Diary

Description

A passion to create uncommonly expressive rock and roll fueledJeremy Enigk(guitar/vocals),Dan Hoerner(guitar/vocals),William Goldsmith(drums), andNate Mendel(bass) from the earliest incarnations ofSunny Day Real Estate.It was quickly clear theyd all stumbled upon something new and exciting.Enigks yearning, high-register voice was a direct contrast toHoerners primal delivery, imbuing the music with a previously unrealized level of emotion, and whenMendelreturned from tour, it was decidedSunny Daywould henceforth be a quartet, withEnigkon lead vocals.

At the time, grunge had turned Seattle into the epicenter of the music industry, making worldwide superstars out of hometown heroesNirvana, Pearl Jam,andAlice in Chains. ButSunny Dayforged its own path, deriving a unique sound from its members collective talents.It was guys that played hardcore experimenting with actually writing songs,Goldsmithrecalls of the bands early days. Hardcore is really fast and out of control. There was still songwriting and arranging, but this was a whole new thing, learning how to leave space. We had these melodies that were kind of triumphant; they matched what we were feeling.

In May 1993,Sunny Dayplayed just its second show ever at Seattles Crocodile Caf, before a sparse crowd that just happened to include Sub Pop co-founderJonathan Poneman. He left blown away and determined to sign the band to his label, which he did within a matter of weeks. The thing that was so emotionally engaging about the music was that the songs were so beautiful and evocative, he says. It was a riveting experience.

Ponemanenlisted producerBrad Wood(Liz Phair, Smashing Pumpkins) to produceSunny Days Sub Pop debut, which the band recorded at his Idful Studios in Chicago at the end of its maiden North American tour.Diarywas released on May 10, 1994 and, despite substantial rock radio airplay for Seven and In Circles, failed to appear on anyBillboardchart. The band wrapped itself in mystery, granting only one interview (to British journalistEverett True) and distributing a single publicity photo. The critical reception was generally positive (poignant and painfully revealing, saidCMJ; a stark, blinding ray of sunshine, offeredKerrang!).But it proved a remarkably consistent seller, eventually exceeding 230,000 units to make it Sub Pops seventh-biggest release of all time.

Sub Pop Recordshas reissuedbothDiaryand the bands second full-length album, commonly known asLP2(or The Pink Album for its entirely pink cover). Both re-mastered albums include rare bonus tracks as well as newly written liner notes.

Sunny Day Real EstateDiaryTrack Listing:

1. Seven
2. In Circles
3. Song About an Angel
4. Round
5. 47
6. The Blankets Were the Stairs
7. Pheurton Skeurto
8. Shadows
9. 48
10. Grendel
11. Sometimes
12. 8 (bonus track)
13. 9 (bonus track)