How It Feels to Be Something On [EXPLICIT LYRICS]

Sunny Day Real Estate

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 22, 1998)
• Original Release Date: September 22, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Sub Pop
• ASIN: B00000C3ZQ
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (73 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #47,993 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Sunny Day Real Estate broke up in 1995 when bassist Nate Mendel and drummer William Goldsmith left to join the Foo Fighters or when frontman Jeremy Enigk converted to Christianity, depending on whom you ask. The band got back together in the summer of 1997 (minus Mendel, replaced by former Mommyheads bassist Jeff Palmer) to jam, and a full album blossomed. The result, How It Feels to Be Something On, is nothing short of stunning. Poking their heads into the gaping jaws of yearning, Enigk and company unravel tight, atypical rock songs to reveal a shimmering spool of uncertain longing. Almost sounding like an unlikely hybrid of the Smiths and Yes, How It Feels... is the grandest slab of musical sympathy since Smashing Pumpkins' Siamese Dream, equal parts intensity and sadness for the sing-along set. One of 1998's best albums. --Jason Josephes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable work of art., August 3, 2004

By	Jason "Hastaj00" (CaLiFoRNIA) - See all my reviews

If you go back and look at some of the reviews here glowing with praise, you'll have a good idea of how good "How it Feels to Be Something On" really is. All I can do is add my two cents to the collective whole and hope it encourages anyone and everyone who is undecided about buying such an album to, well, do so.

Sunny Day Real Estate is one of my favorite bands. I have enjoyed every one of their releases considerably, and it's a shame that they aren't marked as one of the better or more popular bands of the 90's. Began with "Diary", went along with "LP2", skipped to "The Rising Tide", and came back to "How it Feels"; saved the best for last, I guess.

Hmmm, where to start. "Pillars" is an absolutely stunning, restrained composition that is laboriously constructed and beautifully hypnotic. The climax comes around 3:13 in a breathtaking combination of instrument and vocal that is nothing less than euphoric. Absolutely haunting. Roses.... OK, I'm going to refrain from fanatically describing each and every song. I can do that. I can -- really. Hmm...

I'm pondering the thought of exactly "why" this album is Sunny Day's strongest -- or, for that matter, one of the strongest albums I own period -- and I'm not really coming up with a satisfiable answer. It is, without question, the slowest, the most introspective, and the least "rocking" of the band's four studio releases, and upon very first listen, might not knock you flat like "Diary" or even "The Rising Tide". That said, it inevitably burrowed itself deep within my mind -- my soul -- and I swear to God, everytime I listen to it, it's pure joy. I don't know what else to say.

I really did get a kick out of reading the past reviews for this album here, as there were some really great ones. One, in particular, went on about how a work of art is not merely an external object, but can, very much, be a piece of yourself. It's a reflection, a representation, of you. That review inparticular really connected with me, because it is exactly how I feel with this album. If I recommend this album to someone, I will do it with all my heart, and know that I'm in fact sharing a deep part of my very self with them at that.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars sunny day is the bestest band in the whole wide world!, October 18, 1999

By A Customer

this record is the finest masterpiece ever. the most cryptic, caressing lyrics brought to you by the finest voice in all the land and drums impossible not beat along with in the air. these guys are the kings of the underground, coming soon to a major label near you, and they deserve it. i don't know what else to say- how can perfection be described?

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Musically, their most accomplished album, June 25, 2004

By	J A W (Norman, OK United States) - See all my reviews

The shifting tones of "Roses in Water" and the climactic buildup of "The Prophet" are worth price of the album. The first time you hear "Roses", you'll probably go "....ewwww". But it grows on you, as you can feel the layers of the melody lines dig into your skin. It's borderline classical, and excellent rock music. Pillars, Every Shining Time, and the title track are also good songs.

This album isn't as "rocking" or "melodic" as the LP2 is: that one kept one foot in it's so called "emo" roots, whereas this album has splintered off into its own category. LP2 is more adrenaline oriented, this is more meditative, experimental. Jeremy tests his vocal range, Dan tests his arpeggios, and this plays well. Both albums should be purchased, as both are pillars of the 90s indie rock scene.