London based Elena were formed late 2003, and their unique selling point is El's sultry, throaty vocals that fall somewhere between Cerys Mathews, Marianne Faithful, and Hazel O'Connor. It's a smoky addictive voice, the sort you'd want to have phone sex with. But there's an 'edge' there - a hint of danger and unpredictability. It would be easy to rack up a premium line bill of monumental proportion.

The songs themselves are uncluttered, with simplistic structures reflective of the mid 80's but adjoined with some stirring choruses and anthemic hooks. But it is El's vocals that make the band's sound stand out from the crowd.

Success? Entirely possible. But if El asks to cuff you, think twice before you defer. Before you know it, the gimp mask, nipple clamps and hot wax could be whipped out. Pleasure and pain, that's what Elena are all about. And d'you know what? I rather enjoyed the experience.

***½

Review by Pete Whalley