Reviewer: Mr.Blue - Rating 10/10 - Electronically Yours (league-online.com)

Hot on the heels from supporting The Human League, Tenek literally explode onto an unsuspecting world with their first album Stateless on Toffeetones Records.

As the album kicks off in a fast and furious manner with Breakdown, you head straight into intelligent electric guitar which vies with precision rhythms and a myriad of textures to condense into a sonic assault. Tenek make their intent and purpose clear from the start, they mean business and deliver the goods by the skip load. Before you have time to recover, Submission launches itself at your ears, and you are propelled into aural bliss. Big chunky sounds grip you, slabs of electric guitar sear away and the punchy chorus creates a classic track that some never even get close to.

Where's The Time? embarks on full on Metal On Metal territory and for a moment you are back on the Trans Europe Express. Tenek put their stamp on the affairs, and robotics are replaced by humans in this shadowy cyber world. Within this, Pete delivers a fat bass line that is used sparingly instead of being over indulgent. This shows a sense of restrained musicianship which is a constant throughout the whole album.

There is an odd sense of familiarity about I Don't Cry (For You) as I found myself hearing echoes of The Psychedelic Furs. The haunting synth refrain is a gentle blast from the past and willingly drags me back to my teens and I get flashbacks of the likes of B-Movie etc. There is a passion held within this track that no matter how many times you hit the repeat button, you do not tire of it. Less Is More delivers a real treat. Tenek drop a gentle tumbling synth line that holds electro pop at its heart and slip a vocoder into the proceedings for good measure.

The depth of the mix is incredible. Take time to listen and you find discreet textures lurking beneath the main structure of the songs. Pull back and the songs come into focus and it all makes sense. Pete's guitar playing is pitched to embellish Tenek, rather than overwhelm it. There is a dark edge, (neither overt nor menacing) but you know it is there, just like the David Lynch film Eraserhead a few seconds before the baby turns up.

This album sounds as though it is Tenek's 4th or 5th release and exudes self-confidence which is not marred with smugness. Stateless holds a perfect balance between bright and dark / harsh and smooth. I do not think this is a mere accident as they pull this off time and time again. Geoff's vocal range allows him to step between the soulful lament of If I Should Fall, to the punchy delivery on Submission in a faultless manner.

Tenek might be new the new boys on the scene, but do not think of them as just another band trying to cash in on the current electro scene. Both Geoff and Pete have been involved in electro for a few years now, with previous bands including Glasshouse and Alien 6. The chemistry is right and product is faultless. It deserves to be a success, especially as they manage to self produce an album of such a high standard.

Look out for these guys. One day they will be filling large venues or I will make someone else eat their shirt.

Reviewer: Carl Jenkinson - Rating 8/10 - hard-wired.org.uk

Geoff Pinckney & Pete Steer are living proof that, if you believe in yourself & refuse to let setbacks get you down then you'll eventually get your reward. Both have had long careers in the UK electronic music scene, dating back to the late 80s in both cases. In fact, they worked together as Glasshouse for a while in the 90s & Geoff enjoyed some success in the early noughties as part of The Nine, but, overall, both have struggled to get where they want to be. However, by reuniting as Tenek & signing to the Toffeetones label, there's a sense of optimism in the air & this debut album proves that it's well deserved with a strong release that proves the duo's knack of writing infectious but complex & sonically adventurous songs has plenty going for it. So while many synthpoppers opt for a minimalist feel Tenek do exactly the opposite; indeed, listen to any of these songs & there's plenty going on beneath the infectious exterior (the gritty guitar samples that grace the opening 'Breakdown' being one obvious example) but it's their songwriting talents that will win them many admirers with the preceeding singles 'If I Should Fall' & 'Where's The Time?' proving as enjoyable as ever while the ultra-catchy electro/disco ditty that is 'I Won't Cry (For You)' & the lively closer 'My Submission', which is the closest the duo come to returning to their 80s routes, all seem set to become future favourites. It's great to see Geoff & Pete back in business with an enthusiastic label behind them (in the UK this time, as well!) & with a busy gig schedule being put together, including a slot at the Pluswelt festival in Germany, then 2009 could well be Tenek's year!

Reviewer: Dave Charles - Rating 9/10 - DJ on 102.3 HFM via Facebook

teneks new album stateless is a collection of warm vibrant and well polished pop songs. Their second gig supporting Human league in Buxton, you would have thought a tough nut to crack ...But for the majority of the audience who were hearing the songs for the first time, soon warmed to them and i witnessed everyone clapping along to their new dance anthem Submission.....This is a real break thru album given the current climate of throat warbling wannabe Mariah,s a refreshing change, but a big ask to break the mould in the national charts. This group can start fanning the flames to get this band the noteriety it fully deserves. Looking forward to next gig and the guys promise theirs plenty of new tunes and albums to follow.... Dave.

Reviewer: Paul Shepherd (Customer) - Rating 10/10

"WHEN THE MACHINES ROCK" It's probably because tenek have flicked on the switch and tuned the twizzers...

After many years of relentlessly plugging away, tenek have brought us Stateless… a real masterpiece of electronica. Be prepared, this album will take you on an emotional rollercoaster. If you're living your life at a fast paced knife edge then you will feel at one with the manic screaming synths of Breakdown, the superb opener.

The guys go from one classic to another on this album... Where's The Time? Believe me; you NEED to make time for tenek. It's all packed into Stateless and after listening to the album it can leave you feeling burned out ya tree... If you start listening to the album on a Tuesday, study a track a day for 11 days and like they say it is indeed a sombre Friday, (just what the doctor ordered).

If you ever get the chance to see these guys live, then your journey with tenek gets better. Electronic music played at high altitude from their opener to the final curtain!

Well done chaps... "proper champion" as George Formby might have said.

Incidentally, I heard tenek got their name from listening to the end of the Heaven 17 classic Fascist Groove Thang! (tenek, tenek, tenek, tenek…). Well hopefully the will sound more like (kerching, kerching, kerching, kerching)!

Oh! just before thy goes...

Toffeetones is a blast of fresh air blowing away all the cobweb and dust particles from a turned off android. Well done Matt and Shaun...

Reviewer: Andy (Doctor of Tekno) Ives (DJ / Musician) - Rating 10/10

I have a very eclectic taste in music and when asked by singer songwriter Paula O'Brien if I wanted a copy of this album after checking their music out at Myspace, I jumped at the chance.

What a marvelous album it is too.

Great guitar and synthwork combined with awesome vocals/lyrics, this album needs to be heard (and bought) by everyone who likes the electronica genre of music.

I myself have not heard such a great album since Adfinems debut.

Standout tracks for me are, "If I Should Fall", the awesome "I Don't Cry (For You)" and instrumental "Sombre Friday".

These guys deserve to go a long way and im pretty sure they will buy this album, you wont regret it.

Reviewer: Oliver Gillespie (Customer) - Rating 10/10

What can one say about this album except its an absolutely stunning debut!! The sounds, the melodies, the songs one can't praise this release high enough; tenek are setting the standard for today's electronica!

I've been listening to electronic music for 30 years and composing and recording it for 26, and tenek got me excited, they reminded me why I started playing synths in the first place - those sounds man, they resonate in the DNA and make you rush straight into the studio for some serious self indulgent synthi fun.

So whether your a musician yourself or just love good music, add this release to your collection and allow yourself to float in statelessness.

Reviewer: Mandy Rogers (Electroqueer Facebook Group) - Rating 9/10

Whilst many of the online music communities have their ears keenly tuned to Depeche Mode’s Sounds Of The Universe leaks – I’m gonna fly in the face of fashion like I always do (not that I’m not excited by the opportunity to have Dave Gahan warble in my ear) cos TENEK – flippin heck!!!!

Peter and Geoff extended their cyber friendship to me last week. Tentatively I clicked up their profile presentation and was whammied into a state of instant attraction. Which rendered me to flex my plastic card in the Toffeetones store all within a 5 minute time span.

I haven’t had such a thrill of these proportions since Madchester’s finest whipped me madly by finding my destination X-cited last year.

You cannae deny that “Breakdown”, “Less Is More” and “Stateless” would not be seen as being out of place in a Whipsters live set. The energy they give off is maxed to mega wattage proportions. They make me wanna slip into some leather, sup up some bud and unleash my inner wild child craziness on the back seat of a Harley at over 100mph…..you getting the picture?…….my motors running boyz

OK back to planet real-land for a minuteo. Breaking my descent with the nu-retro waves of “If I should Fall”, “Where’s The Time?”, and “I Don’t Cry” (For You). Believe me they won’t wash over you but sweep you up in an electro tidal surge before being lulled ambiently, acoustically and instrumentally into “Sombre Friday”. It left me to reflect and piece together all the fragmented memories of my minxy motorcade misdemeanors that ocurred prior to a detour of rock-et fueled keys and guitar duals of “All The Same”. (Even if it was only wishful thinking!!)

You can safely conclude that these fellas have hit it Bright-on the button with me and are my pods new best british friends, but not so my bank managers!……..oh well.

This release needs to be in your collection, if you truly appreciate electronic music.

Reviewer: LaSaR (Customer) - Rating 10/10

Firstly, you should know that as I experience synaesthesia even before I put the album on I know it’s going to be a very pleasant experience – and that’s just the effect Pete and Geoff’s voices have!!

Anyway, having said that there were really no surprises that Stateless is a feast of intelligent, grown-up and confident music that really you just can’t ignore. And it’s such a huge sound – I saw them live very recently and it was a bit like an out of body experience cocooned in all that glorious sound.

Stateless has all the moods and rhythms I need to keep the flow of my writing, from the effortlessly sexy rhythms of “Less is More” and the breathtakingly beautiful “Fatality”, via the frenetic energy of “Breakdown” and “I Don’t Cry” and all the other tracks – there’s not a single track I don’t like. “Sombre Friday” should probably be available on prescription because seriously if you are feeling even the tiniest bit stressed, slip into this, breathe and let relaxation slide over you. It’s blissful.

If you are reading these reviews and you haven’t bought the album yet – why are you hesitating? You’re not going to be disappointed.

Reviewer: Jamie Little (Customer) - Rating 10/10

I've heard many bands play at various venues but none have hooked me quite like Tenek. I first heard a few teaser tracks off their Myspace site and so wanted to hear more. I then heard that they were bringing out an album, so I followed the link to Toffeetones and pre ordered the Stateless CD.

I can safely say that it is one of my fave albums. Every track is a belter.

If you are thinking about buying the Tenek Stateless CD,,then stop thinking and buy it.....You won't regret it.

Reviewer: Sebastian Huhn - Rating 8/10

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.

Reviewer: iSpearmint (iTunes UK) - Rating 10/10

An exciting mix of guitar and synth make this debut album one you can't take off repeat! Fusions of sound make this album, they've managed to choose instrumentation that is different from the norm, but together makes the music a pleasure to listen to.

Highlights are definitely the anthemic "If I Should Fall", "Fatality" a compelling instrumental that is crying out to be much longer than it is, "State of Mind" just works, can't put my finger on it, but the synths used just draw you in to the song. "Stateless" is a dance floor filler, can't get enough volume on this one. "Sombre Friday" the perfect chillout for the end of the album.

"Breakdown" has all the right elements to get the album off to a flying start, bass kicks in then dance floor overtones come in for the chorus, 'Submission" could almost be Gary Numan's foray in to the decade, "Where's The Time?" is deep but upbeat.

Love this album, looking forward to the next!

Reviewer: wildboar (www.discogs.com) - Rating 9/10

I got my copy of this from Peter Steers own hot little hand. And the bastard charged me a tenner for it. Just as well its worth the money then. For a couple of guys who seem to spend their time worshipping at the feet of the idols that are Ultravox, Human League et al, the sound they produce is far removed from the retro/tribute synth-pop that I was expecting. "If I Should Fall" drives along so energetically that its impossible not to sing along. Ok, so there are traces of Erasure there, but not sufficiently so for it to become a disturbing experience. This track apart its a darker offering than I anticipated, with lyrics reminiscent of "Strange Charm"-vintage Gary Numan and plenty of guitar work. I need to hear it a few more times before it really starts to grow on me, but its getting there.

Watch out for Peter Steers autobiographical "I Am The Weakest Link" on the next album !

Reviewer: Side Line Magazine (www.side-line.com) - Rating 8/10

Tenek is a new project set up by Geoff Pinckney (known from The Nine and Alien 6) and Pete Steer (Alien 6). Tenek sounds like a new exploration from the synth-pop fields, but with more explicit dance vibes at the forefront. That's for sure the main difference with the other projects from G. Pinckney although if all his stuff has been always quite danceable. Tenek sounds closer to a sort of power-pop driven by irresistible beats and based on melodious parts. There's a kind of mix between good-old 80s synth-pop reminiscences and modern textures. The influence of The Nine emerges at the surface of several songs, but Tenek is definitely more exciting than the average Nine-release.

"Stateless" sounds fascinating from start until finish, but my absolute fetish song will be the title track. "Stateless" is a pure synth-pop chef d'oeuvre leaded by an overwhelming, carrying melody and a percussive mix of 80s influences and technoid vibes. It's a hyper danceable cut and for sure a dancefloor killer. The typical, clear, but alluring vocals totally fit to the music and global spirit of this album. Tenek reveals a huge maturity and genius touch in the production. There's no doubt about the potential and experience of both musicians and that's for sure the best path to start with a new project! Among the other cuts I'll mention "Breakdown", "Submission", "All The Same" and "Less Is More" as most essential pieces. Tenek proves that good synh-pop can still making the news and I hope they'll be just a kind of warm-up for other bands to walk on the good way!

Reviewer: kontour2 (www.discogs.com) - Rating 8/10

This is a synth album that starts with a guitar – blasting into the albums intro of ‘Breakdown’. All the tracks on this album have great hooks and have you remembering the tune weeks afterwards.

Stand out tracks on this album are ‘I Don’t Cry (For You) and ‘Submission’ which always sounds great at their live shows.

The CD comes with some nice artwork and a black and white photograph of the duo performing live, which is what they do well. This is synthpop for the new millennium.

Reviewer: Linda Bennett: Grave Concerns Ezine (www.graveconcernsezine.com) - Rating 9/10

Tenek's debut album 'STATELESS' was released through the TOFFEETONES label on the 20th March 2009. The first single from the album 'Where's The Time?' was released on Monday 20th October 2008 achieving a number 2 position in the Dutch Underground Charts. The second single 'Submission' was released on the 23rd February 2009, succeeded to number 1 in the DUC. Their popularity is growing throughout the UK and Europe.

They are very true to their Electro/Alternative musical roots. You can hear the influences in Tenek's songs. The sharpness of Tenek's sound and the precision of their delivery indicates they are a talented musical group resembling a finely cut, highly polished diamond.

'Submission' Track 2 has a gripping bass-line combined with a simplicity of lyrics and melody while being the essence of musically hypnotic. Beware this will continue to play in your head long after you put the Track in it's holding place. Track 4 'Where Is The Time?' The sophisticated beats create the feeling of being in a ticking clock the size of Big Ben, a strangely appealing adventure. Track 6 'Fatality' should be the theme song for a 'James Bond' sequel, with action, intrigue, well tailored gents, and slinky femmes. Number 7 Track was precisely and musically well done but a bit bland. Track 8 'Less is More' had a good beat but I personally think it needs a little more. The title track 'Stateless' and 'Sombre Friday' showed what this group is made of and a glimpse into their musical potential.

They have everything they need, however I continued to feel the sensation of knowing they are capable of more, perhaps they are playing it a little safe.

All in all a great CD - Buy it!

Reviewer: Dom Smith: Sphere Magazine (www.spheremag.co.uk) - Rating 8/10

With their latest record ‘Stateless’, Brighton-based band two-piece Tenek have created a solid and soulful tribute to electronic rock music. On the opener ‘Breakdown’ the band blend the emotion of Mesh within the danceable pop hooks of The Chemical Brothers. Evocative lyrics brush up against screeching synths and bouncing electro beats.

‘Submission’ creates an ambient backdrop for some fantastic guitar work and uplifting synths which contrast with some standout angst-ridden and reflective vocals. ‘If I Should Fall’ meanwhile hits harder with some serious shredding and pulsating Industrial rhythms – it’s a powerful and dark ode to devotion and love that leads nicely into ‘Where is The Time?’. This is an affecting rocker that will lull the listener into a false sense of security with soothing tones before some seductive beats kick in about 2:40 minutes for a trippy and progressive electro-rock anthem. ‘All The Same’ strikes next and it’s fast pace offers up a real contrast to previous material on the disk. Here you can readily see the influence of The Crystal Method within the hard-yet-intelligent electronics which contrast nicely with the melodic vocal stylings.

‘Fatality’ fires off next, and it’s a soft and touching electro track that draws inspiration from the likes of Portishead. There’s an attractive, spacey ambience to this that will most certainly conjure images within your mind and transport you to a better time. Dirty synths crash in at around two minutes but this certainly doesn’t detract from the great impact of the tune. In contrast, ‘I Don’t Cry’ is a personal and dance-led tune that would certainly go down well with the EBM and Goth crowds. Everyone will be able to find something to identify with on this track and as such it has the most appeal of all the tunes on this offering. Meanwhile, ‘Less Is More’ attacks the senses like a totally addictive cyber virus that will infect the senses and engulf the soul in a cuccoon of cables and wires. This is probably the track where Tenek display their diversity the most. The tone changes a few times on this one but the music remains tight and each change of direction fits together nicely.

‘State Of Mind’ features all the emotion of VNV Nation and contrasts it with the darker sounds of Zeromancer. It’s a definite synth-pop track but it’s got a sinister undertone that is embedded within the lyrcs and the overall beat. Tenek seem to be all about contrasting sounds and ideas, mixing emotive and hypnotic vocal elements with poppy beats and the contrasting that with darker Industrial beats and themes that chronicle the more challenging parts of the human experience.

The synth-driven title track ‘Stateless’ is again very different to previous tracks as it incorporates the more dance-orientated tastes of the group. There’s flashes of everything from Faithless to The Chem Bros via The Human League. It’s time to get your glowsticks out people!

The album’s final tune is ‘Sombre Friday’ and it’s a proud ending to a seriously chunky body of work. Taking inspiration from Gary Numan at his most progressive and introspective Tenek will drive their point home and make a mark on your brain without even having to say a word. This is addictive and chilled out electronic music that will cater for those with a taste for both the light and dark sides of the modern electro spectrum. In short, it’s beautiful synth noise that you can’t afford to sniff at.

For fans of: Zeromancer, Depeche Mode, Mesh

Reviewer: TekNoir: Gothtronic Magazine (www.gothtronic.com) - Rating 8/10

The British electro band Tenek has some quite infectious electropop songs on their debut album Stateless, of which the best are ‘Breakdown’, ‘Where’s the Time?’ en ‘Submission’. Great vocals, catchy electro music and a fresh sound ensure that Tenek reaches out above the average bands in the synthpop genre.

It is immediately obvious that the two gentlemen in Tenek have more experience in producing electronic popmusic. Geoff Pinckney we already know from The Nine and Alien 6 and Pete Steer is known from Alien 6. What is striking is that the songs of Tenek have more balls than those of The Nine have ever had.

Tenek brilliantly manages to connect an 80’s influence to a modern and powerful sound with rock influences packaged into catchy electropop songs and this shows Tenek is a talented band of which we will no doubt hear a lot more.

Fans of Mesh and Iris will definitely like Tenek.

Reviewer: Electr-On Magazine (Poland) (www.electr-on.pl) - Rating 10/10

Ponad polowa roku 2009 za nami a tymczasem na moja muzyczna wedke nie zlapal sie zaden zóltodziób pukajacy do bram slawy i sukcesu ze swoim debiutanckim albumem, godny wiekszej uwagi niz jedno przesluchanie.

W koncu jednak jest i to rarytas, w którym zasmakowalem i ciagle nie mam dosc, dziekujac grupie Mesh, bo za ich sprawa gruba ryba zlapala sie na haczyk mojego wedziska. Tenek, bo o nim mowa, to duet Geoff Pinckney i Peter Steer. Prosze sobie glowy nie lamac Geoff Pinckey to ten sam gosc, który, na co dzien gra na klawiszach w grupie Mesh i najwyrazniej ten muzyczny pasjonat za bardzo sie tam nie realizuje, wiec szuka innych mozliwosci artystycznego wyzycia sie.

Taka okazje daje mu projekt TENEK. Wszyscy ci, którzy zakochali sie w latach 80-tych lub, co gorsze lub lepsze wyrosli na tych latach koniecznie musza zapoznac sie z plyta „Stateless”, poniewaz to nic innego jak duchowa strawa dla tych, co Johna Foxxa, Heaven 17, Omd czy Ultravox maja we krwi. Przede wszystkim, Duran Duran’owcy slinic sie beda ze szczescia. Pieknie jest zrobiona ta plyta na kultowych juz instrumentach miedzy innymi Korg Mono/Poly, Rolad JP 800 czy niesmiertelny Moog Prodigy. Za sprawa tych i podobnych analogów album brzmi cieplo, mieciutko wrecz pluszowo, ale nie przerazajcie sie nie jest slodko a lukier nie wycieka z odtwarzacza. Otwierajacy album „Breakdown” juz na samym poczatku wybija na to z glowy, kakofonia dzwieków, jazgotliwa klasyczna elektronika o delikatnych przesterach na wokalu. „Submission” to drugi singiel z tego albumu, dynamiczny zbudowany na klasycznym schemacie zwrotki i wykrzyczanego wpadajacego w ucho refrenu. Swietnie zaspiewany, zreszta od strony wokalnej bardzo dobrze sie panowie tutaj wzajemnie uzupelniaja, sam fakt bycia urodzonym w ojczyznie synth-popu daje swobode w operowaniu glosem, co nie zawsze sie udaje sie przykladowo zespolom z Niemiec. „If I Should Fall” to miód na serce wszystkich fanów Simona Le Bon i spólki. Pomimo pewnych ograniczen dzwiekowych, jakie daja old schoolowe keyboardy Peter i Geoff tak nimi manipuluja, ze caly album jest bardzo bogaty w rozwiazania dzwiekowe. Tych dwóch facetów potrafi krecic galkami i korzystac z dobrodziejstw techniki, która urodzila te instrumenty na przelomie lat 70-80 tych.

Wysmienity równiez jest pierwszy singiel z tego albumu „Where’s The Time?” który swego czasu sporo narozrabial na liscie DAC.

Przyjemnie sie tutaj slucha miekkich basów i wytlumionych padów, które wychodza spod palców tej dwójki. Wydaje sie, ze te instrumenty nie maja przed nimi tajemnic, a kwestia jest tylko umiejetnosc, pomysl i talent potrzebny do tego, aby czarowac chociazby takimi utworami jak „All The Same”. Kolejny numer, który zyje wlasnym zyciem, raz jeszcze obrazujac jak rózny mozna zrobic album majac w zasadzie ciagle w glowie naczelny pomysl:

Zrobic klasyczna elektroniczna plyte, ozywic raz jeszcze synth pop w jego podstawowych wymiarze, gladkie melodie, rozmach, swietne wokale, taneczne chwile w optymistycznej aurze. Osobiscie Tenek ma u mnie specjalne podziekowania za utwór „Less Is More”, którym przypomnieli mi jedna z bardziej nieodzalowanych grup na tej scenie Statemachine a swoja propozycja nawiazali do „Less Than Perfect”, ten sam rodzaj syntetycznego napiecia, który powoduje, ze juz chcemy, aby numer poszedl na calosc, eksplodowal genialnym refrenem, tymczasem trzyma nas to ciagle w pewnych ramach budujac niesamowita atmosfere wyczekiwania, nic tutaj nie jest oczywiste, no moze tym, ze „State Of Mind” to hicior bez dwóch zdan.

Jak zagrac, noworomantyczne electro lat 80 tych w XXI wieku? Jak pokazac, co znaczyla kiedys grupa Duran Duran czy The Human League, przed która notabene Tenek gral juz jako support?

Prosze bardzo, „State Of Mind” urok i cieplo analogowych syntezatorów ubarwionych gitara. Zreszta nawet gitary, które zostaly uzyte do stworzenia tych kompozycji to czysta klasyka, „Epiphone Les Paul” i poczciwy bas Washburn XB400 który wyposazony zostal w dodatek E-Bow który przedluza w nieskonczonosc dlugosc trwania dzwieku.

Takie patenty z powodzeniem stosowala grupa Depeche Mode czy The Cure. Koncówka plyty nawiazuje nieco do transowych rzeczy, zawierajac sie w prawie instrumentalnym „Stateless”, zas ostatni „Sombrer Friday” to juz czyste piekno instrumentalnej muzyki filmowej, której nie powstydzilby sie Hans Zimmer.

Fantastyczny debiut, zreszta wyczekiwany od chwili wydania Epki Tenek w 2007. Jesli sie nic nie zmieni mój kandydat na zwyciezce w corocznym plebiscycie electr-on DEBIUT ROKU.

Reviewer: Chuck Frey: Modern Synthpop Magazine (www.modernsynthpop.com) - Rating 9/10

Tenek’s new album, Stateless, is one of the standout synthpop releases of 2009. It’s filled with infectious, complex songs that are a delight to listen to, with a myriad of rhythms and textures that are pure ear candy.

Tenek is the latest project from Geoff Pinckney (The Nine/Mesh) and Pete Steer. Both gentlemen have had long careers in the UK electronic music scene, and it shows in the confident, polished but never over-produced arrangements on Stateless. This is the first full album produced by the duo.

What really sets Stateless apart is the variety of songs, from synth-driven pop to club-friendly, beat-heavy, densely arranged floor fillers, plus several impressive instrumental tracks. A number of songs do an excellent job of blending synthesizers with guitars – a rarity in most electronic music these days. Steer’s guitar playing is used for emphasis, and never overwhelms the arrangement of the songs.

I’m a fan of layered arrangements where different elements swim around in the headphones, sometimes supporting and other times contrasting with each other. That means there’s lots to love in Stateless. There is literally no filler on this album. Every song is a strong effort in its own right.

Here are a few highlights:

Breakdown – One of my favorite tracks on Stateless. A club-friendly beat becomes really pronounced in the chorus of this densely layered arrangement. Vocals are punctuated by some use of vocoder, but it’s not excessive.

Submission – Opens with very cool guitar riffs. This is a nicely arranged mid-tempo song.

If I Should Fall – A driving uptempo number with nice use of vocal harmony. Another favorite from this album.

Where’s the Time – A rocking song with a great rhythm. Rather sparsely arranged, with pulsating synths and lyrics providing a very effective counterpoint to each other.

Fatality – A mellow instrumental track that starts out with a sparse beat, adds an understated, spacey guitar riff and is eventually punctuated by driving synths about two-thirds of the way through. Nice!

I Don’t Cry (For You) – Intelligent lyrics and soaring synths combine with a nice, driving beat. Synthesized guitar is used nicely for emphasis between the chorus and verses. Another one of the better songs on Stateless.

Less is More- A driving beat and chilly, cool-sounding synths combined with Geoff’s sharply-punctuated vocal stylings make this perhaps the best track on the album, in my opinion.

State of Mind – Spacey opening that quickly evolves into a lush arrangement with pulsating, layered synths.

Sombre Friday – An awesome chilled-out instrumental that you simply must listen to on headphones. Nice layered arrangement point-counterpoint about halfway through the song between the stately “chorus” synths and an electric guitar.

If you’re a fan of contemporary synthpop, chances are you’re going to love Stateless, which is released on the Toffeetones label. I can’t wait to see where Pinckney and Steer go from here!