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The arrival of the venerable Canadian exotic rock trios highly anticipated new studio album, The Ocean At The End, marks the official end of the 10-year vacuum of fresh The Tea Party original material. The Black Sea, a stellar track from the 11-song-deep effort and the electrifying tandem of Jeff Martin (vocals, guitars, producer, songwriter); Stuart Chatwood (bass, keyboards) and Jeff Burrows (drums, percussion), completes the bands cycle of resurrection, some of the first new music weve heard from them since 2004s Seven Circles and the first project since the double-disc Live From Australia: The Reformation Tour 2012.

The three of us probably never thought wed be sitting here right now, admits Martin, whose booming baritone, emotionally candid and mystical songwriting and string-bending guitar prowess has served as the creative catalyst for eight platinum and gold studio albums, one EP, one greatest hits collection, a live disc and over 2 million in global album sales.

Its a testament to the strength of the music that weve created in the past and a testament to the friendship that exists between the three of us. We had to do a lot of soul-searching, but now the bond between the three of us is stronger.

Its what Jeff Burrows calls, simply, a rebirth.

This album is selfishly taking back what is collectively ours, says Burrows. For me, this record means taking back everything my family and my music with my brothers, and what we are going to give people around the world when they hear it.

Chatwood adds: For me, its the beginning of a new chapter in the bands career. This is a gateway record. Its an improvement on what weve done in the past and a catalyst to a new direction as we mature as songwriters.

Produced and engineered by Martin, mixed by Grammy-award-winning David Bottrill (Rush, Muse, Peter Gabriel, Tool) and recorded largely at Torontos Revolution Recording, The Ocean at the End contains some of the most streamlined music in The Tea Partys career.

Its a rock n roll record, declares Martin, one whose genesis began last year in Byron Bay, Australia and eventually migrated to the trios original home base of Windsor, Ontario. We started the writing process in Australia in Byron Bay, and songs like Brazil and the Cass Corridor, Submission and The Waters On Fire came out of that session, he continues. But where things got really exciting for us was when we jammed in Windsor: songs like The 11th Hour and The Line Of Control came out and it was really rock n roll. We were having fun and not over-thinking it anymore. The water had passed under the bridge, and were three friends now. What do you guys want to do? Rock! Okay, lets go!

We grew up right next to Detroit and the influence of that city infects our music more than any other extraneous influence, states Chatwood.

We dont really take ourselves so seriously anymore, says Martin. There are no insecurities. Were making music for ourselves and were having fun. Its the whole point of it all.

This easygoing attitude is a result of the new respect and appreciation of each other that The Tea Party principals felt while separated. The time apart gave us such a richer experience to bring to the table when it came to songwriting, because weve gone, done other projects and grown up as individuals, says Chatwood. The quality of this record speaks for itself.

Percussionist Burrows concurs. Individually, we came back with more confidence in ourselves, Burrows explains. Were more mature and self-reliant.

As much as theyre self-reliant on The Ocean At The End, a couple of guest stars also grace the album: For the percussively driven Brazil, Aline Morales knocks out some polyrhythms, while the title track relies on flute from one of rocks seminal figures, Jethro Tulls Ian Anderson.

Now that the album is complete, the interaction begins. Only this time, its different: three brothers reunited, finding new musical purpose and ultimately, enjoying the ride and each others company. Its all of us equally in it together, which is why The Ocean At The End stands quite possibly might be the strongest thing weve done. Say Martin. Now its time to go out and tour Australia, Canada, South American and Europe, and go to places we havent gone before. Weve laid all this kerosene in different parts of the world through our music now its time to go to those parts and light the match.

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The Tea Party | Official Website