The last time Jeremy Enigk, the singer and songwriter for emo-core pioneers Sunny Day Real Estate and The Fire Theft, released a solo album, Hilary was testifying about Whitewater, Dolly was being cloned, and the Ramones were about to play their last gig. Its been awhile. That album, 1996's RETURN OF THE FROG QUEEN earned Enigk raves from critics and fans alike for its lush pop orchestration and enigmatic lyrics. Since then, he's put out three more discs with Sunny Day, plus The Fire Theft's debut.

Of course, no one who has followed Enigk's roller coaster career -- band break-ups, band reunions, a controversial conversion to Christianity in the mid-90s -- would expect him to be the same person he was 10 years ago. And he's not.

I've grown and changed, mainly spiritually, he says. I think I've become a lot more accepting of things I wasn't back then. Through experiences, I've opened up a little bit. You just grow up.

WORLD WAITS will be released October 17 through Enigk's own Lewis Hollow Records, which will be distributed by Reincarnate Records through SONY BMG.