The Tea Club - Quickly, Quickly, Quickly

When Dan McGowen, a key contributor to The Tea Club, contacted me asking that
I review his bands EP
"Quickly, Quickly, Quickly"
I was more than happy to oblige. You see, that's one of the things we do here at
United By Rocket Science. When he told me he had played guitar on Suit of Lights
"Shine on Forever", a record I had previously reviewed and given high praise. I became a bit more curious.
Then came the term that often gives me the shakes, if not all out night terror; It was the term "Indie Prog Rock". Bands such as Yes, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Jethro Tull and Tool are high on my list as
"Least Favorite Bands of All Time". I don't think I can count the times I've thought aloud
"If only I could never hear Pink Floyd again, I would die a happy man."

Though this was my first exposure to the band. Deptford, New Jersey's The Tea Party have been recording since 2004 with this being the bands eigth release to date. The band features guitar, (shared by Dan and his brother Patrick) bass, drums and keys.

The EP features four songs that clock in at forty-two minutes with the opener "Firebears" breaking the clock at just under eighteen minutes. "Quickly, Quickly, Quickly" is musically large and atmospheric while never shying away from actually rocking. "Firebears" opens on a rather high note before getting a bit lost in it's own over indulgence. Any song that's heart is still beating after seventeen minutes is presenting a pretty big challenge to keeps it's listeners attention. The following three songs "The Eternal German Infant", "Mr Freeze" and
"I Shall Consume Everything" follow a similar path musically though for a shorter span. Each song offers all of the best in musicianship, arraignments and song structure. Add to that Dan's passionate vocal melodies and you've got all the ingredients for a winning recipe. Though the Tea Club prove that the Prog Rock movement is still alive and breathing.
While I would easily recommend "Quickly, Quickly, Quickly" and The Tea Club to any fan of Progressive Rock; These four songs didn't do much to convince me to order my
King Crimson tickets just yet. James Damion

Get it Here
Official Site

Suit of Lights - Shine on Forever LP

Sometimes I can get a feeling for and bang out a review of a record after one, maybe two listens. While there are other times when I find myself having to listen maybe a dozen times to get the overall feel of one.
To hear notes I may have missed the first or third time around. Time to allow myself to gain a relationship with that record. Such was the case with Suit of Lights latest offering "Shine on Forever".

It's been two years since I sat down with the bands singer/songwriter Joe Darone to talk about Suit of Lights, his Dad and UFO's. Those two years since have been cluttered with countless bands, releases and shows that might have made me forget what an incredible songwriter and complete artist Joe has become. Lucky for me, "Shine on Forever" arrived just in time to remind me.

Suit of Lights started in 2004 as a studio project and have evolved through a revolving door of talented musicians from various bands such as Streetlight Manifesto, Mr. Bungle, The Rosenbergs and others with Joe Darone and Trevor Dunn being the key components. Their focus on weaving impressive song writing and beautiful instrumentals that have collected guitar, keys, stand up bass, brass and percussion has been impressive to say the very least.

"Shine on Forever offer stellar musicianship and songwriting with Beatlesque harmonies and melodies that are as beautiful as they are boundless. As I listened to these tracks  I couldn't help but think, "This album might be to big for this blog." Of course that's not true but Suit of Lights are honestly on a level all their own when it comes to lush, atmospheric songs and soundscapes that take the listener on a journey that awakens the senses and challenges you use every one to fully listen. I can go on forever but it would be better if I just told you to pick up a copy of this gem and listen for yourself. I think you will be greatly rewarded. "Shine on Forever" was produced by Joe Darone himself and recorded over in Jersey City at Big Blue Meanie Studios. James Damion