Customer Reviews

Triptych

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Not many hard rock bands have spread their wings as far as The Tea Party has in just four albums. In the past, the trio were always about expanding their musical horizons. Each new record saw the band create new sounds and in essence, recreate themselves. But on TripTych, the bands fourth release (already available in Canada), the band decided to meld all their previous incarnations together on one record, as well as implementing another new style. The first sound you hear is the hard driving electronic rock sound the group created for Transmission(their third record), songs like Touch and Great Big Lie are a great showcase for lead singer Jeff Martin's Jim Morrison like growl. Then on songs like Chimera, the middle eastern flair the band put on it's second album The Edges of Twilight resonates strongly. Best of all though is the bands creation of a new lighter pop rock sound on tracks like Heaven Coming Down with its U2 like guitar sound, that hasn't been heard on any previous record. With the combination of such sounds on one album, The Tea Party at once are able to expand their long time fans view of them, but also allow new listeners to get a sense of what The Tea Party is all about. The best song is the sweet romance found on Taking Me Away with its lush sounding chorus. TripTych is the most complete sounding record the band has ever done, which makes it a must have.

A great Cd by great band... nothing I can say that the other reviews dont...

But dont buy this version! The "extra track" (13-church bells) is part of the regular versions of this album. *There is nothing special about this version* Buy the album, but chose a cheaper version.

Don't get me wrong, this is a great album. But avoid the "Extra Tracks Import". The extra track (singular) is a hidden track: "Clock Noise". It's 60 seconds of a grandfather clock ringing, nothing more. No music, no lyrics. Definitely not worth a few extra dollars.

Why this amazingly talented band is not huge in every country on the planet is the biggest musical injustice of the 1990's. Listening to the Tea Party is like having your innermost emotions sung to you by a man with a beautifully seductive and rich vocal style that is often compared to Jim Morrison's, but in my estimations is much more compelling, powerful, and definately has a superior range. TRIPtych is a poetic and musical materpeice, and has completely surpassed my high expectations for their 4th album (5th if you include Alhambra). Their musical growth since their first album Spendor Solis, which at the time seemed like it couldn't be topped, has been phenomonal. The production of TRIPtych is excellent, Jeff's innovations with the guitar (like the harmony accompanying his vocals on These Living Arms)adds texture to every track. Each song blends seemlessly with the next, and when it's over you left wanting more. For those who might question whether they can pull the same sound off on stage, they can. At a recent show in Toronto, songs like Heaven Coming Down (the biggest selling song of the year in Canada) and , The Messenger ( their first ever cover), and Gone (which features violin, cello, and viola)already sounded as familiar as older songs like Fire in The Head and Temptation. Underground, These Living Arms, and Chimera are also outstanding tracks. The final word - if you have liked past Tea Party albums you'll love this record. If you are new to Tea Party, this cd should be an enlightening introduction to a band who will hopefully be huge in the next millenium. For the few who liked early Tea Party and feel left out in the cold with TRIPtych - listen to this album again. Open your minds, and realize that a band is made up of human beings who change and grow. I see alot of musical and spirtual growth in this album, and hope that it continues. This is cutting edge, it incorprates amazing lyricism, with indian mystism, classic rock, and a late 90's sound that blows away every other so called alternative rock band in the charts at the moment.

well, i reviewed this album back in august of 99 and my affection for it has only grown with time. this album is an amazing alchemy of intellect and talent. the lyrics are enough to blow me away time after time, thousands of rotations later. "great big lie" - an outright rejection of organized religion. "underground" - an autobiographical tale of "a very wicked man", as jeff martin usually introduces it. "the messenger" - the band's first recorded cover tune by the brilliant daniel lanois. "samsara" - jeff's take on hesse's watershed "siddhartha." "gone": a love song for "the one that got away". this album is just plain brilliant, no two ways about it. please, i implore you, buy now and listen as soon as possible. music will not be the same for you. if you have the opportunity, see the tea party live - it will make you appreciate the albums all the more.

When Splendor Solis came out everyone said it was a shame that the band had released such a masterpiece for their first album, becuase it would be almost impossible to follow up with something better. Well, they have gotten better every time and there are no doubts anymore. They are not about to disappear like almost every other band in the 90's. The Tea Party (like any true artists) will be composing great songs until thier too old to play their instruments. Buy this album, buy their other albums, go see them live. You will look back and say "Who did my favorite band used to be?"

This is yet another great album by my favorite band. While not as classic as Edges of Twilight it definitely has many strong songs. It also is much more positive than its predecessor Transmission. Anyone who is a fan of the band will love this album, it will not disappoint.Beginning with Touch, an awesome opener, and ending with Gone a beautiful acoustic song. this album features many of the instruments as Edges of Twilight but still incorporates the industrial sound of Transmission. Defnintely recommend it to a Tea Party fan or to anyone who just likes good music

This is one album everyone should have. the tunes are so good, the songs well written. Heaven coming down is one song you will have a heard time to stop listening too. The Cd starts with a hard hitting song "Touch" , then goes down to slower songs that are still upbeat. When Jeff Martin signs you can sense what he feels. Underground has really good effects and really good vocals. Great Big lie is all about those many religions. Overall this album is discussing many subjects. The tea party are really good muscisians i really doubt that any band out there can play as good as they can. get this album it's a must have! my favorite songs are Heaven Coming Down, Underground, the Messenger, These living arms. You might also wanna check other albums by This amazing Canadien Band. Transmission, Edges of Twilight and Splendor solis. All These albums are in my all time favorites list! They are so great, that it is hard to beleive a band can produce this many good albums! TRUST ME!

This CD ipitomizes the musical journey of the Tea Party perfectly, taking the best pieces and techniques from all previous albums and amalgamating them into one great CD. TripTYCH takes the balladesque lyrics and melodies of Splendor Solis and fuses them with the experimental samplings of Edges of Twilight while retaining just enough of the dark techo edge sustained in Transmission. The CD heads in a charged new direction while staying true to the band's roots. A great CD for old fans and new fans alike.

this is directed at tea party fans: those of you that are in to tea party understand the creativity of their music, the passion behind it, and the distinct feeling you can get from listening to one of their albums. transmission was a marked change over into electronic music which i embraced just as much as splendor solis and edges of twilight... what was it that seemed to corrupt them somewhat on this album? i daresay, radio-friendliness? their most popular single now, heaven coming down, is--i cringe because it's so difficult to say--deviates very little from the horrible, yet catchy and therefore popular to the masses, songs of matchbox 20 or third eye blind or goo goo dolls, etc etc etc. the songs have simply become too melodious; messanger being another song seemingly devised to the radios and the masses. tea party, i thought was never about this. the songs lack the overall passion of the previous albums, and arguably excessive use electronic sounds. still far superior than many many bands and albums out there, but still not nearly living up the the pedestal i've placed tea party in the past. sacrafice much to see them live.