Title: Stateless
Artist: Tenek
Genre: Electro Pop
Release Date: 20th March 2009
Label: Toffeetones
Album Review
TENEK is the project of Geoff Pickney; some might know him as live keyboardist from MESH, and Peter Steer. Their first release was a limited edition EP of 200 copies put out in September 2007 which is now sold-out but still available digitally through the web shop of their record label. Both of the preceding singles to the album ‘Where’s the Time?’ and ‘Submission’ have been very well recognized in the UK and beyond making the band known to a wider audience. TENEK’s live credit already include a support slot for THE HUMAN LEAGUE and just a few months ago in April they had a tremendous European debut show in German at the Pluswelt Festival. Their first album is going by the name of ‘Stateless’, which hit stores on 20th March 2009.
TENEK are kicking things of on ‘Stateless’ with the track ‘Breakdown’ opening with a warped speech sample fading into a gritty little riff stepping into the background a little as electrifying beats are added eventually which develop a contagious groove. After hearing ‘Submission’ I fully understand why it was picked as a single. The chorus melody is brilliant and catchy and I’d like to see the one’s not going with its flow and singing along and the guitar texture backing it up gives it an additional energy boost. Further on we go with the single that actually was the first one off the album ‘Where’s the Time?’ Might not be the fastest affair ever but it’s a terrific song with lots of details incorporated into its structure to give proof that poppy doesn’t necessarily stand for simple. On ‘All the Same’, a much more natural sounding drum programming fades into the spotlight and TENEK are flexing their rock muscles here with a plethora of roaring riff action.
Also ‘Less is More’ begins with a riff (sample) but abandons the rocking elements later in favour of a traditionally electronic sound which has both a gloomy timbre and an aggressive face which is more common. Most striking though is the vocal performance on the track that deserves big kudos. Now we’re heading over to the album’s title track featuring kind of a wet pattern and comparatively little lyrics, but as a result you’re focussing more on the track’s sonic make up and there’s a whole lot to discover. ‘Sombre Friday’ which closes the album is completely instrumental and gets you carried away on washes of synth, urgent guitar plucks, and choirs atop slow beats.
‘Stateless’ is a debut album the band/project can be proud of with good reason. It combines classic structures with fresh elements, thus adding a breath of badly needed fresh air into the genre and by no means sounding stale.
Tracklist
01. Breakdown - 4:12
02. Submission - 4:28
03. If I Should Fall (Album version) - 4:23
04. Where's The Time? - 4:24
05. All The Same - 4:26
06. Fatality - 2:52
07. I Don't Cry (For You) - 3:52
08. Less Is More - 4:34
09. State Of Mind - 4:29
10. Stateless - 5:54
11. Sombre Friday - 4:12
Line-up
Geoff Pinckney - Vocals, Programming, Synths & Bass
Peter Steer - Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Synths & Programming
Website
http://www.myspace.com/tenekuk
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Extras: -
Total: 8 / 10
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