Tennis #2 - Cape Dory Review

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I've not done an album review for a while, I'm not sure how many I'll do going forward. By the very nature of this blog if I'm posting it then I like it, so it's not so much a review section as a continual praise section... Nevertheless, this is my short two pence on the debut album from Denver based husband and wife duo Tennis. (Buy the LP from Insound and get the above poster above free. Lovely).

'Cape Dory' (the name of the couple’s sailing boat) is a concept album which in simple essence re-creates the story of their eight-month long sailing exploration in the form of lo-fi minimalist pop. Alaina Moore's candy-sweet vocals help bring out the romantic feel good factor on the tracks, from cutesy doo-wop sha-la-la's to puppy-love swooning complemented by Patrick Riley's minimalist guitar riffs jangling along nicely with consummate ease.

The indie-surf vibe might be a bit last year to some but in my ears it's not been bettered than on album standout "Marathon" which was rightfully the couple biggest blog hit last summer, here it's reworked with a much cleaner vocal, guaranteed to have you snapping your fingers along with the melodic harmonies.

The hazy vibe of "Bimini Bay", its laid back "ooh-woo-oohs" and sparking chimes bring the album close to 'Teen Dream' territory, "South Carolina" slightly more up-tempo, is another favourite and the saccharine sweet "Pigeon" which brings the romantic vibe to the front and allows the delicate vocals of Moore to really shine. "Seafarer" is another easy going slice of surf-pop which like the other tracks compliments each other perfectly.

I've read a few negative reviews of 'Cape Dory' and I think they are missing the point. The album is at 10 tracks long and run for just half an hour in length one that doesn't intend to outstay its welcome. It is a cute and happy collection of catchy songs that are not trying to be ground-breaking, ‘Cape Dory's’ concise album is meant to be enjoyed as one and fits beautifully together within its central theme.

I'm not sure on the January release date, although like Teen Dream last year, Tennis with 'Cape Dory' might just bring a little bit of summer out in the middle of this cold, miserable winter…Although, the less said about the cover the better.

8.0 / 10


Tennis - Pigeon from Scott Laidlaw on Vimeo.

Tennis - Marathon by morrisday

Tennis: "Bimini Bay" (Live - Acoustic) by Speaker Snacks