Spine & Sensory [Original recording remastered]

Tristeza | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 17, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Better Looking
• ASIN: B0002IQFVS
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #263,199 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Known as much for their consistent touring as their prolific output, San Diego’s instrumental post-rock quintet Tristeza formed in 1997. The members came together after playing in such seminal San Diego bands as The Locust, Crimson Curse, Swing Kids and Gogogo Airheart, among others. In promotion of their first single, Tristeza toured three times, making the 7" a best-seller and proving that the band could pull off their intricate instrumental sound onstage as well as in the studio.

Soon after, Tristeza recorded their first full-length, Spine and Sensory, to huge critical acclaim. This is a reissue of that long out-of-print disc. The album has been remastered at Digiprep Studios in Hollywood (who master most Rhino reissues) and expanded with three hard-to-find tracks. "Macrame" and "La Verdad" were featured on the very limited Tristeza Insound Tour CD, while "Pink Elephants" was featured on the out-of-print Rocket Racer 7".

Jimmy LaValle, featured on this release, is now playing full-time as The Album Leaf (Subpop) and Stephen Swesey plays with Los Angeles based Languis (Plug Research). Although they’ve been in seclusion for the past two years, Tristeza is currently reforming with original members Christopher Sprague, Luis Hermosillo and James Lehner. The Tristeza saga is set to continue

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Golden Hill, August 13, 2005

By 

Frank Saponare "fcs3" (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spine & Sensory (Audio CD)

I first saw tristeza 7 years ago at an independant music festival in Wayne, Michigan.

The fest was centered around hardcore punk (with a generous handful of fugazi rip-offs) and it lasted three days long. At some point during day 2, a band dressed in all dark clothing took the stage and didn't even address the crowd as to the beginning of their set. This faux pas made me raise an eyebrow. They started playing this slow, yet driving music and i just stood there in front watching...waiting for the vocals to kick in. They never came.
At the time (being that all i was listening to was thrash), my predictable ADD reaction to this would've been to walk away and bum around the vinyl distros, but i didn't. I just stood there stumped with my jaw dropped wondering where the hell this band came from. My tastes were instantly expanded and my record collection changed forever.

this record, in ways, doesn't stand up to the likes of (some)Mogwai, Tortoise, don caballero, Directions In Music...but for a debut full length from a young band (a bunch of San Diegons *and one hometown boy*, coming from a scene where no one seemed to be slowing down) its worth the listen. Hopefully it will turn a few on to their later, more mature material and hopefully those few will get a chance to see them live...its worth it.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My my my..pink elephants CAN fly, November 2, 2005

By 

J. Gonzalez "jessie bunny" (orlando) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spine & Sensory (Audio CD)

from start to finish this cd had my attention...golden hill just pulls you in and that's how it all begins my friend...songs like "The Marrionette" and "Cinematography" inspire you and bring you up into the clouds, and "Pink Elephants" is a sentimental journey through euphoria...with melodious guitar stylings and slow yet grooving drum beats and bass lines...a perfect blend of piano and guitar...this was put together nicely..

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars i love every turn, every repetition, every jazzy high hat!, February 3, 2004

By 

"julieann_" (pittsburgh, pa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spine & Sensory (Audio CD)

it's now 2004 and this album still gets played all the time ( at least it's a favorite in my stereo- and should be in yours ) spine and sensory deserves every bit of recognition an album could get- from track placement, to cover design and then some. the guitars are inctricate and precise, the bass is overwhelmingly catchy and complimentary to the drums and piano combinations. listen to this cd- see that it was recorded in 1997 while you were in junior high and prepare to be dumbfounded and amazed. these guys need to break out of san fran and get the heck on over to the east coast cuz i missed them the last time they were in pgh. which was like 3 years ago!!