Title: On The Wire
Artist: Tenek
Genre: Synth Pop
Release Date: 6th September 2010
Label: Toffeetones Records
Album Review
With the preceding single ‘Blinded By You’, TENEK have served us with a tasty appetizer for their upcoming album ‘On The Wire’ and expectations were accordingly high after that little treat, so let’s have a look at the full-length menu. The first course is called ‘Losing Something’ and is announced by deep and in a way threatening droning, dissolving into addictive rhythm work and an unashamedly catchy hook right to the first song “You know we’re losing something / we’ll never be the same”. Next up, the guys are activating ‘The Grid’ that opens with chopped sequences short moments before an organic beat kicks in and a blend of guitar and synth textures extend the vocal’s urgency. The mood swings suddenly with the guitars and distorted bass taking over for the chorus, instinctively making you go with the flow. Odd voices are swirling through the ether on the beginning of down-tempo ‘Field of View’, segueing into spherical pads, hovering like melancholy clouds above that subdued, multi-faceted rhythm.
Vocals come in very reluctant as if not to tear apart the moody build that’s been set up here with the track. Definitely one of my favourites! ‘No Time For Fighting’ is another one of them, taking off with a forward-pumping beat that calls for jumping. Then a short foray into melancholy for the ethereal vocals and the party goes on. Love those contrasts in the song, really. If it wasn’t for the eclectic, modern undergrowth of rhythm on ‘Visions’, the song could pass for a genuine 80s track! ‘The Art Of Evasion’ follows the motto “Less is More” in the rhythm department which is as minimalist as can be. On the other hand, the melodies were granted more room. They literally wrap around the vocal parts, drowning them in spheres. The title track gets back to the rather ambitious beat arrays while retaining an intense mood with a slight doze of desperation. ‘On The Wire’ is a delicious meal to stick with the metaphors used earlier. A fresh take on synthetic pop music and a damn good one I might add.
Tracklist
01. Losing Something - 4:45
02. The Grid - 4:29
03. Higher Ground (Album Version) - 4:01
04. Field Of View - 3:57
05. No Time For Fighting (Album Version) - 4:13
06. Blinded By You (Album Version) - 4:35
07. Loose Connection - 4:23
08. Visions - 4:38
09. The Art Of Evasion (Album Version) - 5:30
10. On The Wire - 4:14
11. Under My Skin - 5:14
Line-Up
Geoff Pinckney - Vocals, Programming, Synths & Bass
Peter Steer - Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Synths & Programming
Website
http://www.tenek.info/ / http://www.myspace.com/tenekuk
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 9
Extras: -
Total: 8.5 / 10
{jos_sb_discuss:19}
Comments powered by CComment