Back in the early '90s, a very pretentious album came out that ripped everything it could from the Thief of Kashmir and Zoso, Led Zeppelin. The band was called The Tea Party and the album was Splendor Solis. But the problem with this album was that is was as good as it was pretentious. Jeff Martin, lead singer and guitarist, had the gall to play his guitar with a bow. His lyrics were neo-mystical in nature, just like The Thief’s, Robert Plant. They pretended to be the worthy successors to Led Zeppelin and for a while I believed it could be true.
Then The Tea Party released The Edges of Twilight in 1995 and I can remember being alone in the basement, with my headphones on, and hearing the rabid Middle Eastern strings and drums of “Sister Awake” and screaming in complete ecstasy. I had found my new gods and never would I let go. This album played for years, non-stop. The lyrics were deeply spiritual and seem to flow from Martin’s introspective third eye.
When this beautiful cult of desire
Has left you for dead
Isolation will cradle the lies
Of things left unsaid
What will it take
Sister awake
The music was hypnotic and blissfully different from the usual crap one can hear on the radio. And one had only to witness his eight-minute opening blues solo on what sounded like the greasiest of guitars, for “Turn The Lamp Down Low” during his opening for Led Zeppelin. It was so good I was expecting Jimmy Page to come out and play with him.
One summer night in 1997, I’m driving home, it’s around three, ChomFM is quietly playing its usual plate of classic rock. Then I hear a new guitar sound I’d never heard before. By the third or fourth string, I knew, I knew deep inside that this was a new Tea Party song, "Temptation". I was right. Some furiously heavy guitar and drums start thumping and again I go insane, cranking up the volume and gleefully screaming my head off in the car. Can you tell I love my Tea Party?
Driven by restrained desire
I want what I need
Shaking as her sex takes hold
I've lost all control
[…]
Destined by a fate so cruel
And drugged to delight
Laughing as these lies unfold
I've lost all control
It was too much. But sadly it was the beginning of the end. The song was the best the album had to offer. The Middle Eastern sound and feel was gone and so were the profound lyrics. Jeff Martin had sunk low in order to achieve commercial success. He wanted success, he wanted groupies galore, and he even wrote chick songs. He was trying too hard. This was followed by increasingly pitiful attempts with further albums that don’t need to be mentioned. The Tea Party was breathing its last. Then Jeff did the unspeakable.
Article comments
1 - rob
I remember Jeff Martin stating that "the Tea Party is the most important band of the 90s", sometime after the 3rd album was released. That's when he lost me. I was mildly interested up to that point but still felt an arrogance coming through the speakers that kept me from really liking the music. His statement cemented that feeling.
You used the word pretentious to describe this latest cd and that's how I would describe most of his/tea party's work.
Anyway, great review. Thanks for the honesty!
2 - JELIEL³
I don't mind arrogance, it wouldn't be rock 'n roll if it didn't have that kinda swagger. But only if you back it up.
3 - chris
Great review. Luckily I checked out the sample tracks on his site before I bought the album. And to think I was really considering paying $25 to see him in concert next week! Dodged a bullet there. Terribly disappointing. I loved all the Tea Party's previous stuff (the good and the bad) and was really anticipating this release (no TP pun intended). What a let down. I really hope Jeff (the talented one) and Stu put together something soon. Guranteed it will be 10X better than this crap.
4 - JELIEL³
Thanks.
Yeah this album will now sit in the oubliettes till my home burns down. So bad...
5 - vicki
I personally love Jeff's new cd. I am very disappointed in the above mentioned review. I just bought tickets to see him play next week and am looking forward. I give this CD 5 out of 5.
6 - JELIEL³
And that is of course your prerogative Vicki. But my review is my assessment as a long time fan of The Tea Party.
7 - Nikki Mountain
I happen to know Jeff, and he is anything but arrogant. He is a very warm, and modest person(contrary to popular belief in this forum) . Its unfortunate if you have failed to notice that he really put his whole heart into this new album. The guitar in Exile and The Kingdom is amazing. You mentioned the repetitious nature of his lyrics. Ironically you also mentioned the Beatles..one of the greatest rock bands of all time with some of the most repetitious lyrics in the history of song writing. Repetition provides familiarity which offers a certain comfort level. Why do you think all of these rap/dance/rock songs that are remixes and remakes of old songs are so marketable? Feel free to bash Jeffs music all you want. I assure you there are going to be alot of people who will thoroughly enjoy Exile.
8 - Nikki Mountain
Oh and FYI You mentioned Jeff Martin ripping off the sound of Led Zepplin. I notice however that you either didnt do your homework or conviniently forgot to mention that drummer Michael Lee (who toured with page and plant) is the drummer on Jeff Martins new cd Exile and The Kingdom!!!!!!
My url is working on this post btw.
9 - JELIEL³
Nikki, Jeff and his former band used to be gods to me, but his latest project deeply disapointed me for all the reasons in my above critique. And Michael Lee, bless him for his wondeful techinique, but he's a poor man's Bonham.
Don't get me started on Rap and Hip Hop. They ain't musicians, they sample old hits and re-sample them again and then take cred for it.
10 - Gem
The album is no doubt extremely different to previous tea party works but you can't judge an artist for changing. i caught the live gig in brunswick street the other night and it was nothing short of amazing. i'm a huge TP fan and i applaud jeff for doing what he thought was right for him. its not about what we like, its about what he likes.
11 - Dave
Yes but as his audience, it is about what we like. There's no doubt Jeff can play a mean guitar and sing his heart out, but this album is weak on the most important parts.
12 - Gem
Mmmm you could be right, I'll admit I didn't like the album much at first. I had to let it grow on me a fair bit, seeing the songs performed live gave me a much better idea of what they were about. All things aside i appreciate the honesty and wit of your crit. keep it up man.
13 - Justin
Having just picked up the album in a bargain bin ($10 NZ) i can only say that i totally agree with your review and want my money back! I too was a huge fan of The Tea Party,but after Transmission things took a pretty drastic dip. I'm no fan of their last 3 albums (especially Interzone Mantras) but i'd even take that over Jeffs solo album.
The thing is,we all originally liked The Tea Party for their neo-mystical lyrics,use of instruments,and (to me at least) the generally dark,poetic lyrics. Having listened to 'Exile' i actually physically cringed at some of the lines,especially 'Daystar'. I can understand that he loves his son,but my god...he's so sugary sweet now that i feared i was in danger of contracting Diabetes just from listening to it. His lyrics are now just too literal and cliched,and the music just your average run of the mill soft rock.
I can only draw a parallel with Alanis Morisette...everyone loved the angry,dark Alanis,but then she suddenly went happy/hippy and no one was interested anymore.
I won't be buying his next album,as 'Exile' has put the final nail in the coffin for me.
R.I.P. Jeff Martin (good from 1993-97...finally died 2006)
14 - Ritchie
all i can say is that i agree that exhile is an average to good album ....but i feel it sounds rushed....the songs can be improved so much...after seeing him live and hearing the new songs live..i went home thinkin ...it should have been a live solo cd....ah well....he is a legend in my book..cheers from Australia...
15 - bb
took me a while to like this album I'll admit.. but now - I love it.. people mature,times change - what did you want dude.. for TP to forever stay the same..
Of course you can draw similarities between Jeff and Led Zep - just like you can with many other artists who have been influenced by Led Zep.
You make a call I think with out ever giving this album a go.. have you bothered to see him live over the last few years??
Easy for you to comment,how long have you been making music for.. and trying to bring out something new and challenge yourself? give him credit for leaving TP before they turned into the next Creed.
See him live.. you'll eat your own words.
He still rocks, after all these years.
16 - Green eyes in T.O
I agree with Nikki whole heartedly. ;)
M