Tea Leaf Green
Midnight on the Reservoir
released 2001
A great album is one where every song plays its role to make a complete whole, such that a listener would never dream of selecting certain tracks to listen without bypassing others. Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon comes to mind, or more recently O.K. Computer by Radiohead. With each track, albums like these build on themselves to become true works of art, more than just a collection of songs. Rarely does a band create a real album on their first try, but with Midnight on the Reservoir, Tea Leaf Green has done just that.
The story leads in slowly with the introduction to the first track "Reservoir", but before you know it the funk being laid down is as thick as a strong fog. The lyrics cause us to think of changes, and by the end of the album we will surely recognize one within music. The jams in this track allow for each band member to bring their sound to the front and move around so we are introduced to the whole as well as the individuals in the group.
Right where "Reservoir" leaves off, the anthem about his own conception begins and really allows lead guitarist Josh Clark to show his chops. His hollow body goes in and out of leading the jam, splitting time with Trevor "Professor T" Garrod on the keys. By the end of the track, the guitar sound is so powerful you are shaking your head and moving your lips in time with its sound. "Sex in the 70's" is one of those songs where the use of few lyrics makes the music that much more powerful.
Next, a song which really shows the range of abilities that bassist Ben Chambers holds. "Panspermic De-evolution" has a seriously funky bass line throughout, but it explodes at the climax of the song where it is played in a completely offensive style. The bassline leads the charge in this song and will have you grooving along in no time.
The next pair of songs are destined to be classics, "I Believe" and "Sea Monkey's". This is where Tea Leaf Green really shows an expertise in songwriting, even in their very early twenties. Without making a band comparison, TLG has that Phish-like ability to mix humor in with a serious message. "I Believe" is a complete song, short and sweet, and will catch you the first time you hear it. "Sea Monkey's" is another great song and it displays one of the main reasons this band will go places, Trevor Garrod's voice. He has one of the best voices in music, hands down. It's like a less raspy, young Bob Dylan, with a super dose of mellow energy. He doesn't have to be singing about anything at all, yet you'll find yourself humming the lyrics, because it sounds that good.
From here, his partner Josh takes over, singing about his favorite food in six minutes and twenty-seven seconds of blistering rock and roll. "Hot Dog" shreds, pure and simple. In this song (and even more so live) the jam gets thick like a dog with the works; it will leave you wondering if this guitarist sold his soul to the devil to get chops that hearty.
Another measure of a great album is when it flows from first song to last, yet can still introduce new sounds the whole way through. This is the case with the next two songs. First, in "Moonshine," Tea Leaf Green shows its range by slowing things down a bit. Showcasing Trevor's heartfelt lyrics and acoustic sound, this song brings us down to earth and leaves us unaware of what's to come next. What comes next is possibly the sleeper of the album, "Papa's in the Backroom". It conveys the heart and soul of Tea Leaf Green, with lyrics like,
"We ain't got no technological AM/FM radio,
no record stacks or phonographs,
just an old guitar and pots and pans...
everyone knows the words, everyone sings along,
everyone see's the morning, 'cause we go all night long
everyone knows the words, everyone sings along,
not cause its a hit but cause it's a real good song."
After a jam at the end of "Papa's" that is as complete and tight as the meaning of the lyrics, Tea Leaf Green uses "Sleepwalker" and fades the end of a true album out, leaving us fully satisfied, yet wanting more.
This talented band is at the forefront of the regeneration of lyrical rock, completely fusing jams that don't lose the listener with sensible lyric-driven rock and roll, setting these four bay area boys apart from the rest of the pack. They have created an album which deserves to be listened to in its entirety, yet it has so many incredible songs you'll find yourself with a new favorite every week.
Midnight on the Reservoir was the best buy I made all year. Catch Tea Leaf Green in your town with their first ever national tour in 2002!!!
-Dan K.
Dan Kartzman
JamBase International Rastafari
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