09.09.08
It’s not for the cock, it’s for a return from cookie mountain
Dear Science, - TV on the Radio
Ever since releasing one of the best albums of 2006, Return to Cookie Mountain, people have been waiting for TV on the Radio’s follow up with huge amounts of anticipation. Finally, TV on the Radio announced that they would be releasing their third LP, Dear Science, towards the end of September.
As opening track “Halfway Home” begins to build up, TV on the Radio are already managing to create an atmosphere that was felt throughout Return to Cookie Mountain. By the two-minute mark, you are fully immersed into the sound; this is TV on the Radio as we know and love them. By the time the crescendo reaches its peak and the distorted guitars kick in, you are on your feet ready for the rest of the album.
From the Prince-like “Crying” and “Dancing Choose”, which in the latter, the lyrics almost being thrown out of the speakers to the listener before resorting back to a typical TV on the Radio chorus, through to the first single off the album “Golden Age” it seems as if TV on the Radio are trying to be more upbeat. It’s working for them too.
Having almost spoken too soon, “Family Tree” comes on. With a piano ringing through the intro and with lines like “…onto the blue nightmare, of your heart…” this is by far the darkest track on the album. Yet as it begins to pick up, you get a sense of nostalgia floating over. You find yourself smiling, as though remembering your childhood.
As the album carries on, flowing through almost as many genres as there are tracks, “Shout Me Out” begins. Slowing the pace even more, the voice takes point, singing along with an almost lassiez-faire attitude. As he sings “Lord if you’ve got lungs, come on shout me out” the guitar and drums kick in and you feel yourself wanting to jump into the air. As soon as it reaches its full speed, it ends, and TV on the Radio move on to yet more styles.
As the final song, “Lover’s Day”, draws to an end, with its military style drums, you are left sitting there with a wide smile across your face. This album makes you feel happy throughout, whilst still leaving you pondering.
TV on the Radio have managed to produce an album that creates the same atmosphere as before, whilst giving the vocals more room, making it more accessible than the rest of their previous releases. In doing so, TV on the Radio have created their best record to date, and the best album of the year so far.
Dear Science, is released on the 22nd September, in the UK. The first single “Golden Age” is available to download now.
Check out their myspace, where you can listen to two tracks from Dear Science,:
and here is a live version of one of the songs from Return to Cookie Mountain:
Province (live) - TV on the Radio