About that new TV On The Radio album…
September 24, 2008
I’ll start out by saying that as recently as last week, I didn’t “get” TV On The Radio. Sure, I came to appreciate singles “I Was A Lover”, “Staring At The Sun”, and “Wolf Like Me” after some repeated listenings but on the whole I just couldn’t get into their sound. I could admit they’re a talented group, but it always seemed like the melodies were too buried for me to grab onto. Even after hearing the ridiculous praise (an understatement) for the Dear Science, I was still skeptical, but now listening, I can safely say that I’ve been completely entranced by this monster of an album.
From the opening “ba ba ba da da”s of “Halfway Home” I was sold. The soulful electro beats of the next track, “Crying”, gave further proof of the albums greatness and pretty much the rest of the way through the album I was surprised again and again at how much I was sincerely enjoying this. It’s an incredibly consistent work quality-wise, but the variety of styles represented on the album is what really is keeps you interested, and that incredible horn section. What’s amazing to me is that for how much I like the dance floor ready singles “Dancing Choose” and “Golden Age”, the songs I keep coming back to are the ballads. “Family Tree” is absolutely drop-dead gorgeous. It actually isn’t too far removed from what I imagine Chris Martin is trying to do, just much better executed. The instrumentation on this track is absolutely inspiring, sounds like something that could be played at a wedding (even has lyrics about being married).
This all leads to “Lover’s Day”, the epic closing track which totally transcends, and yet somehow defines the rest of the album. I honestly haven’t been able to put together the right words to describe this song yet, but I know it gives me a that same kind of rush that I get from Sigur Ros or Arcade Fire or any number of bands that make you feel like going out there and conquering the world. And I’m as surprised as anyone that this is coming from a band which I previously thought was too obscure and dreary to actually make something that could be this powerfully moving. Way to prove me completely wrong, TV on the Radio.
MP3 Golden Age
MP3 Lover’s Day
Buy the Dear Science here. This album is much better when listened in full.
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Tags: TV on the Radio
Posted by Taylor in Album Review
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September 24th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
I am a huge TVOTR fan and have loved all their previous work. And whilst I think Dear Science is a very fine album, I think their other work is slightly better. Having said that, I agree with your comments on Lover’s Day. This song is truly uplifting and amazing. A landmark song.
September 24th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
So glad you’re on the TVotR bandwagon now.
September 24th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Nope, I’m still where you were a week ago. This does nothing for me. “Lover’s Day” is nice enough, but doesn’t give me anything like the rush that you describe.
You’ve convinced me to give the record a few more tries, but I just can’t really see the appeal.
September 24th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
took you long enough…
September 24th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
but you should be publicly scorned for the chris martin comparison. so off-base.
September 24th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
No, it’s totally not Z. I’ve heard like 10 people make the same comparison. The strings on Vida La Vida are very similar.
September 28th, 2008 at 1:06 am
Glad to see you come around to them! The album is quite special! Great stuff
October 6th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Howdy, been a looooooooooong time since I’ve dropped by your site. You’ve got some great new posts up. I’m so disappointed though that you jumped on the TVOTR bandwagon for this album. HOW DID YOU NOT LIKE “WOLF LIKE ME?”
I don’t get it. I feel like some space monster is streaming fake TVOTR to me alone. Sadly, I’ve yet to read a single negative review on this album.
Guess I’ll have to go back to listening to Britney Spears and Destiny’s Child at Virgin Megastore.
October 7th, 2008 at 6:14 am
I did like “Wolf Like Me”, quite a bit actually. I even said so in the first sentence! This the first time where I’ve loved a full TVOTR album.
October 7th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Ok I guess I was referring to the “came to appreciate” part of your sentence, So I kinda meant to imply -immediate like-
Anyhoo, keep up the mostly good work : )