/ TRIPtych

The Album

Catatonic listless creature
Try to comprehend
Everything you’ve ever wanted
It’s around the next bend

Don’t try to fake it
I see you shaking
It doesn’t mean a thing

Look at you, the freak attraction
In this carnival of souls
Failing all negotiations
You’ll be the next sold

Don’t try to fake it
I see you shaking
It doesn’t mean anything

Now love, don’t make a sound
Reach down and touch the ground

Emptiness is almost certain
Like an automatic dream
You’re closing in on the final curtain
You’re on the next scene

i don’t need your redemption
i don’t want you to deceive me
and I don’t need your forgiveness
I only want you to believe me

do you see me here
i’m standing naked
do you see me here on my knees

now all my life i’ve been wandering
looking for teachers with the keys
nothing found still searching for sound
underground…

now let me tell you about a story
it’s about a man consumed with vice
he’s theosophical in nature
and hedonistic in disguise

and all my life he’s been wandering
searching for teachers with the keys
nothing found still searching for sound
underground

god is pressure
god is pressure more or less
and it takes a lifetime
a life of lies to make a mess
ah but you suffer
i see you suffer with a smile
well look around yourself,
baby don’t you think you’re in denial

and it hurts so bad
to see your garden of debris
don’t make a move now
it could be the thing that sets you free

all you say now
is a great big lie
just say you didn’t mean
and you’ll still deny
it’s a great big lie

you pulled the plug
you pulled the plug to save your face
and i’d be the first
to reconciliate the grace
ah but you suffer
i see you suffer with a smile
look around yourself
don’t you think you’re in denial

all you say now
is a great big lie
just say you didn’t mean
and you’ll still deny
it’s a great big lie

With nothing to lose you’d waste away
Obscure in exile
They’ve witnessed the times
You’ve gone astray
Whose fault? now you’re thinking…

Theres’s nothing to prove
A snapshot from the crowd
To the shore…

And it feels now
Just like heaven’s coming down
Your soul shakes free
As its conscience hits the ground

So strange are the ways,
They all have changed
Still life it stays the same
A break from the past
Could make it last
Maybe just a little longer

There’s nothing to prove
A snapshot from the crowd
To the shore…

You surrender
Love under will
Rest assured you’re adored

And it feels now
Just like heaven’s coming down
Your soul shakes free
As its conscience hits the ground
This time, no tears,
Just one last chance to see you prove
Stay strong, no fears
There is a change that’s coming through
Hold on my love
Hold on..

alone, left here in dust
amidst my fears and doubts
life’s shattered dreams I could have
gone without
now chthonic life has set its sights on
making me a slave to its ways
i wait for return
until then my soul it burns
and it burns only for you…

i’ll be with you soon…

night it falls on me endlessly
I search for you in this blindness
I’m a prodigy of lust and loss
’til sleep comes down

i can’t explain, this disdain remains
this treason i can’t reason
they left me here for dead my dear
barely breathing, but i’m still breathing

now i see a loght
it’s shining from above
i think they’ve finally come
the halcyon days

I’m crawling now up
towards the sound
vengeance moves so swiftly
i’ve conquered fear
i’ve shed my tears
now i’m seething, barely breathing

now i see a light
shining from above
i think they’ve finally come
the halcyon days

got a letter from a messenger
i read it when it came
it said that you were wounded
you were bound and chained
you had love and you were handled
you were poisoned you were pained
oh no you were naked
you were shamed

you could almost touch heaven
right there in front of you
liberty just slipped away on us
now there’s so much work to do
oh the door that closes tightly
is the door than can swing wide
oh no not expecting to collide

for a minute i let my guard down
not afraid to be found out
I completely forgot dear
what our fears were all about
oh no there’s no need to be without

if there’s a chance i would take it
this desire i can’t kill
take my heart please don’t break it
I will crawl to your foothill

I’m frightened but i’m coming
please baby please lay still
oh no i’m not coming for the kill

please would you tell me my friend
which direction is the way ?
because i’m lost, i’m confused
the reality we choose
is a long, long way from the dream

all you’ll feel is pain and suffering
wading through samsara

yes but i’ve heard that before
from those teachers of dreams
but it’s old and it’s cold
i just can’t feel it in my soul
am i damned to a life of extremes

all you’ll feel is pain and suffering
wading through samsara

but i’ve looked to the east
and i’ve prayed in the west
what i know, i’ve seen
you just couldn’t imagine
where i’ve been
and i feel at this time
i just need to rest
and i’d like to stay here
i would love to stay here
would you let me stay here, please

demonic little love god
do you want to see me bleed
anarchistic little beggar man
now you want a piece of me
you’re just a lot of talk
without a lot of sense
here comes another slight attack
it’s got you hanging from the fence

of the tears will fall
and the tears will fall
you say these tears will wash away the stains

tell me how do you feel the shame
when it all falls through
will you feel this way?

you’re just another chronic liar
a sentinel of farce
integrity’s a fairytale
it makes e wonder who you are
it’s just another creed
shame is gone to the seed
here comes another slight attack
it could be the thing you need

Brace yourself with arrogance
In case you see the light
You’ll be hanging like a scarecrow
waiting for the second sight

You’re furious with envy
she token of the charm
Another Slight Attack
now, should you be alarmed

a view from a broken window
i can hardly breathe
clouds are forming faces
and they laugh at me

strange desires
under friendly fire
but it’s alright it still feels nice

it’s taking me away
i’m seeking shelter from the pain
i’m holding on again
holding on again
seeking shelter from the pain

it gives me a line and i cross it
an acrobat graced with skill
getting your freedom’s easy
surviving it’s harder still

strange desires
under friendly skies
but it’s alright it still feels nice

it’s taking me away
i’m seeking shelter from the pain
i’m holding on again
holding on again
seeking shelter from the pain

and the race is on
i’m all out of sync now
and the hands withdraw
i’m out of sync now
is there something more

it’s taking me away
i’m seeking shelter from the pain
i’m holding on again
seeking shelter from the pain
it’s taken me

so a crowd he gathered around us
i’m pining one last kiss
i’m struggling with the lifeline
in the shadow of this bliss
patience my love it’ll all be alright

but ain’t it funny how the fates work
i feel cheated by the turn
still this love it hovers over us
and the lessons that we’ve learned
patience my love it’ll all be alright

with your arms around me
you’re singing softly
and i fade from memories
and move on

we were lost inside a wasteland
of fools groping for the gold
i wonder if they’ll think of us
while they’re still searching for their souls
patience my love it’ll all be alright

with your arms around me
you’re singing softly
and i fade from memories
and move on

so never put it out my love
the spirit is the flame that burns within
hold on to me
and it’ll all be alright

sleep now is descending like a dream
still i’m shaking from the softness
of your skin
hold on to me
and it’ll all be alright

with your arms around me
you’re singing softly
and i fade from memories
and move on
may nothing harm you
i’m still inside you
with my wings around you
you’ll go on

sweet lover go on
my love be strong

you say it’s all about intention
a chimera in disguise
its about your life, the greed
the loneliness it needs now
just to say you’ve claimed the prize
of letting go…

you say you’re all about your virtue
but it’s a harlequin of shame
you look around confused by the sound
of intention gone aground now
because it’s all about the fame

and now you’re letting go
but it’s a little late
there’s little time to show

so tell me now…
would you do it all again…
could you do it all again…

you say it’s all about
forgiveness now…
well you can grovel if you’d like
but turn around,
do you hear that sound
that’s integrity gone aground now
in the name of sacrifice

broken moments in time could till shine
but they’re getting old
if you could see the world with my eyes
you’d be so surprised at what you’d know

so, if you see my angel of light
with her sweet wine
could you let me know
because i think she’s gone again

fatal are these moments of trust
that pleases us and who would know
helped here by the passions of life
now strife won’t let me go

so, if you see my angel of light
with her sweet wine
i thik she needs to know
that i’ve gone again
i’ve really gone again
i think i’m gone again

so lonely

Catatonic listless creature
Try to comprehend
Everything you’ve ever wanted
It’s around the next bend

Don’t try to fake it
I see you shaking
It doesn’t mean a thing

Look at you, the freak attraction
In this carnival of souls
Failing all negotiations
You’ll be the next sold

Don’t try to fake it
I see you shaking
It doesn’t mean anything

Now love, don’t make a sound
Reach down and touch the ground

Emptiness is almost certain
Like an automatic dream
You’re closing in on the final curtain
You’re on the next scene

i don’t need your redemption
i don’t want you to deceive me
and I don’t need your forgiveness
I only want you to believe me

do you see me here
i’m standing naked
do you see me here on my knees

now all my life i’ve been wandering
looking for teachers with the keys
nothing found still searching for sound
underground…

now let me tell you about a story
it’s about a man consumed with vice
he’s theosophical in nature
and hedonistic in disguise

and all my life he’s been wandering
searching for teachers with the keys
nothing found still searching for sound
underground

god is pressure
god is pressure more or less
and it takes a lifetime
a life of lies to make a mess
ah but you suffer
i see you suffer with a smile
well look around yourself,
baby don’t you think you’re in denial

and it hurts so bad
to see your garden of debris
don’t make a move now
it could be the thing that sets you free

all you say now
is a great big lie
just say you didn’t mean
and you’ll still deny
it’s a great big lie

you pulled the plug
you pulled the plug to save your face
and i’d be the first
to reconciliate the grace
ah but you suffer
i see you suffer with a smile
look around yourself
don’t you think you’re in denial

all you say now
is a great big lie
just say you didn’t mean
and you’ll still deny
it’s a great big lie

See this lifeline in chains
Safe resistance restrains
Listless lover of stars
Makes me wonder how far, you’ve come

All you’ve learnt
You’ve forgotten
You desperate soul
You’re lost again

Can’t help feeling betrayed
Nothing’s come from the grave
Helpless angel of fate
How much longer to wait?

All you’ve learnt
You’ve forgotten
You desperate soul
You’re lost again

Don’t you see, all this time?
Takes away, takes the place up, up above?
Can’t you see light here, and it’s shining?
Look around, I’ll be waiting love

Crushed by lies in the dark
Helped them tear you apart
Listless lover of stars
It makes me wonder how far, you’ve come

All you’ve learnt
You’ve forgotten
You desperate soul
You’re lost again

Don’t you see all this time
Takes away, takes the place, up, up above?
Can’t you see light here, and it’s shining?
Look around I’ll be waiting love

Don’t you see all this time
Takes away, takes the place, up, up above?
Can’t you see light here, and it’s shining?
Look around I’ll be waiting love

I donÂīt believe that IÂīve seen a woman like you anywhere
and I must admit that I can’t see remaking you in a dream
and if I had a magic wand to wave I send a dove to catch your love and
I’d send a blackbird to steal to your heart

But a broken heart wonÂīt cure my endless search, little girl
I got to fix a magic spell to weave on you, oh little girl
I would follow along just to get your (?)
I would follow the (?) to the seeds of sin
And before this very road it would leave

I’d rather wait in the dark a thousand times, oh little girl
Then take a woman into the very heart of my soul
And if I catch you sleeping, unaware
I’d carry you off to my secret lair
There I’ll bind your heart to my very soul

I donÂīt believe that IÂīve seen a woman like you anywhere
and I must admit that I can’t see remaking you in a dream
and if I had a magic wand to wave I’d send a dove to catch your love and
I’d send a blackbird to steal to your heart

got a letter from a messenger
i read it when it came
it said that you were wounded
you were bound and chained
you had love and you were handled
you were poisoned you were pained
oh no you were naked
you were shamed

you could almost touch heaven
right there in front of you
liberty just slipped away on us
now there’s so much work to do
oh the door that closes tightly
is the door than can swing wide
oh no not expecting to collide

for a minute i let my guard down
not afraid to be found out
I completely forgot dear
what our fears were all about
oh no there’s no need to be without

if there’s a chance i would take it
this desire i can’t kill
take my heart please don’t break it
I will crawl to your foothill

I’m frightened but i’m coming
please baby please lay still
oh no i’m not coming for the kill

please would you tell me my friend
which direction is the way ?
because i’m lost, i’m confused
the reality we choose
is a long, long way from the dream

all you’ll feel is pain and suffering
wading through samsara

yes but i’ve heard that before
from those teachers of dreams
but it’s old and it’s cold
i just can’t feel it in my soul
am i damned to a life of extremes

all you’ll feel is pain and suffering
wading through samsara

but i’ve looked to the east
and i’ve prayed in the west
what i know, i’ve seen
you just couldn’t imagine
where i’ve been
and i feel at this time
i just need to rest
and i’d like to stay here
i would love to stay here
would you let me stay here, please

I see you walking
you’re a miracle on earth
and IÂīve been tempted
but now my will won’t stray

so please say you stay
you know that IÂīm a good man
itÂīs gonna take a little time
if you waiting on a sign

I know IÂīve hurt you
I wonÂīt hurt you anymore
your tears have spoken
I wanna wash your tears away
so please say you’ll stay
I swear that IÂīm a good man
itÂīs gonna take a little time
if youÂīre waiting on a sign
And I remember
like a martyr in the moonlight
this resistance now be shall overcome

so please say you stay
I swear that IÂīm a good man
itÂīs gonna take a little time
if you waiting on a sign

And if it pleases you my love
I’ll get on my knees and
if you leave with me my love
take this pain away

please say you’ll stay
I swear that IÂīm a good man
it’s just takes a little time
if you’re waiting on a sign

/ TRIPtych

Singles + Specials

Click on an album for detailed info.

/ TRIPtych

Gloom + Glory

#4 on the Canadian album chart

double platinum sales in Canada

Juno nomination for “Best Rock Album”

/TRiptych

Credits

Produced and Recorded by
Jeff Martin
Engineered by
Don Hachey
Assisted by
Martin Ruel, George Pelekoudis
Recorded at
Alkemical Studios, Montreal, PQ / Studio Morin Heights, Morin Heights, PQ.
Mixed by
Jeff Martin and Nick Blagona
at
Metalworks Studios, Mississauga, ON.
Second Engineers
Ed Krautner / Graham Brewer
Assisted by
Michael Weare / Ben Fyvie
Mastered by
Nick Blagona at Metalworks Mastering, Mississauga, ON.

 

“Gone” features:
Ligia Paquin/viola, François Pauqin/violin, Benoit Loiselle/cello, StÊphanie Meyer/cello.

Cover concept by
Stuart Chatwood
Design by
Antonie Moonen
Cover photo by
James St Laurent
Photography by
Lori Comerford and Margaret Malandruccolo
Styling by
Renee Beach

All songs written by The Tea Party. ÂĐ 1999 Eternal Publishing (SOCAN) / Warner/Chappell Music Canada Ltd (SOCAN), except “The Messenger” written by Daniel Lanois ÂĐ Daniel Lanois Songs/WB Music Corp (ASCAP).

/ TRIPtych

Special Edition

The tour with Queensryche created a lot of positive feedback so The Tea Party returned for another tour in the summer of 2000 to headline several performances and play in a number of festivals. EMI Germany released a special „Triptych Tour Edition“ CD during that time which was only released in Germany.

For Tea Party fans the „Tour Edition“ was a „must have“, this was the first time that recordings of rare songs like „Lifeline“ and the Rhys Fulber-„Temptation“-Remix were released on a record. Also included were „A Woman Like You“, and „Waiting For A Sign“, two, until then, unreleased songs.

Some fans question the way the CD was mastered though. If you consider that they tried to broaden the fan base with the release of the Special-Edition the songs on the second CD might be a bit hard to stomach for „inexperienced“ Tea Party listeners. All songs but “Psychopomp” and “Waiting For A Sign” have an oriental touch that makes access to these songs difficult for new fans. Also, you cannot help but feel a bit cheated by the live songs on the album – as the German edition of Rolling Stone claimed quite correctly – they don’t sound very live. In the end it has to be concluded that the Triptych Tour Edition is a must have for all serious Tea Party fans and EMI did all fans a big favour by releasing this album but, unfortunately, it hasn’t really broadened the fan base in Europe.

/Triptych

Credits

Released in Germany & Holland: June 2000

Produced and Recorded by
Jeff Martin
Engineered by
Don Hachey

Track 1 (Disc 2) Engineered by
Doug McClement
String arranged by
Jono Grant
Mixed by
Nick Blagona

Track 6 (Disc 2) Produced by
Rhys Fulber
Additional Programming by
Rhys Fulber
Engineered by
Junkie XL
Assisted by
Martin Ruel / George Pelekoudis

Recorded at
Alkemical Studios, Montreal, PQ / Studio Morin Heights, Morin Heights, PQ.
Mixed by
Jeff Martin and Nick Blagona at Metalworks Studios, Mississauga, ON.
Second Engineers
Ed Krautner / Graham Brewer
Assisted by
Michael Weare / Ben Fyvie
Mastered by
Nick Blagona at Metalworks Mastering, Mississauga, ON

“Gone” features:
Ligia Paquin/viola, François Pauqin/violin, Benoit Loiselle/cello, StÊphanie Meyer/cello.

Cover concept by
Stuart Chatwood
Design by
Antonie Moonen
Cover photo by
James St Laurent
Photography by
Lori Comerford and Margaret Malandruccolo
Styling by
Renee Beach

All songs written by The Tea Party. ÂĐ 1999 Eternal Publishing (SOCAN) / Warner/Chappell Music Canada Ltd (SOCAN), except “The Messenger” written by Daniel Lanois ÂĐ Daniel Lanois Songs/WB Music Corp (ASCAP)