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REVIEW - Progression Magazine
(www.progressionmag.com)
"The Tea Club puts out a surprisingly lush and
varied sound for a guitar/bass/drums trio. Hailing from New Jersey,
Patrick McGowan (vocals, guitar, bass), brother Dan (vocals, guitar)
and Kyle Minnick (drums) present an adventurous prog-metal offering
with stylistic electric and acoustic guitar embellishments rare to this
genre. In place of endless riffage, gorgeous chording and tasty chiming
single-note picking keep General Winter's Secret Museum fresh and
original. Patrick's smooth tenor is perfect for these compositions (no
Cookie Monster or screeching castrati).
Each piece is performed with a fiery passion
that has the whole affair giving most art-rock bands a run for their
money, as beauty and bombast are balanced to maximum effect.
Opening track "Werewolves" starts with pounding,
choppy power chords as Pat's clean croon rides on top. The piece
switches gears and slowly winds down, closing out beautifully. "Big Al'
reveals King Crimson influence with a formidable Adrian Belew-era
instrumental break.
Expansive and imaginative, The Tea Club's debut
is a solid effort. ---Warren Baker"
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