QUICKLY QUICKLY QUICKLY

When The Tea Club's second album "Rabbit" came out, I honestly thought, "how could McGowan's top the originality and adventure of 'Rabbit'? The band would need a genie (preferrably Robin Williams) in order to produce an album of greater caliber. But now, after hearing their third album "Quickly, Quickly, Quickly...", I am left pondering where they found this genie. Who is this genie? Why is it so darn powerful (because it is Robin Williams)?

Let me assure you? never, ever, ever... ever, ever, ever, x (infinity), underestimate The Tea Club's resourcefulness. "Quickly, Quickly, Quickly..." is an album of vast resourcefulness, quirk, cleverness, punch, and dimension. From the start, the chaos, complexity, and urgency of "Firebears" instantly yanks the attention. Keyboards, guitars, bass, and drums bleed and blend together; all embodying one epic sound, and yet all with a fanatic life of their own--something the The Tea Club has sublimely mastered throughout the years. Midway through "Firebears" is a section so beautiful it may just bring you tears. It builds into the third and last part of the song where the intensity hits its peak and leads you into a catchy and placid resolution. Patrick's voice hear is absolutely gripping, haunting, and pacts a lot of punch. 10/10

"Eternal German Infant" is a quirky, unpredictable song with Dan's catchy lyrics and dreamy guitar at the forefront. The drumming is incredibly volatile, and yet the bass, a perfect blend of melody and rhythm as usual, manages to keep it in the realm of the ever-fanatic imagery of the guitars and keyboard. 10/10

"Mr. Freeze" slows it down. Haunting. The dark and brooding mood swallows you whole. The harrowing guitar effects are chilling and Dan's low voice effectively helps darken the mood. This chilling song really builds into something mesmerizing and sentimental--a perfect example of the McGowan's songwriting abilities and craftsmanship. 10/10

"I Shall Consume Everything" opens hypnotically. Once again, the guitar effects are beautifully highlighted. The keyboards here are tantalizing, charming, and always present with loads of catchy tricks up its sleeve. Volatile and catchy throughout, the song ends with a dark sense of adjusted hopelessness and all the instruments bellowing. 10/10

Blood and sweat went into making this album, and you can tell. Strong and brutally original throughout its entirety, "Quickly, Quickly, Quickly..." is an indubitable work of experimentation, heart, complexity, hard-work, and wild imagination. Not only did The Tea Club mature as artists and musicians, but they proved that music of this generation can be original and complex, and still maintain its accessibility and ability to transcend deep within our hearts.

"Quickly, Quickly, Quickly..." is an instant classic. And I say, it grants them a spot next to such acts as Yes, Radiohead, Genesis, Tool, and all the big guys who do it best.

If I had to compare them to anything it would go as thus: The spirit and song-writing ability of Genesis, the cleverness and power of King Crimson, the attitude and emotional dynamic of Oceansize, the originality and balls of Radiohead, and the epicness and energy of Yes!