All Music Guide
by Ed Rivadavia

Toronto, Canada's The Tea Party actually sound like Jim Morrison singing for Led Zeppelin in their most exotic middle-eastern moments, and vocalist/guitarist Jeff Martin even looks like the Lizard King. Splendor Solis, their 1993 debut was a smash in Canada with sales of a million copies - pretty impressive when one remembers that due to that country's small population, platinum status is awarded at 250,000 units. First track "The River" sets the tone with its esoteric lyrics, eastern-influenced guitar licks and tribal drumming. After a beautiful acoustic guitar solo called "Winter Solstice" we arrive at the album's piece de resistance: "Save Me," which slowly builds trance-like for over six minutes. Overall, this is a fine, if slightly pretentious album, and the band would improve upon their formula with their follow-up.