| Artist |
| Tenek |
| Title |
| On The Wire |
| Format/Cat |
| CD TOFF0021 |
| Label |
| Toffeetones |
| Style |
| Synthpop |
| Date of review |
| 23rd November 2010 |
| Reviewer |
| Carl Jenkinson |
| Rating |
| 10/10 |
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I don't know about you but this new Tenek album has been one of my most eagerly-awaited releases of the year &, as good as Stateless was, it's a blast that this is so much better as the duo hone their skills still further to deliver a totally spellbinding release with not one poor track to be found. If you've seen the duo live at all over the past year or so you'll no doubt have already fallen in love with 'Losing 'Something' which kicks proceedings off in a typically infectious manner as well as the excellent single 'Blinded By You' which, for me, is a strong contender for track of the year & you can hardly have avoided the surging 'No Time For Fighting', the album version of which doesn't really make any drastic changes to the versions heard elsewhere, partly because it was already so good it didn't need to! What's even more exciting is that the rest of the tracks are just as good, bringing a vibe that, while it incorporates more 80s influences than ever still sounds totally up to date. No way is this any sort of retro trip, though, instead Brighton's own dynamic duo bring both sides of their musical influences together in a perfect mixture of old & new in their own unique style; witness the Numan-like synths that crop up on the excellent 'Loose Connection' or 'Higher Ground' which features some guitar work reminscent of Ultravox circa Systems Of Romance or the closing 'Under My Skin' where, aided by Michael Steer's bass work, the guitars & synths mix to create a more organic feel than they've done before. The effect so created is not totally dissimilar to bands such as The Killers but these two do it so much better with a melancholic edge that is sure to give you goosebumps (yes, I am talking from experience here!) & makes this a fitting closer. The excellence of 'Visions', with its unforgettable synthleads, makes for another outstanding track & even the analogue rhythms that grace 'Field Of View' manage to sound contemporary as they pave the way for a slice of accessible electronica, indicating that they're well able to absorb their labelmates' more eclectic leanings into their pop world. Add to this the touches of class that graces the soaring title track & the understated bittersweet work of art that is 'The Art Of Evasion' & what you've got is an absolute corker of an album that is surely the album of the year.
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