Splendor Solis (album)

Infobox Album |
Name = Splendor Solis
Type = Album
Artist = The Tea Party


Released = June (Canada), November (Australia), 1993
Recorded = White Crow Audio, Burlington, Vermont
Genre = Rock
Length = 56:07
Label = EMI Music Canada
Chrysalis Records
Producer = Jeff Martin
Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|3|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:1sn20r8at48p link]

Last album = "Capitol Records demo"
(1992)
This album = "Splendor Solis"
(1993)
Next album = "The Edges of Twilight"
(1995)

"Splendor Solis" (1993) is The Tea Party's second album, and their first release on EMI Music Canada. The overall tone of the album is very organic and natural, with many songs featuring 6 and 12 string guitar acoustic guitars, and very little in terms of electronic effects or production techniques.

The album draws heavily on rock and blues of the 1970's, as well as displaying some psychedelic influences. As a result The Tea Party was often compared to Led Zeppelin, a parallel that was reinforced by Jeff Martin playing guitar with violin bow (not unlike Jimmy Page) on "Save Me". Martin's voice and singing style also drew comparisons to that of Jim Morrison, as did some of the album's lyrics.

"Sure," said Stuart Chatwood said of these comparisons "we draw from 70s rock as much as the other influences we've talked about. You can't ignore the power that Led Zeppelin or The Doors had, and there are elements of those influences in our songs, but it's a cop out to then write us off as some retro act. If people listen closely, they'll appreciate the originality of what we're doing, time changes. The fact that Jeff's a rock baritone doesn't justify the laziness of critics who slag him as a Morrison wanna-be."Stuart Chatwood, Turning music into gold April 1994, Beat, Melbourne, Australia.]

"Splendor Solis" was very well received in Canada, reaching platinum status in 1994 (now double platinum in 2000) and earning a Juno nomination for "Best Hard Rock Album". The band was also nominated for "Best New Group". "Splendor Solis" was also The Tea Party's first gold selling album in Australia, where the band had enjoyed great success throughout their career.

Track listing

# "The River" – 5:44
# "Midsummer Day" – 5:58
# "A Certain Slant of Light" – 5:00
# "Winter Solstice" – 2:45
# "Save Me" – 6:35
# "Sun Going down" – 6:31
# "In This Time" – 4:57
# "Dreams of Reason" – 6:19
# "Raven Skies" – 5:17
# "Haze on the Hills" – 2:24
# "The Majestic Song" – 4:37

Singles

*"The River"
*"Save Me"
*"A Certain Slant of Light"Music videos directed by Floria Sigismondi.
*"In This Time"
*"Midsummer Day"

Recurring Songs

"Splendor Solis" includes re-recordings of several songs from The Tea Party's eponymously titled independent album:

*"Midsummer Day"
*"Winter Solstice"
*"Save Me"
*"Sun Going down"
*"Dreams of Reason"

Credits

*Jeff Burrows - drums and percussion
*Stuart Chatwood - bass guitars, cello, art coordination
*Jeff Martin - guitars, vocals, production at White Crow Audio (Burlington, Vermont)
*Glen Robinson - engineering and mixing at at Powerplay Studios (New York City)
*Michael White - executive producer
*Bob Ludwig - remastering at Gateway Mastering Studios (Portland, Maine)
*Steve Cole - art conception and design

References

External links

* [http://www.lyricscrawler.com/artist/Tea-Party.html Lyrics]