TV on the Radio | Dear Science,

Interscope

By MICHAEL PATRICK BRADY | September 16, 2008

3.0 Stars

Five years after their debut, TV on the Radio remain fiercely independent (major label notwithstanding) — an iconoclastic mélange of nervy rock, loopy, squalling tangents, and soulful vocals provided by Tunde Adebimpe and Kyp Malone. Their latest is roughly split between fiery rave-ups and introspective ballads, making liberal use of two major accents: the horns of the Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra and a patina of solemn strings. A genre-bending number like “Crying” is where TVOTR shine; they put Kyp Malone’s evocative R&B falsetto over a digitized, pixelated melody that sounds like past, present, and future all at once. Adebimpe dominates “Dancing Choose” and “DLZ,” gliding from pointed invectives to tender whispers. “Red Dress” is straight out of Paisley Park, irrepressibly danceable and more straightforward than anything they’ve done so far. “Family Tree” might be their most unusual effort: a dimly lit arrangement of minor-key piano and strings whose playful morbidity (“the gallows of your family tree”) sounds akin to the Moz. Although it’s not a major departure, Dear Science, does have a more open, brighter sound than Return to Cookie Mountain. TVOTR have maintained their special vision while drawing in new ideas and expanding their sound.

Topics: CD Reviews , Media, Radio, TV on the Radio, More

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