why. This is completely different from Rites of Spring and Moss Icon-esque emo, but the roaring energic blasts and desperate screams coming right out of the preceding soft instrumentation and mumbled vocals show that this band must be highly influenced by the previously mentioned bands. *deep breath* The lyrics are vague, but diary-like, appropriate for an album with a title like this.

Track listing with mini-reviews

1. Seven
This was the first song I heard from Sunny Day. It's catchy, raw, emotive, and I like it. The music video fits the song perfectly, and helps give the song a darker mood.

2. In Circles
It runs slower than Seven, but the slow parts are followed by energic blasts that make this song representative of the whole album.

3. Song About an Angel
I read in the album booklet that this song made a Sub Pop employee cry during their second show. You know what? It made me cry too. This is probably my favourite song on the album.

4. Round
This doesn't really sound like the previous tracks. The lyrics, though few, are self-critical, but the lead guitar riff gives this song a more uplifting mood than the previous three songs.

5. 47
It's amazing, and another favourite of mine. It's very melodic, which makes the song feel "safe" to listen to.

6. The Blankets Were the Stairs
I felt that it didn't stand out very much, but it had some good parts. The distant vocals trying really hard to reach you is what makes the song, and the different parts in the middle and at the end of the song are my favourites. I think the reason this song isn't a favourite of mine is that it is repetitive (inferior, inferior, we get it) in a way that's just not for me.

7. Pheurton Skeurto
Only piano and vocals. It's different, and I like it.

8. Shadows
Easily one of the best tracks. It starts out with a relaxed, safe atmosphere, and then there is the sudden emotional booms that I now associate with Sunny Day Real Estate.

9. 48
I don't know what to say about it - the contrasts remind me of Shadows, but I feel that they are much more extreme on this track. I love it.

10. Grendel
Only two lines (that are in the booklet): "The rain was there to wash away my tears, I wanted to be them but instead I destroyed myself", and they are mixed up on top of twinkly guitars that must have inspired several later emo bands like Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate) and Old Gray.

11. Sometimes
A relaxed and happy atmosphere, but it still contains those desperate almost-screams I love.
_________________

Overall rating: 9/10
By far one of the best albums I've ever heard, but a perfect rating would require every single song to be flawless. I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't listened to it yet.

Kate_Smith · 08-09-2013, 05:58 AM

so nice)) thanks a lot. it cheered me up!

07-14-2013, 09:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
Isbjørn cooler commie than elph Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: In a hole, help Posts: 2,811	Sunny Day Real Estate - Diary Sunny Day Real Estate - Diary About time I wrote my first review, and to me, Diary was an obvious choice. I was familiar with Sunny Day before I bought it. Their songs Seven and In Circles had been in my playlist for a while already, and Mankycaaant tipped me about this album in a private message months ago. I got the impression that it was an insanely important album in the reinvention of emo, and after hearing it, I understood why. This is completely different from Rites of Spring and Moss Icon-esque emo, but the roaring energic blasts and desperate screams coming right out of the preceding soft instrumentation and mumbled vocals show that this band must be highly influenced by the previously mentioned bands. deep breath The lyrics are vague, but diary-like, appropriate for an album with a title like this. Track listing with mini-reviews 1. Seven This was the first song I heard from Sunny Day. It's catchy, raw, emotive, and I like it. The music video fits the song perfectly, and helps give the song a darker mood. 2. In Circles It runs slower than Seven, but the slow parts are followed by energic blasts that make this song representative of the whole album. 3. Song About an Angel I read in the album booklet that this song made a Sub Pop employee cry during their second show. You know what? It made me cry too. This is probably my favourite song on the album. 4. Round This doesn't really sound like the previous tracks. The lyrics, though few, are self-critical, but the lead guitar riff gives this song a more uplifting mood than the previous three songs. 5. 47 It's amazing, and another favourite of mine. It's very melodic, which makes the song feel "safe" to listen to. 6. The Blankets Were the Stairs I felt that it didn't stand out very much, but it had some good parts. The distant vocals trying really hard to reach you is what makes the song, and the different parts in the middle and at the end of the song are my favourites. I think the reason this song isn't a favourite of mine is that it is repetitive (inferior, inferior, we get it) in a way that's just not for me. 7. Pheurton Skeurto Only piano and vocals. It's different, and I like it. 8. Shadows Easily one of the best tracks. It starts out with a relaxed, safe atmosphere, and then there is the sudden emotional booms that I now associate with Sunny Day Real Estate. 9. 48 I don't know what to say about it - the contrasts remind me of Shadows, but I feel that they are much more extreme on this track. I love it. 10. Grendel Only two lines (that are in the booklet): "The rain was there to wash away my tears, I wanted to be them but instead I destroyed myself", and they are mixed up on top of twinkly guitars that must have inspired several later emo bands like Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate) and Old Gray. 11. Sometimes A relaxed and happy atmosphere, but it still contains those desperate almost-screams I love. _________________ Overall rating: 9/10 By far one of the best albums I've ever heard, but a perfect rating would require every single song to be flawless. I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't listened to it yet. __________________ fast(ml) Hear me play the guitar Look, mom! I got a journal Last edited by Isbjørn; 07-22-2013 at 12:22 PM.

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08-09-2013, 05:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
Kate_Smith Groupie Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 12	so nice)) thanks a lot. it cheered me up!