Teo Peralez

If the name Teo Peralez sounds familiar, it's probably because you've seen the signs around campus advertising his local performances. Then again, maybe you've just had a class with him.

Teo is in his third year at CSU, double-majoring in electrical/computer engineering and economics. With all of that on his plate, he has somehow still managed to release his third full album this September; a collection of acoustic alt-folk/indie-rock titled "The Smell of Burning Leaves…"

Don't worry: the songs aren't about engineering and economics. Like many great singer-songwriters, Teo's strength lies in his lyrics, through which he ruminates on depression, politics, spirituality and other serious matters such as donuts.

The lyrical content is broad, but Teo has the vocal range to match. Whether deep and urgent on "Bombs" ("mounted preachers speak / from pedestals of lies") or soft and lilting on "Blinded by a Memory" ("tranquil water and rustling trees are but memories"), Teo's voice has an appealing, resonant timbre.

Thankfully that means it's Teo's music, not his voice, which has garnered him comparisons to Bob Dylan.

Though other influences ranging from David King to Kurt Cobain and from The Ataris to The Ramones are apparent, the variation in style unfortunately doesn't constitute any variation in sound. Song after song finds Teo strumming a handful of overworked chords on his acoustic guitar in what is often a nearly identical rhythm.

This becomes grating, especially considering the fact that a hurried production (Teo was on a tight budget in the studio) means that his strings sometimes buzz or squeak unpleasantly.

So when Teo decides to show off his lightning quick fingers and keen ear for melody by playing lead guitar, such as on the punky "I Don't Care," it's like a much needed downpour during a drought. Likewise, by mixing arpeggiated picking with strumming on "Katie's Song (Summer Rains)," Teo helps to keep the album's sound fresh.

Still, through 15 songs stretching for just over an hour, it's hard not to hope for some piano, harmonica, percussion or even bagpipe - anything to break the monotony of guitar and more guitar.

As the ellipses in the title indicate, "The Smell of Burning Leaves…" sometimes sounds more like an unfinished idea than a complete work.

Certainly, like all 20-year-olds, Teo Peralez has a lot of room to grow, and his music is part of that.

But at his best, for instance on the barn-burning "300 Days" or introspective "Staring at the Ceiling," Teo proves himself to be an intelligent, potent songwriter and performer with a bright future in the Fort Collins music scene.

Staff writer Nick Scheidies can be reached at verve@collegian.com - The Rocky Mountain Collegian

Out of the distant plains of eastern Nebraska and into the cool desert nights of Colorado's music scene, Teo Peralez is blazing a mixed trail of folk-rock music that toys with punk and country that is sure to calm the nerves and dance with the mind. Set to release his new album in early 2008, it is sure to please the easy-going rockers that still like to revert back to rock and roll, but who also love the sounds of new styles now and then. You can catch his music being played throughout America in the college radio circuit, soon to be picked up by many more."
- Local Promo Connect

I think of music as a muse for blogging and writing
whatever comes to mind; a form of expression to
release tension and exorcise personal demons.
Music acts as a background sound like filtered noise
in a restaurant, but the truly great music will catch
attention and cause thought. True, inspired thought.
Maybe even dancing for those with the physical ability
to contort and control a body to a current of sound.

Teo Peralez does this for me. He takes the monotony
out of typing a mere “review” for an up and coming
band. I chose to feature his music and SonicBids
submission this quarter because of the way the songs
made me feel. That is the truest measure of art, in
my opinion. Something like a painting on a wall in
a crowded restaurant which draws attention due to
shape and color. Something not intended for the
limelight, but which can not be ignored.

I may have a cult fantasy about networking a
community of artists, poets, musicians and dreamers
in the form of a media outlet; a magazine. But, this
idea is not a solid one and will grow like moss on top
of rocks sticking their independent heads out of the
river stream fighting to the rhythm of a guitar meant
for melody. “Rocks” fighting to become organic and
alive, unable to drown or be pushed down by the
bottoms of corporate river boats leaking advertising.
Melody riding on a river is how burning leaves smell
to me. Somewhere from way out west….v

I chose Teo Peralez for feature because I connected
with the solos and the dark harmonies cascading
over chords. I also like the lyrics and I am a very verbal
person. I strongly recommend anyone who wants
something inspirational to perk up ears to listen to
“The Smell of Burning Leaves”. “Summer will be over soon and fall will soon begin” (from “Evangelist”), but
connecting to soulful music means never having to
lose yourself in the dark smoke rising over so many
meaningless songs.

And, honestly, “The Smell of Burning Leaves” is a
collection of songs where I am hard-pressed to find
a favorite. “Redemption” and “300 Days” caught my
ear instantly upon reviewing the SonicBids submission.
These songs sent me spiraling through the lyrics
printed at www.TeoPeralez.com. “Nebraska Soul”,
“Evangelist” and “And I Don’t Care” also tap into a
type of feeling which is difficult to describe in words.
One needs to just feel the music while riding down
a dusty road or even just drinking in a bar somewhere
after work before drunken epiphanies spring
to mind.

Personally, Teo Peralez strikes me as a down-to-
Earth guy who wants the freedom of self expression
and connection of calling on demons to release artistic
frustration. At times his music makes fun like in
the bonus track, “The Donut Song”.

Interested listeners can check out his music and order
a copy of “The Smell of Burning Leaves” at www.
TeoPeralez.com or www.Myspace.com/TeoPeralez. - Target Audience Magazine

"I chose Teo Peralez for feature because I connected with the solos and the dark harmonies cascading over chords... something like a painting on a wall in a crowded restaurant which draws attention due to shape and color... And, honestly, “The Smell of Burning Leaves” is a collection of songs where I am hard-pressed to find a favorite... one needs to just feel the music while riding down a dusty road or even just drinking in a bar somewhere after work before drunken epiphanies spring to mind."
- Ellen E. Aldridge, Editor-In-Chief, Target Audience Magazine

"...Teo Peralez is blazing a mixed trail of folk-rock music that toys with punk and country that is sure to calm the nerves and dance with the mind... "
- Local ProMo Music, Local Promo Music Voice Magazine (May 14, 0008)

"Like many great singer-songwriters, Teo's strength lies in his lyrics, through which he ruminates on depression, politics, spirituality and other serious matters such as donuts... Teo proves himself to be an intelligent, potent songwriter and performer with a bright future in the Fort Collins music scene."
- Nick Scheidies, The Rocky Mountain Collegian (Oct 02, 2008) - Various