Tea For Two - Twisted

Year of Release: 2006
Label: Quixote
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 44:38:00

Tea For Two only put out a studio album every 6 or 7 years and with Twisted, it seems the wait has been well worth it. I recall hearing earlier works of the band years ago and thinking them as a somewhat typical neo-prog band, but nothing can be further from the truth. Tea For Two incorporate a lot of folk/acoustic elements in their songs, layering their work with a lot of moods and textures and a huge variant of sound.

As the opening piece, "Spanish Night" suggests, there is not only folk but flamenco elements. "Soundscape" maintains the quiet, lowkey approach, with stylish piano (a lot of great piano on this album, something that's been missing from prog rock for quite some time!) before the tune erupts into a heavier sound. This is followed by a short, but strong track, "Out In The Sun" which is heavily infused by recorders and other folky sounds.

During the remainder of the tracks, there is great interplay between sweeping symphonic pieces, simple piano movements, and soft, extremely melodic passages. That should not suggest the music is simple. Perhaps a better way to put it is that the approach is simple, but the music is layered and complex when it needs to be. As a result, the variance that I described before allows for a full bodied listening experience without the density of typical neo-prog rock. While Weber is there for only the vocals, his presence is fundamental to the sound. His pipes are distinctive, bearing no resemblance to anyone I can think of offhand; and bursting with depth, melody and emotion. His delivery has nuance, like the music, with moments of restraint, followed by bursts of passion.

"My Own Way" is a standout track, with scorching guitars and anguished vocals. "Scar Folk" has a Celtic folk-rock feel. The closer, "Come What May" is the longest track at over 7 minutes, but feels like the magnum opus. It's a broody piece with cello, violin and a building crescendo before it fades quietly, just as the album began.

The production of Twisted is crystalline; a real treat to the ears. The packaging is simple, and modest; in many ways like the approach to the music. If you like huge sounds and grandeur in your music, you may want to look elsewhere. However, as my review no doubts suggests, this is nearly a flawless album which deserves recognition as one of the year?s best releases.

Tracklisting:
Spanish Night (4:55) / Soundscape (5:41) / Out In The Sun (3:47) / Last Drink (3:33) / Autumn (4:15) / Hold On (4:23) / My Own Way (5:27) / Scar Folk (3:09) / Why? (2:09) / Come What May (7:18)

Musicians:
Michael Schumpelt - keyboards, recorders, drums, backings
Oliver S?rup: acoustic & electric guitars, mandolin, quint guitar, backings
Stephan Weber - vocals

Special Guests:

Michael Sixt, Ralf Keydel, Uwe Haa? - bass
Stefie Krug - backings
Mike 'Senge' G?del - maniac drums & percussion
Marc Oliver Sch?fer - cello
Lisa Wasserstrass, Patricia Engelmann - voices

Discography:
Dream Or Reality (1993)
Snapshots (1996)
101 (2000)
Twisted (2006)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin DE

Added: December 23rd 2006
Reviewer: Richard Zywotkiewicz
Score:
Artist website: www.teafortwo.de
Hits: 4037
Language: english