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| E P 2 REVIEWS... |
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For some reason or other, the news of a new release from Tenek is always gladdening. We have witnessed this with their past releases, and now the news of their “EP2” coming in early October with Toffeetones Records is coming right to us. Especially as this is tell-tale of work in progress, and we are indeed able to see or better said listen through the EP what their next full-length release is going to be like. And frankly, it’s going to be really something. While the band advances in their artistic progress, the already perfect 4-year old act refined their arsenal and they are getting the best out of the notion of new material. And what they do is amazing. In addition to very appetizing versions of tracks we were familiar with, such as their “On the Wire” gems “Higher Ground” and “The Art of Evasion” the new tracks, full-length and radio versions of which will be provided in the EP release, are very emotional pieces. “What Do You Want” is provocative, teasing and the sound keeps the melancholic vein of “On the Wire” adding on top of it resplendency and an energy that sounds really great in combination. “Elusive”, who semantically draws upon the same scheme that gave “The Art of Evasion” is just as much a very contemporary song and an unnamed tribute to our beloved music of the 1980's – with a very good edge and powerful magnetism. |
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Very well-layered, technically sound release from the constantly improving combination of Geoff Pinckney and Peter Steer. "Elusive" has the classic sound of an intro track for any Tenek live performance, and the addition of violin on "What Do You Want?" aids the mix. Hopefully a preview of a full length release by Tenek in the future. |
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Cracking EP featuring new tunes What Do You Want (featuring Chris Payne (Gary Numan/Dramatis) and Elusive plus alternate versions of Art of Evasion and Higher Ground. Atmospheric layered production and great tunes - why isn't this in the charts instead of the pseudo-American rubbish that pollutes our ears and airwaves? Anyone who love 80's music, synths, electronica and wants to channel Numan, Tears for Fears, Ultravox, Visage, Japan with a 2011 twist should buy this right away AND all of the Tenek back catalogue! Roll on next album! |
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Regular readers on this blog will know I love Tenek, whose album On The Wire featured in our Top 10 Synthpop Albums of 2010 (although strictly speaking, Tenek do a lot more than just synthpop). Their new EP certainly provides lots of listening pleasure: two fantastic brand-new songs (with two versions of each) accompany alternate takes of two of the best tracks from the album, making this EP a brilliant Tenek sampler. What Do You Want? is one of Tenek’s catchiest songs to date, with some inspired flourishes of sax, violin and cello broadening the soundscape. Elusive is a grittier number, with a classic new wave vibe and surprisingly barbed lyrics. Another bonus for those buying the CD version is the flipside coverart, cheekily dispelling any notions of innocence presumed from the front cover. It’s these sort of touches that you miss out on when you only get your music from Spotify or iTunes. |
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TENEK, the project of Geoff Pinckney and Peter Steer has received quite some acclaim with their previous two full-length releases 'Stateless' and 'On The Wire' plus a string of live performances for instance within the scopes the tour with DE/VISION. Now it's been a year since that last album came along and TENEK reveal their new 'EP2' which holds exactly two tracks, well the press kit version does. The first one of which, 'Elusive' can be more suitably describes as ambient synth pop. It's like the vocals are enveloped in a haze of melody lazed ambience that transports a certain melancholy undercurrent. Needless to say that it's a lovely little gem you can sing along to in no time. Track two is called 'What Do You Want?' and is rather classic TENEK material. The song's building on a simple rhythmic foundry that carries for instance the poignant violin opening. Sometimes sounds like a saxophone to me but that could be the processing as well. "What do you want from me / Are you looking for a reason why". Did I mention I love the chorus? Well, now you know. It's got everything it takes: It's catchy conveys a great deal o f emotions and is performed by a vocalist who's got the right timbre to do that properly. The only thing that spoils the pleasure of listening to the new EP is that thepress kit we received only included 2 of the actual 6 tracks on the EP. Those that are included are really quality and strong material. |
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Following the success of “On The Wire”, 2010's ‘Album Of The Year’ in my humble opinion, Geoff & Pete return with this tasty EP. Of course, the two new tracks are the biggest attraction here and it's the full-length versions of these which kick proceedings off in fine style with the participation of Chris Payne (formerly of Gary Numan's backing band) making this even more intriguing for 80s lovers and his distinctive, haunting viola adds to the dramatic edge of the opening “What Do You Want?” while Phil Jones' violin work adds another facet to the symphonic backing that once again proves Tenek are constantly looking to widen their sound pallet whilst never losing track of the fact that, at the end of the day, it's all about great songs. This fact is proven once again by the dancey “Elusive”, the instantly infectious feel of which is certain to get dancefloors buzzing over the coming months and even if the “Radio Edit” versions do lose something in comparison to their full-length brethren they will hopefully work in their intended environment to gain the band further exposure. There are also a couple of remixes to be found here, of the 80s-inspired “Higher Ground” and the melancholic “The Art Of Evasion”, both of which maintain the feel of the originals, the added sounds, although pleasant, adding nothing startlingly new in both cases but then, if they had, it would have been the equivalent of spraying graffiti on the Mona Lisa and then we'd have had something to moan about!! Still, buy this for these new tracks, delight in them and if you get the chance, see them live, you'll never have a better party!! |
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Tenek is the UK-based electropop creation of Geoff Pinckney (Mesh/The Nine) and Peter Steer and was featured on the latest Torul single with a remix of the track “In Whole”. A debut album was released in 2009 and since then a second album “On The Wire” has been released. “EP2? is the latest EP from the band. The opening track have some similarities with another UK band, Mesh. The catchy melodies and up-tempo electropop beats is there, even if Mesh showed off a darker approach on their latest album. The classic instruments of violins and saxophones make a great contrast to the electropop sound and the voice of Peter Steer is like made for it. Tenek find lots of inspiration from the 80's and 90's but with a modern touch. That is noticed in the second track new wave-ish “Elusive”. Two new tracks together with some previously released, this is a release worth checking out. To date, I’ve not heard very much from the band but the new track “What Do You Want?” is probably their strongest to date. The band goes is the same vein as Lowe, Michigan, Christopher Anton and mentioned Mesh. This is EP is like somekind of bridge between the latest album “On The Wire” and their forthcoming one, rumoured for release in 2012. |
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En utmärkt introduktion till nya fans. Tenek är tillbaka med en sexspårs-EP med den enkla titeln “EP2? och det var med en viss förväntan som jag satte mig ner för att lyssna på den. Deras senaste album – “On the Wire”, lät vid en första lyssning som [...] |
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Back at a time when MySpace was ‘cool’ and it was all about your automatic friend Tom rather than who has poked you, I remember listening to Tenek‘s debut album ‘Stateless‘ in admiration. Not only did I find it interesting to come across such a dynamic band on a social networking site, but little did I know I’d have involvement with them years down the line on what was to become New Reviews! So, here I am, tapping away on my Mac with ‘EP 2‘ circling my ears. The first track ‘What Do You Want?‘ features some dramatic violin from Chris Payne which gives the track an extra musical kick. Being the longest on the EP, it acts as a trampoline for experimentation. And as the EP continues it is easy to find yourself lost in the smooth vocals of Geoff Pinckney whilst your head is wrapped in an electropop-synth blanket. ‘Elusive”s urgent heart pulsating beat is right back to the Tenek I absolutely adore. The first track is a little different to what I’m personally used to, it needs a few listens for it to grow and lodge itself in my brain. But things like that can often come with time and you’ll find yourself listening to this EP several times over without realising. As I have just done… Therefore, my best advice for you is to click your mouse over here, learn a bit on Tenek and then get a copy on your iPod immediately. And take it from me, there is plenty to come for this brilliant band. Just you wait. |
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Synthpopl overs: get ready and settle in. Tenek are back to entertain you. After the successful release of their second album “On the wire” in 2010 a new record follows up, simply named “EP 2”. Since their first debut EP in 2007 the band, founded by Geoff Pinckney (The Nine/Mesh) and Peter Steer have come a long way. With their first longplayer “Stateless” (2009) in the back they gained a lot of experience due touring all over Europe. Putting to account those live impressions, they sharpened and improved their own style. A remix-edition of Tenek’s second release is planned for 2012. A little teaser is already given now. “EP 2” presents next to remixes of “Higher ground” and “Art of Evasion” two brand new tracks, including the long anticipated “What do you want”. Catchy dancefloor songs all along. Poppy melodies, accompanied by a gentle, charming voice, infect your body and touch your soul. Especially the opening tracks “What do you want” and “Elusive” stand out with additional violin parts, creating a dreamy atmosphere within the uptempo beats. No other than Chris Payne (know from Gary Numan/Dramatis) takes his hands on the strings. The EP is completed by four remixes, which deliver nice pop tunes with a certain high-quality retro-feeling. 80s-like partyhits polished up for the new century. Danceable, capturing and somehow familiar. Who likes bands like De/Vision, Hurts and Iris shouldn’t miss this record. It’s recommended for everybody else, who wants easy-listening, enjoyable music. Lean in and have a good time. |
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The opening track ‘What Do You Want?’ is a wonderful melodic, mood & ambient. As a whole ‘EP2’ is an indication where 80s music would have gone had it not been for manufactured bands / artists and cynical marketing = GREED! The production is excellent and it is framed in gold by the vocals. YES! |
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Tenek, one of the most consistently excellent acts on the synthpop scene, recently released a new EP that contains two new songs, a radio-friendly version of one of them and two remixes of songs from its stellar last album, On the Wire. The magic continues on this new disc, named EP2. EP2 opens with What Do You Want, a likeable mid-tempo number that features tight vocal harmony between Peter Steer and Geoff Pinckney atop a rollicking mix of synths, violin, cello and a driving drum track. The string instruments bring a strong organic feel to this excellent song, and form the perfect counterpoint to the rest of the song’s tight arrangement. The violin part was played by the legendary Chris Payne, who was part in the original line-up of Gary Numan’s band from 1979 to 1989. There’s also a bit of cello in this mix. Nicely done! The other new track on EP2 is next, Elusive, a dance floor filler that balances the duo’s awesome vocal harmony with a driving, echoing synth line. If God is in the details, then that explains why this is a divine track. Little synth bits drift in and out of the headphones, adding that extra element of aural appeal to an already solid track. Next up is an alternative mix of The Art of Evasion, one of my favorite tracks from On the Wire. I think I like the album track a bit better, which was just a little bit punchier than this version. After The Art of Evasion, the next track on EP2 is an alternative mix of Higher Ground, the last single from On the Wire. This track has a style similar to the last one- just a slightly different take on another excellent track that is hard to improve upon. Again, give me the album version over this one. Elusive (Radio Edit) closes EP2. Its arrangement has been altered slightly to reduce its length and make it more radio-friendly. If someone asks you, “Tenek? Who’s that?” then have them listen to this track. If they don’t go, “Wow! These guys are awsome!” then call for an ambulance, because it’s obvious they don’t have a pulse! I can’t wait for Tenek’s next full-length album. Hopefully they can make it to the States to play some gigs, too! Based upon what I’ve been seeing from the group’s Facebook fan page, the dynamic duo has been very busy playing gigs throughout Europe, steadily exposing more people to their unmistakable sound. I got to meet Geoff during the Chicago stop of the Legends of Synthpop tour in April; he was playing with Mesh. What a great guy! Bring Peter with you next time! |
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Few UK electronic pop acts manage to produce as professionally polished a sound as Tenek do. A look at the background of members Geoff Pinckney and Peter Steer readily explains that fact. But the production on this really is about as good as it gets. Fortunately, the songwriting hasn’t been neglected in any of this, with the mighty opening track What Do You Want? just about the best Tenek composition to date. Four cascading notes on a piano are quickly enveloped within sumptuous strings, cello and a striking violin melody (courtesy of Numan collaborator Chris Payne) and we’re into the first, driving verse of this cracking track – which only improves as a mellow guitar sound comes in on verse two reminding me of old Clan of Xymox material. The almost ruthlessly manipulative chorus is bound to be a corker live in terms of audience participation. Track three, The Art of Evasion, prompts thoughts of Songs From The Big Chair era Tears For Fears with its spacious arrangement of keys, strings and soaring lead vocals by Steer. Meanwhile, on Higher Ground Steers voice heads off in another direction, making you realise that between them, Pinckney and Steer can produce quite varied styles, resulting in plenty of dynamic range. A distinctive asset and one they leverage to its maximum potential without resorting to distracting trickery. This is the band’s eighth release, having steadily released a cluster of maxis, singles and two albums since their debut EP in 2007. Their work ethic suggests they don’t stretch themselves too thinly, preferring to keep the quality high and quantity sensible. Something an awful lot of their would-be competitors for your attention would be wise to pause and reflect on. For some, this may be too smooth, too polished, too clean. Those who like their synthpop edgier or featuring a bit of dirt may be left wanting. Others though, and one suspects given half the chance of exposure, a far wider general public, should find the potent combination of accomplished technical ability and natural talent for crafting fine pop songs instantly accessible and rewarding. |
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Reviewer: Octavian from Viva Music (www.darkwave.ro) - Rating 9/10
Reviewer: Trevor Cullum (iTunes Customer) - Rating 10/10
Reviewer: Side-Line Magazine - Rating 8/10 (side-line.com) 
Reviewer: Björn Andersson Black Vector Magazine - Rating 7/10 (blackvector.se)