The Tea Party – Blood Moon Rising

A ‘blood moon’ happens when Earth’s moon is in total lunar eclipse. The usually white moon becomes reddish and it looks quite eerie or hauntingly beautiful, if you will. Also, it’s the title, or rather a part of the title of the latest album by Canadian progressive rock outfit The Tea Party. It’s their second full-length after their reunion back in 2011. Let’s see whether Jeff Martin (vocals/guitars), Stuart Chatwood (bass) and Jeff Burrows (drums) are able still to deliver a  delicious slice of ‘Moroccan Roll’ with “Blood Moon Rising”.

The album kicks off in familiar fashion with ‘Black River’, a bluesy uptempo rock song with Jeff Martin’s instantly recognisable baritone taking center stage. The whole package is delivered with Led Zeppelin-inspired swagger, one of the typical hallmarks of this band. The same goes for ‘Way Way Down’ and ‘Hole In My Heart’, the latter being one of the album’s musical highlights. The Tea Party is all about writing great songs with memorable hooks and melodies. The sort one can hum along instantly.

The Tea Party – Black River (click here if the video doesn’t play)

Another staple in The Tea Party’s sound is their uncanny ability to incorporate eastern and psychedelic elements in their songs. British writer and poet Rudyard Kipling once stated that: “East is East and West is West and never the twain shall meet”. Jeff Martin and co beg to differ on ‘Shelter’ and ‘So Careless’. Blues-based guitar riffs and eastern-styled melodies and psychedelica go hand in hand seamlessly on the aforementioned tracks.

The Tea Party – Hole In My Heart (click here if the video doesn’t play)

Some may cringe when they hear the word ‘ballad’. Luckily, The Tea Party knows how to stay away from the typical cliches. Moreover, Jeff Martin has the right amount of grit in his voice to pull it all off in a convincing manner, like he does on mainly acoustic-based songs like ‘Sunshower’ and ‘Our Love’. Yes, he is a bluesman at heart, as he aptly shows on the album’s title track. Led Zeppelin is never far away when it comes to The Tea Party, as the band comes full circle with an energetic cover of Led Zep’s ‘Out on the Tiles’.

On ‘Blood Moon Rising’ Jeff Martin and co play to their strengths. Memorable songs go hand in hand with the band’s instantly recognisable bluesy sound. This record may not be their most innovative release to date, but that wasn’t to be expected thirty years into their career. As long as they keep on releasing delicious slices of ‘Moroccan Roll’ like “Blood Moon Rising”, I’m perfectly content with that.

Tracklist:

1. Black River
2. Way Way Down
3. Sunshower
4. So Careless
5. Our Love
6. Hole in My Heart
7. Shelter
8. Summertime
9. Out on the Tiles (Led Zeppelin cover)
10. The Beautiful
11. Blood Moon Rising (Wattsy’s Song)