Rich Duncan
12/06/06, 12:56 PM
Jeremy Enigk - World Waits
Record Label: Lewis Hollow Recordings/Reincarnate Music
Release Date: October 16, 2006
Fans of Jeremy Enigk can finally rejoice since the legendary Seattle musician has finally released his sophomore solo effort World Waits ten years after the release of his acclaimed debut Return Of The Frog Queen and three years since his last musical contribution with The Fire Theft. Do not let the tag “solo album” deceive you into thinking this is your standard acoustic driven singer-songwriting affair. World Waits is an album that displays lush, orchestrated melodies that only accentuate an impressive vocal performance by Enigk.
“A New Beginning” is the accurately titled introduction to World Waits, that immediately lets the listener know this is not your average solo record. The track starts out simple enough until the orchestra parts kick in and you are nodding your head thinking, “This is going to be a special album”. “Been Here Before” is the first track where Enigk’s unique vocals are present, and right away his wispy vocals demand your attention. In Enigk’s past, he was famous for not enunciating his lyrics audibly sometimes, but on World Waits every word is clearly audible. The track is tranquil at first and floats along, but has melodic rock undertones throughout the track that will satisfy people who still yearn for a Sunny Day Real Estate reunion.
“City Tonight” is the first real rock track found on World Waits, following the calm acoustic melodies on “River To Sea”. The track opens with sparse drumming and samples that accentuate Enigk’s raspy opening delivery. For those who are looking to get their Enigk fix with a little rock edge behind it, “City Tonight” will undoubtedly be among your favorite tracks from World Waits. The chorus from this song has been stuck in my head ever since I first heard it. This track makes me wish Enigk would put out a more rock-oriented album sometime in the near future, through either The Fire Theft or another band if necessary because he sounds damn good on this track.
“World Waits” is primarily a piano driven song that is the perfect song for dark and gloomy rainy days. Enigk highlights the delicate side of his vocal ability more on this song, and every single note just oozes emotion. Although the piano is prominent in the beginning of the track, towards the end a melancholic stretch hits where an accompanying string section perfectly accentuates the piano melodies that have faded into the background amongst the strings and other instruments. Whereas “City Tonight” is the likely candidate for “favorite song” for those looking to hear Enigk rock out, fans of his mellower work will most likely chose “World Waits” as their favorite track.
World Waits closes out with “Burn”, the perfect follow-up to “World Waits” because it also opens with beautiful piano melodies. “Burn” showcases everything that makes World Waits the absolutely fantastic album that it is (everything except the straightforward rock of “City Tonight”) with string sections, piano, and Enigk’s soaring vocals coming together to create an awe inspiring close to an impressive release.
Almost every shred of press Enigk receives, interviews and reviews alike, stresses his role in Sunny Day Real Estate, the poster band of the 90’s emo craze. While Enigk will always be associated with Sunny Day Real Estate, World Waits is an album that shows Enigk’s talents are not limited to the work contained on all of the Sunny Day Real Estate releases. World Waits is one of the best solo records I have heard in quite some time and I hope this album gets the recognition it deserves. This album is a testament to the musical genius that Jeremy Enigk has harnessed throughout his career. I hope that this record helps to highlight this genius so that he can get the full respect he deserves without people constantly comparing everything he does to his past in Sunny Day Real Estate and their preconceived expectations. World Waits is a great record and one of my personal favorites, so if you remotely consider yourself a fan of Jeremy Enigk, this album is a required purchase.
Record Label: Lewis Hollow Recordings/Reincarnate Music
Release Date: October 16, 2006
Fans of Jeremy Enigk can finally rejoice since the legendary Seattle musician has finally released his sophomore solo effort World Waits ten years after the release of his acclaimed debut Return Of The Frog Queen and three years since his last musical contribution with The Fire Theft. Do not let the tag “solo album” deceive you into thinking this is your standard acoustic driven singer-songwriting affair. World Waits is an album that displays lush, orchestrated melodies that only accentuate an impressive vocal performance by Enigk.
“A New Beginning” is the accurately titled introduction to World Waits, that immediately lets the listener know this is not your average solo record. The track starts out simple enough until the orchestra parts kick in and you are nodding your head thinking, “This is going to be a special album”. “Been Here Before” is the first track where Enigk’s unique vocals are present, and right away his wispy vocals demand your attention. In Enigk’s past, he was famous for not enunciating his lyrics audibly sometimes, but on World Waits every word is clearly audible. The track is tranquil at first and floats along, but has melodic rock undertones throughout the track that will satisfy people who still yearn for a Sunny Day Real Estate reunion.
“City Tonight” is the first real rock track found on World Waits, following the calm acoustic melodies on “River To Sea”. The track opens with sparse drumming and samples that accentuate Enigk’s raspy opening delivery. For those who are looking to get their Enigk fix with a little rock edge behind it, “City Tonight” will undoubtedly be among your favorite tracks from World Waits. The chorus from this song has been stuck in my head ever since I first heard it. This track makes me wish Enigk would put out a more rock-oriented album sometime in the near future, through either The Fire Theft or another band if necessary because he sounds damn good on this track.
“World Waits” is primarily a piano driven song that is the perfect song for dark and gloomy rainy days. Enigk highlights the delicate side of his vocal ability more on this song, and every single note just oozes emotion. Although the piano is prominent in the beginning of the track, towards the end a melancholic stretch hits where an accompanying string section perfectly accentuates the piano melodies that have faded into the background amongst the strings and other instruments. Whereas “City Tonight” is the likely candidate for “favorite song” for those looking to hear Enigk rock out, fans of his mellower work will most likely chose “World Waits” as their favorite track.
World Waits closes out with “Burn”, the perfect follow-up to “World Waits” because it also opens with beautiful piano melodies. “Burn” showcases everything that makes World Waits the absolutely fantastic album that it is (everything except the straightforward rock of “City Tonight”) with string sections, piano, and Enigk’s soaring vocals coming together to create an awe inspiring close to an impressive release.
Almost every shred of press Enigk receives, interviews and reviews alike, stresses his role in Sunny Day Real Estate, the poster band of the 90’s emo craze. While Enigk will always be associated with Sunny Day Real Estate, World Waits is an album that shows Enigk’s talents are not limited to the work contained on all of the Sunny Day Real Estate releases. World Waits is one of the best solo records I have heard in quite some time and I hope this album gets the recognition it deserves. This album is a testament to the musical genius that Jeremy Enigk has harnessed throughout his career. I hope that this record helps to highlight this genius so that he can get the full respect he deserves without people constantly comparing everything he does to his past in Sunny Day Real Estate and their preconceived expectations. World Waits is a great record and one of my personal favorites, so if you remotely consider yourself a fan of Jeremy Enigk, this album is a required purchase.