Search - Jeremy Enigk :: Return of the Frog Queen

Regained! A little of a lost paradise

Campbell Roark | 07/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Do you remember the feeling of being on a fairground carousel for the first time? That feeling of floating and turning, that is only a fleeting memory? Well, here it is, recaptured on this album for half an hour, by SDRE's Jeremy Enigk. Mr Enigk recreates a time when plants were tall and mysterious, details of a pebble fasinating and the silvery trail of a snail a thing of complete wonder: Childhood in all it's whirling magical splendor. Inanimate objects reveal strange personalities. Limits are unknown. Dreams are real. Yet within lies sadness. A thread of loss and unrequited love winds through every song. This sense of longing, accompanied by a glimmer of hope, has been pulled out from somewhere deep within and given substance. A beautiful album."

An album that will grow on you - Sunny Day and Enigk fans wi

C. Cross | 12/31/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The first couple of times I listened to "Return Of The Frog Queen" I hated it. I loved "Explain" and "Shade Of The Black Hat" (the catchiest and most memorable ones here) while the rest just didn't seem as good. Over time, though, I realized that the songs were intended to be more interesting than catchy, and interesting they are indeed. Most of the album is pretty slow sounding and is definitely not meant for the MTV crowd, but give them time and you will love them just as much as the two great songs here (the ones I mentioned). Jeremy's voice is still as good as it ever was on a Sunny Day Real Estate album, and the lyrics are, again, well-written and worth paying close attention to. The musicianship here is solid, unique and interesting, but I think the production could use a bit of work. All things considered it's a very good album, but what gives it a "5" is the inclusion of these two great songs. I think that Jeremy Enigk and Sunny Day Real Estate as well as singer/songwriter fans will love it if they give it enough time to sink in. Absolutely recommended!



Highlights include:

"Explain"

"Shade Of The Black Hat"

the rest is good, too"

Excellent lo-fi stuff

Shadowgraphs | 04/05/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this CD to satisfy those cravings I've had for new Sunny Day stuff that have gone unsatisfied due to only having three songs by their present incarnation (a 3-piece group known as The Fire Theft). I expected this to be good, but nowhere near the caliber I've come to expect from the greatest inde band on Earth. Let's just say that I was pleasantly surprised.In terms of Enigk's recordings with Sunny Day Real Estate, only Lp2 is better than this. Every song is incredible, subconciously messing with the brain by making it think that the music is simple when it really is extremely complex and vice versa. It sounds like Neutral Milk Hotel's classic In The Aeroplane Over the Sea with more empathis on musicality (vocals, orchestration, ect...) than profound lyrics, containing the same level of energy and playfulness. Like the aforementioned album, this is a celebration of life to the sound of an acoustic guitar accompanied by a few 'traditional" instruments (in this case, a full orchestra which is surprisingly subtle in its arrangements). Jeremy is an expert songwriter, as indicated by the mastery found here on every song, from the Lp2-esque "Abegail Anne" to "Explain," which may very well be the best song Enigk ever wrote with any group, to the musical palindrome of "Fallen Heart." Do not delay in picking up a copy of this. You will not regret it."