Rabbit (The Tea Club, 2010)
I’m encouraged by the increasing amount of authentic progressive rock talent in the United States. The Tea Club, a band from New Jersey brings a fresh perspective to the mix. Rabbit, released in 2010, is their most recent album, although the band is working on a new album for this year.
The Tea Club’s sound combines the best of several music eras, ranging from introspective Van Der Graaf Generator-style lyrics and ambiance to the energy of 1980s King Crimson and the minimalism of current day post rock.
Although the group has two guitarists, The Tea Club is not about guitar excess and exhibitionism. Instead, the guitars are more about creating atmospheres, draping the engaging vocals.
The line-up on Rabbit includes Patrick McGowan on vocals, guitar; his brother Dan McGowan on guitar, vocals; Becky Osenenko on bass; Kyle Minnick on drums; and guest musician Tom Brislin on keyboards.
Highlights of the album include the thoughtful ‘Diamondized’, the nuanced and delicate ‘Royal Oil Can’, the dreamy ‘He Is Like A Spider’, the short but excellent ‘Tumbleweeds’ and the final epic ‘Astro.’
The Rabbit CD version comes in an attractive digipack with fascinating artwork and lyrics.
Rabbit is a mesmeric album by one of the brightest progressive rock bands in the current scene.
The Tea Club will be doing a mini-tour of the American Northeast in May 2012. They will join Swedish progressive rock band Beardfish for their only 3 U.S. dates.
Beardfish / The Tea Club :
May 14, 2012 Baltimore, MD: Orion Sound Studios, The Orion LiveMusic Showcase
May 15, 2012 Dunellen, NJ: Roxy and Dukes, NJProghouse Progressive Music Series
May 17, 2012 Brighton, MA: The Magic Room, NewEARS
I saw Tea Club. For me, the jury is out on this band. It’s not easy getting into their songs. I heard no melody, no choruses, the lyrics were all over the place, lots of bombastic guitar chords, but no intriguing leads. This is progressive rock?