After a number of years recording together, Schengen duo Nick Varney and Ian McKenzie have finally put their ideas into their first album. And what ideas they have. Infact, 'The Beijing Of Our Career' is so full of ideas it's like listening to a Various Artists compilation specialising in electronica acts. At times, like on 'Baked' and 'City', they hit their stride with some inspired vocal samples and there are shades of long-lost goth folkies Shelleyan Orphan on the superb 'Delight'. Meanwhile 'Iamnotafraidofpiano' comes across as a sped-up Vladislav Delay. On the debit side, other tracks finish before they've barely begun and there's a sense that their warm techno and occasional dalliances with drum and bass has been tried out before several years earlier. In conclusion, a solid, occasionally very sweet record but one which, unhealthily or not, lacks a real identity.