The story of Televise is the history of Simon Scott, musician. After drumming for The Charlottes and Slowdive in the late 80s and early 90s, he formed his own group, Inner Sleeve, in which he played guitar and sang lead vocals. Ultimately, however, he must have been unhappy with the songwriter / shoegazing direction his music had taken. Press sheet lore has it that Scott formed Televise after seeing Syd Barrett and being inspired to ?make the music I want to make?.

Televise, then, is the most recent manifestation of a musical career that went from indie rock and alternative songwriting to minimal electronica. A career which was always very close, but never really in the centre of things. And it is doubtful if Televise will finally take Simon Scott there. ?Strings and Wires? is a meticulous ep that has a soothing ambient feel to it and would sit perfectly in the catalogues of Kranky or City Centre Offices. Its six tracks (the sixth actually being a Mole Harness remix) are richly texturized, combining subtle guitar, crackling static and blissful electronic ornaments. Fennesz or Helios come to mind as the ep?s standout track, ?Perfect Sound?, is trickling into the bright sky depicted on the cover. ?Strings and Wires? is an unpretentious release but it mustn?t be overlooked.

It is the untarnished beauty of these tracks, however, that prevents the ep from really standing out. There?s hardly any moment of irritation on this recording, no darkness lingering underneath, no foreboding of things that might destroy the beauty on display. That Janus face, however, is what makes the best of recent electronic music so enthralling ? think Tim Hecker, Helios, Xela or Ben Frost. Finally making the music he wants to make, Simon Scott must be a very happy man. That?s why his music is so enjoyable. Not more. But definitely not less, either. 7/10 -- Jan-Arne Sohns (14 August, 2007)