Sunny Day Real Estate — Sunny Day Real Estate [reissue]

By the time Sunny Day Real Estate were ready to record their follow up to their stellar debut, they were a band in name only. The decision to split had already been made, but the quartet decided to follow through on the work they had already done and create what would be their swansong — at least until 1997 when three-quarters of the band reunited for the first time.

Although it was roundly ignored when released, 1995's "The Pink Album" (as it's come to be known) was a slow burner that's become a fan favourite both due to its less visceral, more complex songwriting and the air of mystery that surrounded it. Unlike Diary, lead singer Jeremy Enigk's lyrics were not included with album, and the band never toured in support of it. Even the stark pink cover — apparently the result of an off-the-cuff comment to the Sub Pop publicity department — has been mythologized.

Rounding out this reissue are a pair of LP2-era B-sides that help close this tumultuous period in the band's career. Though Diary will always remain the go-to album for newbies, The Pink Album is ripe for both reappraisal and discovery. Despite the acrimonious conditions under which it was made, LP2 is a towering achievement, a worthy follow-up to it's highly regarded predecessor.

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