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TV On The Radio – Dead Science Review

21 October 2008, Allan @ 6:46 pm
I’m not a TV on The Radio fan but I’ve heard about them extensively especially with their critically acclaimed release “Dead Science” which was released last month. I know nothing about TV on The Radio’s previous records and I’m going in the dark based on the overwhelming critical and public response.

TV on the Radio is labeled in the “experimental genre” so while I can’t really describe their sound, most reviews on their album are based on the lyrical content of the album. I really would describe their music as a little weird for me, at times it feels like an upbeat disco or we get some fine classical composition via the violin.

This album is hit and miss for me on a lot of tracks. Primarily some of the music doesn’t quite win me over despite having good lyrical content or some things that are obvious worthy of praise. I should look at lyrics more closely I guess but is it just me or that’s the last thing I look to when checking out music? If I don’t enjoy the song I’m probably not going to be active in searching more of the track. I would point to Golden Age the first single off the album. Elbo.ws was populated with the postings of the video.

There are quite a bit songs I do enjoy, I’ll list them if you like: Halfway Home, Crying, Dancing Choose, Stork and Owl, Family Tree, Love Dog, DLZ and Shout Me Out. Stork and Owl and Family Tree are by far my favorites but each of those tracks has something that makes it stand out. I like it’s too easy to point out the greatness on these tracks, I guess I’ll concentrate on the tracks I don’t like it.

Golden Age and Red Dress seem to clash music with vocals and while I think lyrically they are solid, musical composition and just how things sound is the most important denominator when it comes to liking music. I simply can’t get into these songs because they just don’t possess the same quality. Granted some of these tracks are upbeat but it’s more of a mess. In their efforts to try more, it’s failed for me.

An alright album for me, nothing GREAT and I’d personally rather populate my top 20 list of the year with other albums. Maybe someone can enlighten me but otherwise I’m disagreeing.
Rating: 3.9 out of 5

Family Tree by TV On The Radio

Stork and Owl by TV On The Radio

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Filed under: TV On The Radio

Tags: album

9 Comments

1. Rob — October 22, 2008 @ 9:05 pm
   
   

   I’m right there with you on this album, I never could really get into it. That said, the big difference between the two of us was that TVOTR’s ‘Return to Cookie Mountain’ was my favourite album of 2006…




2. Allan — October 22, 2008 @ 9:17 pm
   
   

   Yeah I need to check that out.




3. Anonymous — November 7, 2008 @ 7:44 am
   
   

   8 songs, 8 songs off the album that you like and you cant endorse it a little more? what more do you want from a group?




4. Allan — November 7, 2008 @ 2:31 pm
   
   

   Well TV On The Radio can be endorsed by Pitchfork.

   I’ve got other bands I want to endorse.




5. Anonymous — January 14, 2009 @ 9:09 pm
   
   

   TV on the radio were probably the most overrated band of 2008. by probably i mean definitely




6. Scarlett — January 26, 2009 @ 7:04 am
   
   

   Dude. Your attitude leaves a lot to be desired. I love TV on the Radio and I too don’t think Dear Science is a brilliant record. However I think you’ve unjustly reviewed this and perhaps hype has clouded your judgment.




7. Allan — January 26, 2009 @ 7:13 am
   
   

   Hmm 3.9 is pretty generous for an album I didn’t like.

   Hype could’ve clouded my judgment but what other basis did I have to go on when being introduced to TV on the Radio?




8. Scarlett — January 26, 2009 @ 7:20 am
   
   

   See here’s where my critcism of this review lies, I think that to understand and thus appreciate this album it must be considered in the context of the TV on the Radio records that came before it. Like I said, I’m not huge on the album, but by being familiar with their previous work, I can understand it’s place and value.

   I understand your review is to be based on the merits of the album alone and it doesn’t stand all that strong. But I think that if you were to look into their back catalogue, Dear Science takes on a different value. At least I was able to appreciate it further in this way.

   Also, thanks for replying to my comment.




9. Allan — January 26, 2009 @ 7:25 am
   
   

   Hmm well that’s fair. A lot of people have told me about previous TV on The Radio records and yeah I definitely need to check out a few (including Return to Cookie Mountain).

   I think with a lot of artists, the full picture is never realized when finding or checking them out mid-way and you get a sense that maybe there is something missing…

   Hmm I have no problem answering to comments, haha there are a lot of worse reviews as you get into the older section though.

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