Splendor Solis (album)

Splendor Solis (1993) is the second album by Canadian rock band The Tea Party, and their first major label release on EMI Music Canada. The album sold very well in Canada, reaching #20 on the Canadian album chart and achieving platinum status in 1994 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.

Splendor Solis
Studio album by
The Tea Party
Released11 June 1993
StudioWhite Crow Audio, Burlington, Vermont
GenreHard rock
Length56:07
LabelEMI Music Canada
Chrysalis Records
ProducerJeff Martin
The Tea Party chronology
The Tea Party
(1991)		 Splendor Solis
(1993)		 The Edges of Twilight
(1995)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic link

Overview

The album draws heavily on the rock and blues of the 1970s, 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 a violin bow (not unlike Jimmy Page) on "Save Me". Martin's appearance, voice and singing style also drew comparisons to those 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."[1]

Track listing
No.TitleLength
1."The River"5:44
2."Midsummer Day"5:58
3."A Certain Slant of Light"5:00
4."Winter Solstice"2:45
5."Save Me"6:35
6."Sun Going Down"6:31
7."In This Time"4:57
8."Dreams of Reason"6:19
9."Raven Skies"5:17
10."Haze on the Hills"2:24
11."The Majestic Song"4:37

Singles

Music videos directed by Floria Sigismondi.

Re-recorded songs

Splendor Solis includes re-recordings of several songs from the band's independent album, The Tea Party:

  • "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 Powerplay Studios (New York City)
  • Alex Armitage - assistant mixing engineer at Power Play Studios (New York City)
  • Bob Ludwig - remastering at Gateway Mastering Studios (Portland, Maine)
  • Steve Cole - art conception and design
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References
  1. Stuart Chatwood, Turning music into gold April 1994, Beat, Melbourne, Australia.
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