A Colores

Tristeza | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 22, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Better Looking
• ASIN: B000BKSJ34
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #74,868 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Bromas

2. Balabaristas

3. Abrazo Distante

4. La Tierra Sutil

5. Liquid Pyramids

6. Halo Heads

7. Wand

8. Aereoaviones

9. Cuchillos De Hielo

10. Stumble On Air

11. Harmonic Sea

12. Palindrome Dome

Editorial Reviews

San Diego's instrumental post-rock quintet came together after playing in such seminal San Diego bands as The Locust, Crimson Curse, Swing Kids, and Gogogo Airheart among others. This is their third full-length since the release of their critically acclaimed debut Spine & Sensory in 2000. It has layers and textures akin to Boards Of Canada and Amon Tobin. Melodic and inventive, emotive and inspirational, the music sings so eloquently throughout, it is nothing less then revelatory. There's great hope and optimism present here; a sanguine feeling that permeates the whole album. A colorful journey beyond instrumental post-rock, delving into the darker realms of modern psychedelia. Better Looking. 2005.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fresh sound that is both tranquil and uplifting, March 10, 2006

By 

P. Getchell "I/O Psych'er" (Normal, IL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Colores (Audio CD)

Tristeza takes full advantage of the instrumental format to bring you songs such as Liquid Pyramid, which deliver a full sound that can pull the stress and angst right out of you. I am a graduate student that needs uninterrupted reading time, and my trusty mp3 player helps with that. The absence of vocals coupled with a smooth sound make this album ideal for this application. The other strong point of this album is that it is one that you could put in your player, hit play, and listen to it in its entirety.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easily one of the best instrumental albums of 2005, November 25, 2005

By 

Joseph Shartrand (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Colores (Audio CD)

I had been waiting for this cd to come out ever since I heard two tracks that were put up weeks before the release date. I've been a fan of Tristeza for a while but it wasn't until I picked up this album that I appreciated them the way I do now. The release date of this cd was right around the same time they played in my home town. I watched their live show before getting the cd and most of the songs in the set were from the new album. I was captivated the whole time in a way I've never been at a show before. These new songs possess a certain energy and feeling Tristeza has never showed us before, whether this is due to the addition of two new members since their last release is hard to tell. They've kept the same drummer but his playing has never sounded so good, it seems as if everything he's recorded on this cd is perfect. The addition of a new keyboardist definitely contributed to the change in sound, and definitely for the better. Now their sound is darker than ever before, but it seems like this transition was necessary. Their older stuff was plagued with reviews of it being too repetitive or boring, as if it wasn't going anywhere. On A Colores, it's the opposite. The music is now so ambitious and full of mystery. It keeps a somewhat consistant feel but none of the songs sound the same. To put it simply, this album is a must have for anyone interested in good music.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars They can't help it if they're beautiful...., August 31, 2007

By 

Rich Grace (Guerneville, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Colores (Audio CD)

Yo La Tengo meets Pat Metheny, or possibly what U2 would sound like if they fired Bono, hired a keyboardist and became a jazz-rock band. I first heard this San Diego group on Pandora, and I'm frankly stunned. It seems as though this band cannot help themselves; every time they touch their instruments they create beauty, almost without conscious thought. This is a remarkably consistent album, and specifying standout tracks is almost beside the point this time. Perfect working music, filled with melodies over arpeggio patterns shared among guitars and keyboards. No acid-band noodling either. Comfortably avoids the boring "Windham Hill effect" and self-indulgent soloitis common to so many instrumental bands. All in all this is one of the best finds of the year for me. Tristeza is ineffable.