10″ vinyl, Textolux, 2007
www.syrphe.com
Tetra Plok is another musical project of the very prolific C-drik Fermont, known for his extensive work and participation in a wide number of projects, among them Kirdec, Moonsanto, Axiome, Elekore, Crno klank and Dead Hollywood Stars. From a musician essentially associated with breakcore and noise, the more pop-oriented sound of Tetra Plok may come as something of a surprise.
“Fear Of A Blind Date” can be easily described as music that could come out of the late 70’s and early 80’s first wave of Industrial if bands like Cabaret Voltaire, Clock DVA, DAF and Thomas Leer & Robert Rental (for example) would have developed a pop vocation to begin with. Tetra Plok is a throwback to the days of Punk and New Wave but a very original and well-produced one nevertheless, easily dwarfing most of what was released under the umbrella of the Electroclash trend.
The A-side of “Fear Of A Blind Date” covers an intimate sound of sorts, the highlight being the atmospheric and moody “Roofs Of Life”. On the B-side one will find “Some Day” and “Fear Of A Blind Date”, the quintessential ‘party tracks’ of this release. Mechanical beats and cold but contagious intrumentation are combined with haunting quasi-robotic female vocals for a very memorable result that is sure to stick in one’s mind for a long time.
While there is a serious lack of information on the album about Tetra Plok (no cover art, etc) the main caveat of this excellent 4-track is its duration. Personally, I can’t help but feel that an appetizer simply isn’t enough and would definitely welcome a full-length release.
[8/10]
— Miguel de Sousa