Thennik - M5J

Thennik

M5J
self-released; 2017

​3.5 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

Thennik is an artist from Australia who has been playing for about fourteen years. Apparently his album M5J is a contribution to Piano Day which is apparently a thing. According to the artist, “The album was made over about three months; I would sit at the piano every few weeks and play long sessions, and then pick the best bits.” In other words the album was improvised.

​I have mixed thoughts about this process and I for one couldn't imagine making an album like this but to each his own. If there were multiple people improvising I think I couldn'y handle it but one sole instrument felt more appropriate and less pompous than three or four people deciding to make up songs on the spot and releasing them. 

Thennik recorded this album with one condenser microphone. To be blunt I would have preferred two. The recording lacks the stereo width and detailed nuance you can achieve when  recording in stereo. 

Thennik showcases good, maybe great, piano skills on this album. I enjoyed the melodies which all run into each other. This album could have been one song or split up like he chose. It works either way.

His piano songs are all fragile, contemplative and melancholy. The artist explains that, “The intention was to make a relaxing, late-night sort of album.” If that was the goal he succeeded. I say this as a compliment that this music felt passive. It does not require active attention to be appreciated and creates a mood that I think might be appropriate while deep in thought sipping on tea, cooking up some food and just getting ready for sleep.

I suppose some of the intrigue of an improvised album is the mistakes that could happen. I can't say any were noticeable to my ears. His playing was refined and spot on even on the longer songs such as “Julia.”

If there was ever an album that didn’t need an explanation of individual songs this is it. I would just drink some tea, get cozy and press play.

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