How It Feels to Be Something On
Sunny Day Real Estate · 1998
45 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock
Emotional melodies intertwine with intricate guitar work, creating a soundscape that reflects longing and introspection.
Top tracks — play these first
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Every Shining Time You Arrive — This track encapsulates the band's signature blend of melodic intensity and emotional depth, showcasing Jeremy Enigk's haunting vocals alongside intricate guitar interplay.
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How It Feels to Be Something On — The title track explores themes of existential reflection, combining ethereal instrumentation with poignant lyrics that resonate with listeners' own feelings of uncertainty.
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The Shark’s Own Private Fuck — With its dynamic shifts and raw energy, this song highlights the band's ability to balance aggression with introspective lyricism, making it a standout moment on the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's intricate guitar work and emotional dynamics contribute to its distinct sound within the emo genre.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that build in intensity, culminating in the title track, which introduces a more subdued tone.
- Several songs utilize dynamic shifts, alternating between quiet verses and explosive choruses, creating a sense of emotional tension.
- The guitar work is intricate, often employing arpeggiated patterns that complement the vocal melodies, enhancing the introspective feel.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- intricate guitar work for detail
- longing melodies for introspection
- cathartic emotional moments
- thoughtful tracks for reflection
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced albums
- want straightforward structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1998, How It Feels to Be Something On is Sunny Day Real Estate's third album, following their influential 1995 debut Diary. The band was navigating a period of redefined identity after lineup changes, marking a shift towards a more polished and expansive sound while retaining their post-hardcore roots.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Appleseed Cast· Mineral· Jimmy Eat World
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Pillars 4:57
- 2 Roses in Water 3:42
- 3 Every Shining Time You Arrive 4:13
- 4 Two Promises 4:39
- 5 100 Million 5:38
- 6 How It Feels to Be Something On 3:57
- 7 The Prophet 5:13
- 8 Guitar and Video Games 4:09
- 9 The Shark’s Own Private Fuck 4:03
- 10 Days Were Golden 5:08
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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