Reviewer: Viviana Ball (vivamusic.ro/en) - Rating 9/10

Tenek - Artist Of The Month!

Confirming a long-term relationship between house and band, following two EP's, two singles and one album, the UK duo's new album is going to sweep you off your both feet. The Nine/Mesh's Geoff Pinckney and Pete Steer bring you a coherent and plausible eleven-track new album this fall, which most certainly should attract the attention of synthpop and actually all electronica aficionados.

The album opens up, literally, with a storm of sounds that, unlike the forces of nature, follows a danceable pattern. Do not let yourselves be fooled, however: a storm is near - from beckoning signs to alarm you'll get the feeling you're ‘Losing Something'. But you don't have the time to catch your breath: stand in awe before ‘Grid', which sounds in-cre-di-bly good and brings an 80's touch to the massively energetic album, with a nostalgic Human League and Soft Cell blend to it. ‘Higher Ground' ensues: it has an uplifting and optimistic tempo and it really takes you to where it says in the title.

‘Field of View' bears audible proofs tenek can still be experimental with sound, but create nonetheless quiet, mesmerizing tunes. ‘No Time for Fighting' is a more energetic track, and it's kindred in spirit and beat with most classical electronica, keeping at the same time a signature sound that actually befuddles any attempt at categorizing either band or song. Add to that that the track is very club-friendly and you get the perfect combination of rhythm and lyrical power.

‘Blinded by You', a personal paramount favorite of the album, has an adorable, stubborn, almost childish quality, with great jingle potential and you can just feel how articulate Pinckney-Steer are. ‘Loose Connection' is probably the most heterogeneous piece of the album, artistically wrought into a gem of a song, with great instrumentals and vocals. ‘Visions' is delightfully introed by voice distortions a la our favorite bands of the 80's, rushing forth in rivulets of electronic sound.

‘The Art of Evasion' is a song with personality; it impacts and at the same time allows itself to be mellow and intimate - a rare quality in today's scene. ‘On the Wire', the song that fashions the album title, has extra chant value and acts as a summa of the album's finest. Closing the full-circle of good work, ‘Under My Skin' has indeed a subcutaneous layer, as the title goes, and includes the most non-intrusive shot of adrenaline you're going to get these days.

Reviewer: Dani Kammler (neuweltmusic.com) - Rating 9/10

After the successful single release "Blinded By You" earlier this year the symphatic duo from the UK has some good news for us: their 2nd album "On The Wire" is ready to be released on September 6th. We got the possibility to pre-listen to the songs and I was pleasantly surprised. The album is a bit different to most of the releases these days, it's more optimistic and the music is creating a good atmosphere. Tenek send out positive vibes to infect us with a kind of nostalgic feeling combined with modernity. At some stages you feel like to be catapulted back to a dance floor in the 80's... strobe lights flash, the air full of mist, a heavy bass thumps towards you ... colour loops. Bits of the past, present and future, everything can be found on this album. For me the album has an interesting twist to it as it seems to be splited into two parts: relaxed Synth Pop with floating sounds on the one hand... funky, hard grinding electro for all dance-addicted on the other hand. My personal favourite is still "Blinded By You" which is in my opinion the strongest song on the album. The devilish good tune will be running around inside your head for days, believe me! "No Time For Fighting" and "On The Wire" caught also my attention as they are very powerful, energetic and melodic.

Extremely likable crossover of British synth pop music, electro grooves and stabs of driving guitars. ... An album refreshing for body and soul! ...

Reviewer: softsynth blog - Rating 8/10

While we quite enjoyed Tenek’s debut, Stateless, and looked forward to its efficiently-released follow-up, our expectations were realistically whelmed. That an album that hardly writes new history, or pushes electronic music into any particularly interesting new direction can be this good is a testament to the songwriting prowess of this constantly refreshing UK duo. The band go in a clearly-defined new direction.

While their first album was rather standard modern synthpop indicative of the aughts, On the Wire takes a decidedly retro path. There are songs here, like “The Art of Evasion” and “The Grid” and especially “Under my Skin” that evoke mid-80s Canadian synthpop. While listening to the album on repeat during a five-hour drive this weekend we kept flashing back to summer of ’85 or ’86 when songs by Strange Advance or Honeymoon Suite were all over the radio in this country. In and of itself that’s not germane to whether the album good or bad, it just very much “is”. It’s almost shocking how well the band ape the bygone era. Right down to the synths in use and the double tracked vocals every detail is just right. And while in lesser hands this retro party could get boring pretty quickly, the boys really pull it off. It’s strong music with a fun retro vibe, not simply retro music that pales in comparison to the music it’s trying to evoke.

And while the yesteryear compositions and fun and well executed, it’s those songs that try to live outside the album’s over-riding thesis that stand out as the best of the lot. The bombastic “Visions” or the melodically beautiful “Higher Ground” are asskickingly terrific in their own right. And best of all remains lead single “Blinded By You”, just a fantastic pop song that stands as among the best of its genre released this year.

Is this groundbreaking material or even remotely “new”? No, not even a little bit. But is it rock-solid electronic pop music, that is perfectly constructed, take-no-prisoners genre confection? You bet. They do what they do, and they do it wonderfully, unapologetically well. So well they’ve produced one of the best electronic albums of 2010, a review we offer without a shred of hesitation. This is a band that knows what they are and are continuing down a path that promised great, great things.

Pick it up without fear of disappointment.

Reviewer: Martina Peitz - Rating 8/10

Die Tage werden kürzer und dunkler. In wenigen Wochen steht die kuschelige Herbstzeit auf dem Kalender. Trübe oder verregnete Stunden werden neben den knapp gemessenen Sonnenmomenten die dritte Jahreszeit begleiten. Rechtzeitig erscheint im September ein Lichtblick um die Dunkelheit gemütlich Musik hörend vertreiben zu können. Als waschechte Briten kennen sich Tenek damit aus den Nebel zu vertreiben, um den Tag mit elektronischen Sonnenstrahlen zu füllen.

Die Reagenzgläser im Brightoner Soundkeller der beiden Tenek Herren brodeln auf Hochtouren, um die Essenz für den aktuellen Longplayer „On The Wire“ zu entwickeln. Diese Aufgabe fällt Geoff Pickney und Peter Steer nicht sonderlich schwer, denn schnell ist die richtige Elektronik- Gitarren- Kombination für einen stabilen Tanzrhythmus entstanden.

Im Gute- Laune- Fieber- Modus der vorab Single „Blinded By You“ braucht beim Start mit „ Losing Something“ noch niemand die Tanzfläche verlassen. Schweißtreibend blubbern die elektronischen Bläschen des Synthies satt durch die Boxen. Tenek setzen bei ihren Songs auf bewegungsfreundliche Melodien und sind so auf der sicheren Seite ihrer Hörerschaft. Bei „The Grid“ bekommt Peter Steer´s Saiteninstrument die Chance, sich nach vorn über die synthetischen Klangerzeuger zu spielen. Kunterbunte, künstliche Melodieläufe flimmern fein säuberlich zusammengeknüpft durch die Ohren und blasen mit „No Time For Fighting“ die letzten trüben Wolken aus dem Verstand. Taktvoll verlangsamt sich die Stromzufuhr mit „Field The View“. Spielereien aus Handarbeit mit synthetischen Elementen schwirren in „Loose Connection“ zum hallenden Gesang der sich durch das klopfende Herzstück von „Visions“ so richtig breit macht. Dann übernehmen Discoklänge die nächsten Minuten in „The Art Of Evasion“. Zum Titeltrack wird der Saft wieder voll aufgedreht und dynamische Beats tänzeln funkelnd auf der Starkstromleitung und verglühen erst mit dem letzten elektronischen Lebenszeichen von „Under My Skin“.

Reviewer: Reg Davey (www.nxlive.co.uk) - Rating 9.5/10

Tenek, the latest project by Geoff Pinckney and Peter Steer (Mesh/The Nine) return with new album “On The Wire” the follow-up to 2009's “Stateless”. With the single “Blinded By You” already out, its fair to say that this album has been hotly anticipated. And it’s certainly not going to disappoint, take it from me.

“On the Wire” is a confident, self-assured slice of synthpop beauty. Boasting crystal clear production values, sublime vocals and catchy electro-hooks, the album is an immediate hit.

Opening track “losing something” opens the album, and gets the foot tapping right from the first note.Its like a force of nature, the eye in the storm that is coming fast.

“The Grid” is pure 80s brought bang up to date, with a reverential nod to The Human League and Soft Cell. “Higher Ground” with its Depeche Mode style leanings, is a strong candidate for the second single off the album . A perfect pop track.

“Field Of View” shows the Tenek boys experimenting with their sound a little, coming on like La Roux and Ultravox mixed together. Very down-tempo and beautiful.

The album then changes pace with “No time for Fighting”, an altogether more upbeat offering and a firm favourite for club play. Amazing synths layered with ethereal vocals.

Then we have “Blinded By You”, the aforementioned first single, and a definite high-point of the album. Another up-beat song in the vein of contemporaries La Roux, with another healthy nod to bands like The Human League and Erasure. Another sublime slice of pop genius.

“Loose Connection” keeps the pace going, building the album up to heady, delirious heights, with a self-assured swagger and confidence rarely seen in music these days. Certainly no loose connection, more like a solid anchor in the album.

“Visions” is up next, and keeps the album moving onwards toward its conclusion, another candidate for a club favourite, with a slightly apocalyptic, but at the same time inward-seeking ambience to it.

“The Art Of Evasion” does the job of completely turning the album on its head, a simply breathtaking slice of heaven, which stands up there with the greats of the 80s. It’s the song that Tears For Fears wish they had written. I hate to overuse the word, but simply beautiful. A song to close all the doors, turn the light off and just float away to somewhere else beyond the confines of your life.

“On the wire” is by far the darkest track on the album, with a slice of disconnected dark beats and vulnerable vocals which slowly work together to draw you into its obsidian, night-time sonic soundcapes. Dark suicidal beauty contained in 4 minutes has never sounded more delicious.

And so we come to the final track “Under My Skin” which does exactly what it says, it creeps under the skin and infects you with its pop sensibilities, and is a great track with soaring guitar hooks and driving drum rhythms. A simply stunning end to the album which will leave you breathless in it’s wake.

I have to say that this album could quite possibly be one of the albums of the year, and with any luck will bring Tenek to the attention of a mainstream audience. With “On The Wire” Tenek have presented their manifesto to the music-listening public and record industry, and demand to be heard.

I have three words for you, if you have any real taste in music:

“Buy this album”

Reviewer: Sebastian Huhn (www.reflectionsofdarkness.com) - Rating 8.5/10

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 dose 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.

Reviewer: Steve Gray (www.electricity-club.co.uk) - Rating 8.5/10

Brighton-based duo TENEK first came to our attention with their debut album Stateless in 2009. Their distinctive sound, combining hard-edged electro with catchy synth pop hooks won them a legion of admirers. Geoff Pinckney and Peter Steer, who together make up TENEK, are themselves massive fans of the genre, and their influences past and present shine through in their music. Now they return with a brand new album, On the Wire.

At The Electricity Club, we adore great album artwork and the first thing that struck us about On the Wire was its brilliant cover. Stylish, sexy and subversive, it gives a pretty good indication of what lies inside.

For the first half on the album, TENEK take up from where they left off with Stateless. Tracks like Losing Something and Higher Ground have an immediate appeal and will translate well to the live environment. Highlights include No Time For Fighting with its pounding rhythm and anthemic synths.

Recent single Blinded By You demonstrates TENEK's knack for combining dark lyrical themes with a killer chorus. Incidentally, the single release of Blinded By You includes a show-stopping B-side, Synchronise. This track, with its clattering synths and shouted refrains sounds something like THE HUMAN LEAGUE's Rock & Roll for a new era! Synchronise is not included on the album, but anyone considering parting with some cash for On the Wire should consider stretching to the single release too. An extended remix of Blinded By You is also included.

Back to the album, and it's the second half that really showcases TENEK's versatility. Visions is superb, blending Peter and Geoff's vocal harmonies with an infectious melody and meticulous production. Then comes a subtle change of gear for future single The Art of Evasion, a reflective song which is surprisingly reminiscent of TEARS FOR FEARS. The album's title track On the Wire is another album highlight; a wonderfully dark and emotive song which demands to be played at high volume!

With their debut album, TENEK showed great promise. On the Wire delivers on that promise, with a more powerful sound and some inspired songwriting. The punchy electro stompers are still there, but what makes this album so engaging is the variety of textures and tempos on offer. TENEK are pushing the boundaries, and with songs this good they are poised to bring their music to the masses.

Reviewer: benny! (Customer) - Rating 10/10

Awesome CD. Great work!

My favourite tracks at the moment:

On The Wire, No Time For Fighting, The Art Of Evasion.

Keep up the great work!

Reviewer: Suzie Kidger (www.new-reviews.co.uk) - Rating 10/10

Ah... Here we go again - tenek - a band that you will never grow old of! Their latest album 'On the wire' is one that should definitely be in your CD collection; and if it isn't, you and me are having words.

From the kick go, their first track 'Losing something' will have you hooked! The track seems a little less heavy than their usual stuff, yet will grab your head with both hands and drag you in. I haven't been fortunate enough to experience these guys live, but I can imagine it being an event you will never forget. A gig you have to involve yourself in, no standing back and nodding your head occasionally. You just have to love tenek.

I recently put one of their tracks, 'Blinded by you' as my ringtone, and instantly they have gained interest just from those seconds until I answer my phone! People have commented saying why hadn't they heard of these guys before, and I kindly suggested them to many on Facebook. The first couple seconds of 'Losing something' reminds me of a Gary Numan track - although the name has slipped my mind and it will bug me for the rest of the day...*Resists looking on Google*

Listening to the whole album, it will grab your attention, twist it up, and dissolve your mind into a techno whirlwind! How brilliant does that sound! tenek have a gift that is very hard to explain... 'On the wire' pretty much says it all - music to ignore the world with, music to enjoy, and music to go bloody nuts to. And when I say 'go bloody nuts to' I'm talking about 'No time for fighting', a track that will get your heart racing and make you just want to move! Play it loud, and play it proud!

I will admit I am finding it difficult to talk about these guys, I get distracted and end up jigging about in my seat... However! You just have to listen to tenek, with tracks such as 'Loose connection' and 'On the wire' itself - you will find your hands looking for the nearest Google search bar to find out where you can see these guys. tenek are music for everyone's iPod, if you could fold up Pete and Geoff and get them out your pocket to play whenever you could, then I would - But unfortunately that might not work, so your iPod/Phone will have to do!

Be sure to grab this album as soon as you can, and experience music that will blow your ears off.

Reviewer: Chuck Mountain (Customer) - Rating 10/10

If Numan unwittingly captured the soundtrack of the angst of my earlier life, then tenek’s new album “on the wire” is pretty much the soundtrack to more recent months of my life. Which is in part why I love the album so much.

It’s not just the ever clever lyrics, or the familiar blend and tones of Pete and Geoff’s voices, or the subtleties in their music that evade you unless you have the headphones on, or the spirit of 80s music in there somewhere, there’s something else... you can’t quite put your finger on it, but you know it’s there.

Favourite tracks when stuck in traffic on the M25 are “On the Wire”, “Losing Something” and “Under My Skin” and “Loose Connections”. Favourite tracks when scribbling scripts are “Art of Evasion” and “Visions” but really, there’s not a duff track on the album.

Great stuff! This album deserves to be in your collection.

Reviewer: Olley (Customer) - Rating 10/10

The pop sensibilities of the Thompson Twins at their peak, the edge of Gary Numan and Depeche Mopde et al, incredibly high production values, what more could you ask for!! If you love electronic music buy this album, forget La Roux and Little Boots etc. this is the real deal, quality.

Reviewer: Didier Becu (www.darkentries.be) - Rating 8/10

Ze kunnen er in England wel weg mee als het op synthpopduo’s aankomt.

OMD, Pet Shop Boys of Erasure het zijn maar een paar voorbeeldjes en eigenlijk zou je daar gerust Tenek aan mogen toevoegen.

Het enige verschil is natuurlijk dat Tenek niet echt in villa’s met zwembaden resideert maar als je het puur op muzikaal vlak bekijkt dan zijn de gelijkenissen echt wel treffend.

Na hun goed ontvangen debuutplaat “Stateless” besloot de groep om het over een andere boeg te gooien en hun toenmalige synthpop wat extra dimensie te geven.

Op zich niks nieuws want eigenlijk hebben ze niet meer gedaan dan het allemaal in een futurepopjasje te steken, maar het belangrijkste is wel dat het zeer goed hebben gedaan want al bij al blijft futurepop één van de leukste genres uit de scene alleen was er op een bepaald moment nijpende bloedarmoede waardoor we heel wat rommel te horen kregen.

Hun tweede album maakt dezelfde indruk die Mesh ooit in hun hoogdagen gemaakt heeft, dit maar om te zeggen dat het synthpop met ballen is.

Bombastische synths die ooit ergens op “Berserker” van Gary Numan geraakt zijn gaan mooi hand in hand met geniale popsongs die (hoe kan het anders) gelijkenis vertonen met de begindagen van Depeche Mode.

Inderdaad, Tenek doet niks nieuws…inderdaad Tenek zal de geschiedenisboeken niet halen…en ja inderdaad, u hebt het al eens eerder gehoord : maar wat zou het?

Momenteel wordt je bestookt met het zogezegde “synthpopwonder” Hurts waarvan de merchandise je doet geloven dat ze de nieuwe Human League zijn.

Vergeet het, op de sexy vrouwen na is Tenek de nieuwe Human League…..

Reviewer: Rob Biggs (Customer) - Rating 10/10

Stunning second album full of songs that grab your attention and keep it. Cannot recommend it enough, its been my most played album on my ipod since I got it and reckon it will be for a while yet.

Reviewer: Neo (terrorverlag.de) - Rating 9/10

Zugegebenermaßen, der Name TENEK ist vielleicht nicht jedem ein Begriff, aber ich habe das starke Gefühl, dass sich das bald ändern wird, denn mit ihrem zweiten Longplayer „On the wire“ zeigen Geoff (live auch bei MESH tätig) und Peter wahre Größe, die Briten wollen anscheinend beweisen, dass sich Synthpop nicht immer gleich anhören muss.

Die beiden Herren beschreiten einen non-konformen Weg, in vielen Teilen erinnert mich der Sound stark an die britischen Plastik-Pop Vertreter der 80er mit einem leichten neuzeitlichen Touch. Einen großen Anteil daran haben auch die gut platzierten Gitarren, die einen regelrecht in die Jugend zurück katapultieren, solche Klänge werden heutzutage normalerweise nicht mehr eingesetzt, um so akzentuierter sind die neueren Synthesizer Parts, die mit den Saiteninstrumenten perfekt harmonieren und somit gleichzeitig die jüngere Generation ansprechen. Mit welchen großen Vertretern der „alten“ Zeit kann man TENEK nun vergleichen? Namen wie HEAVEN 17, FLOCK OF SEAGULLS, die THOMPSON TWINS oder TEARS FOR FEARS kommen einem in den Sinn, die auch heutzutage häufiger als Referenz genannt werden. Jedoch wähl(t)en die meisten „Verehrer“ der 80er komischerweise bei ihren Musikprojekten/ ihrer Hommage ganz andere Richtungen – wie etwa die typischen Synthpop Bands (die ich hier nicht zum 20.000 Mal erwähnen möchte) oder die ganz alten analogen Minimal-Stilistiken. Umso erfrischender ist es, wenn auch einer anderen Stilrichtung dieser Ära gehuldigt wird, und das auch noch auf einem so extrem hohen Niveau, welches ich nie für möglich gehalten hätte. Denn nicht nur der Ideenreichtum ist überdurchschnittlich, die tolle Stimme ist das I-Tüpfelchen für diese eingängig poppigen Songs, die es eigentlich in die Charts schaffen müssten, aber nicht jeder hat evtl. die Voraussetzungen wie MUSE.

Totale Partyhits („The Grid“, „Higher Ground“) sind genauso vorhanden wie nachdenkliche Songs („Field of view“, „The Art of Evasion“), alles hält sich perfekt die Waage und im Ganzen gesehen gehört „On the Wire“) zu einem dieser extrem seltenen Alben, die man durchgängig von vorne bis hinten lieben muss.... vorausgesetzt man mag natürlich die Musikrichtung, aber jeder, der sich hier angesprochen fühlt, kann eigentlich die CD fast bedenkenlos blind kaufen. OK, manchmal sind die Ähnlichkeiten zu gewissen Vorbildern oder Klassikern schon frappierend, aber dies verzeihe ich TENEK gerne nach so einer langen Durststrecke dieser Art von Musik, denn wer sehnt sich nicht insgeheim nach einem zweiten Teil des TEARS FOR FEARS-Klassikers „Songs from the big chair“.

Reviewer: Chuck Frey (modernsynthpop.com) - Rating 9/10

Tenek crafts an ‘asskickingly beautiful’ sophomore album, On the Wire

Geoff Pinckney and Peter Steer, better known as Tenek, have outdone themselves with their sophomore album, On the Wire. It builds on the momentum of last year’s Stateless release, and features another collection of delightfully complex and entertaining synthpop songs.

The duo’s confident songwriting and perfect musicianship are back with a vengeance on what one fellow synthpop blogger has accurately described as an “asskickingly beautiful” album. There’s no question in my mind that On the Wire is one of the best synthpop releases of 2010 that begs to be heard by a wider audience.

Here are some of the highlights:

Losing Something – This rollicking uptempo song gets On the Wire off to a kick-ass start with a strong bass beat and a driving mix of synths and guitar.

The Grid – A pulsating beat and propulsive lyrics power this standout song.

Higher Ground – A ringing lead guitar plays a delightful counterpoint to this song’s verses. The style of this song is reminiscent of some of The Fixx’s classic tracks. Higher Ground also showcases the fantastic vocal harmony between Pinckney and Steer.

Blinded by You – The single from In the Wire, the energetic Blinded by You is certain to be a dancefloor favorite at clubs worldwide.

The Art of Evasion – This slower song opens with a big, echoing analog synth intro that appears to be channeling Tears for Fears. When Steer kicks in with the lyrics, I’ll be darned – he even sounds a bit like Roland Orzibal. Don’t get me wrong – I mean this comparison in a very positive way. This is an awesome, moving song that is another one of my favorites.

On the Wire – This densely layered, propulsive track cranks the energy level back up, and features a deeply throbbing bass synth, the perfect counterpart to its soaring vocals.

Under My Skin – The perfect end to a perfect album, Under My Skin features killer guitar hooks, driving drum rhythms, soaring background synths and excellent vocal harmonies. An amazing pop song that is a powerful exclamation point to this outstanding collection of synthpop songs!

I strongly encourage you to pick up On the Wire. You won’t be disappointed!

Reviewer: Steve Kalinowski - Rating 10/10 (mojosteve.blogspot.com)

I feel bad for anyone releasing an album between now and the end of the year. Why? Because hands down I have already picked my Album of the Year for 2010. Nothing short of a live soundboard concert of Depeche Mode, Erasure, Pet Shop Boys, 1989-era New Order, a reunited 1994-era lineup of The Cure, and a reunited Smiths all playing back to back performing in my back yard will make me change my mind. This year is the Year of Tenek, and their new album "On The Wire".

I've had the album for awhile now and have been seriously remiss in not reviewing it sooner, and for that I owe an apology both to you as readers and to the band themselves. If you like electronic music fused with danceable guitars, without that pre-packaged over-produced nonsense fed to you by pop radio, if you grew up to the sound of synths, samples, loops, and beats married to brilliant hooks and wicked grooves, look no further than Sussex. Look no further than the seaside town of Brighton. Look no further than tenek.

Remember discovering a new band that you couldn't get enough of and you were torn between jealously keeping their cool-factor to yourself and sharing it with everyone you know and then being the smug one who was into them first? That's tenek.

You'll recall a few months back I gave you a heads up about new music from tenek when I reviewed "Blinded By You", the first single from "On The Wire". I'm pretty sure that song is getting the nod for Song of the Year this year, incidentally.

It's hard to review an album for a couple of guys that you consider friends. You don't want to come off as blowing sunshine up anyone's arse, theirs or those of potential fans, but I really can't come up with anything bad to say about this album. There have been very few albums in my life where I can listen to it start to finish and not skip tracks or get bored or find a song I didn't like. By request I can name a few if you ask. *grin* But Peter Steer and Geoff Pinckney are class-act guys who don't disappoint.

"On The Wire" is only the second full-length album from tenek, but suffers none of the usual sophomore-slump that affects so many acts that have a brilliant debut. That debut, "Stateless" was only released 19 months ago in March 2009, but the followup doesn't feel rushed at all. Continuing their work with Shaun Brooks, the brilliant house engineer at Toffeetones Records, "On The Wire" is refined, smooth, impeccably put together, and the track listing flows with an awesome synergy that makes it a great listen front to back, full of mid-to-high tempo songs that keep you dancing at the club, bouncing in your chair at work, tapping the beat out on the steering wheel driving about town, or if you're a geek like me, playing air-synth on any available flat surface.

There's no shortage of potential singles to choose from to follow up "Blinded By You". The opening track, "Losing Something" sucks you in immediately and gets you moving, as does "Higher Ground". "No Time For Fighting" compells you to move; you simply cannot stand still while listening to it. The closest thing to a slow track, the lush and soaring " The Art of Evasion" sucks you in and reminds you of sipping espresso at a corner table on a gray autumn Saturday afternoon with someone you were mad about but could never quite work it out with. And not ones to end on a dull note, the rip-stomping "Under My Skin" is the song you'll be singing along with and re-playing to keep singing along with when it ends.

"On The Wire" does exactly what you want electronic music to do for you...it makes you move, it makes you feel, it reminds you of good times gone and sets you up for better times to come, and it pays homage to all the best music you grew up with without sounding the least bit dated or jaded. It sounds fresh and new and unique yet familiar and comfortable, and if you don't get this for yourself immediately, you're missing out. In fact, the holidays are coming, so get thee to either the label's online shop in the UK or A Different Drum's website here in the USA and do yourself a favor. The gift of new music gets you far.

Reviewer: Carl Jenkinson - Rating 10/10 (hard-wired.org.uk)

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.

Reviewer: Side-Line Magazine - Rating 9/10 (side-line.com)

The good news is that Brighton's own dynamic duo are back with their much anticipated new album and the even better news is that it even outstrips their excellent debut “Stateless” in pretty much every respect. Not only is it more consistent and with a higher standard of song-writing it sees Pete & Geoff mixing more of the 80s influences into their sound whilst still sounding more modern than ever.

You only have to listen to “Higher Ground” with its Ultravox circa “Systems Of Romance”-style guitar work, the already well-loved punchy pop of “No Time For Fighting” or the unforgettably bittersweet closer that is “Under My Skin” which shows bands like The Killers how it's done to appreciate how fine this balancing act is while the laidback electronica of “Field Of View” shows that they're not afraid to incorporate some of their label mates' more esoteric leanings into their altogether more accessible sound (good analogue rhythms, too!). However, in no way is this any sort of 'retro' trip, this is a totally forward-looking release where great song follows great song, be it the infectious opener “Losing Something” or the excellence of “Visions” with its raunchy synthleads while the Numan influences that grace “Loose Connection” contribute towards another excellent track.

And while I thought the candidate for Track Of The Year that is “Blinded By You” would be the highlight by some margin the fact is that there are plenty of others vying for its crown, a number of which crop up towards the end as the album takes on a more bittersweet, reflective tone with the understated title track and “The Art Of Evasion” both packing the sort of emotive punch that's likely to give you goosebumps (and yes, I do speak from experience here!).

Yes, there really is nothing bad to be said about this album, this British duo have come up trumps with one of the year's finest albums, whatever you do, do not miss out on this one!