"Awesome and wonderful. Tristeza are a very special band from San Diego. This second album goes even further beyond their also fantastic first release. Dreamy and hypnotic rock instrumentals, beautifully crafted, that flow and flow. Just to give you an idea, imagine the Cocteau Twins playing Tortoise covers, or Aerial M jamming with Brian Eno and King Tubby...Well, I hate comparisons, non-stop playing it since I bought it last week, and getting better and better. Don't loose time reading this review, go and get it!"
Eno Youth! PhDisco. Presence of absence. Study or shag!
Jim Neill | Los Angeles, CA USA | 02/21/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Meditative and substantial. NOT new age or Windham Hilly as some have charged. Soundtrack to an imaginary Hal Hartley film. In legion with Pell Mell, Tortoise sorta, Lanterna, Arovane, Raybeats, Tangerine Dream, Rothko. Vocals absent like a phantom limb. Nectarine Dream. Lyrical sans lyrics. Dance while you read."
Beautiful and Hypnotic
Robert Matyas | Cambridge, MA United States | 11/08/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jimmy LaValle (also of The Album Leaf) and his cohort, Christopher Sprague, have created yet another intricate guitar masterpiece. The melodic basslines and beautiful keyboards, combined with the warm, gentle sound of the guitars, make this instrumental release another success for Tristeza. Plus, this full-length is readily available -- unlike previous Tristeza recordings that are either out of print or just hard to track down. Excellent."
An Instrumental Release - Words Cannot Describe
J. Cooper | Milwaukee, WI | 10/04/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Tristeza's releases this sparkling jewel after their amazing debut on Makato Recordings "Spine and Sensory". The band consists only of instrumental perfection and beauty nothing else. Picture in your mind/ears lush melodic guitars intertwining - melting into one another, solid full deep bass guitar, crisp clear intricate drums, a layer of ethereal keyboards floating over the mix, etc. The music is much more than that of precise tones mixed with perfect rhythym...they come to represent an undescribale feeling.. one of bliss and passion. Perfect for those depressed moods when your bottle of prozac is empty. If you like anything in vein of mogwai (matador records), tortoise (thrill jockey), aurore rien (sunseasky productions-amazing band, check them out as well)godspeed you black emperor (kranky), paul newman (trance syndicate), appleseed cast (deep elm - new material) then this is must for you. My advice, make it your next purchase."
Beyond Amazing...But it or Else?
J. Cooper | Milwaukee, WI | 10/05/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This cd is just too much to describe in pure words. Which is probably the reason this band consists only of instrumental perfection and beauty. Picture in your mind and ears lush melodic guitars intertwined, solid bass, crisp clear drums, a layer of sparse keyboards, etc. The songs are much more than that of tones mixed with rhythym...they represent an undescribable feeling.. one of bliss and happiness, it makes me very happy when I'm feeling kind of down and unhappy. If you like anything in vein of mogwai, tortoise, godspeed you black emperor, paul newman, red stars theory...this must for certan be your next purchase..my advice go buy it now..or you'll be sorry!"