I had a great feeling about TV On The Radio’s 3rd album when I heard the amazing ‘Dancing Choose’. In more ways than one ‘Dancing Choose’ summarizes my feelings on ‘Dear Science’. It starts out vastly different from what you expect with a rap about a newspaper man, but it turns into a pop brilliance that you will not want to leave your mind. The song is bizarre, yet it is immediately accessible. It has elements of the the familiar TVOTR, yet shares differences at the same time. This helps summarize the experience that is ‘Dear Science’.
TVOTR take the success they had with ‘Return To Cookie Mountain’ and combine it with funk, soul to create yet another fantastic album. The type of music they play doesn’t seem like it would be accessible. Yet, this album actually connected with me instantly, unlike ‘Return To Cookie Mountain.’ I mean how an you not get pulled in with the soulful vocals of Tunde Adebimpe’s and Kyp Malones (guitarist as well). A lot is due to the other guitarist and producer David Sitek who made each track on this album sound crisp.
This album is groundbreaking material for a band that was already at the top of its game. The only true way to form an opinion on this album, and any TVOTR album in my opinion, is to give it tons and tons of listens. I honestly don’t see how one can observe everything that they are offering to us in one listen. There are new things waiting to be heard after each listen, that make the songs that much better. To the music fan this is gold. We want to discover that part of a song that puts it over the rest.
Right from the get go the Brooklyn band set the bar high. The first track ‘Halfway Home’ is unbelievably great. Epic drums, fuzzy guitars, and Tunde Adibempe’s soulful croon that is heightened beyond belief in this song. This song soars, and shows why TV On The Radio are in a totally different league than most bands. ‘Crying’ carry’s the momentum with a deep funky bass alongside dueling angular guitars that are welcome on any dance floor. The production is so crisp on these songs, it really makes a difference. If they tried to force their distorted/funky trademark on songs like this, it would have done more harm then good. ‘Dancing Choose’ may be my favorite single at the moment, it is a ball of fury that truly stands out from everything else in any genre of music. ‘Golden Age’ is the lead single and for good reason. It is pure funk-bliss with a sweeping chorus that ulitmatly paves the way to a golden age of music.
‘Family Tree’ may be one of TVOTR’s boldest statements. It is a gorgeous ballad, showing the band stripped down. It is a different side of the band, and it really shines. Same with ‘Love Dog’ where lighter instruments show the range Tunde’ vocals. ‘Shout Me Out’ has a repetitive guitar but a sharp echoing riff plays as its shadow, eventually exploding into a fury of rock. ‘DLZ’ and ‘Lovers Day’ end out the album appropriately with a frenzy of different instruments and horns that just add more layers.
This is smart, bold, captivating music. It is complex, yet easy to “get”. It is not so much of a departure from their layered sound that was hard for some to get, but rather a more accessible pop album that has elements of everything in their past. If you don’t think this is one of the best albums of 2008, please explain what is better than it. I am eager to see that. This is a work of art that will be a quintessential example of the brilliance that came out of the 21st century.
Rating: 9.3
1. Halfway Home – 5/5
2. Crying – 4.75/5
3. Dancing Choose – 5/5
4. Stork & Owl – 4/5
5. Golden Age – 5/5
6. Family Tree – 5/5
7. Red Dress – 4/5
8. Love Dog – 4.5/5
9. Shout Me Out – 4.75/5
10. DLZ – 4.5/5
11. Lover’s Day – 4.5/5
TV On The Radio – Dancing Choose (MP3)
Tv On The Radio – Halfway Home (MP3)
TV On The Radio – Family Tree (MP3)
Join the conversation