Spotlight: TV On The Radio

(To commemorate the release of TV On The Radio's new album, Dear Science, I've decided to post reviews for their previous two albums to show how I arrived at my opinion of their new release. Below are reviews for Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes and Return To Cookie Mountain. Tomorrow I will post my review for Dear Science.)

TV On The Radio - Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes (2004)

TV On The Radio's debut full-length came at a time weird time for me. Spurred by some disappointing releases by some of my favorite acts (including Interpol's Antics) and the Great Arcade Fire Circle Jerk of 2004, indie rock was becoming a bastion for unoriginal, overhyped acts being praised by publications for simply rehashing previously successful formulas. As Stephen Colbert phrased during his "feud" with the band The Decemberists: "Some indie rock band is ripping off my style. Why can't they be like every other indie rock band and rip off the Pixies?" Of course, it had probably been going on for a while, but it was only around then that I started to take notice. Disillusioned, I started to get into other forms of music and never felt much of a need to look back.

One night I happened to catch the video for "Staring At The Sun", which, I should say, is the exact kind of video that stands out to a tired mind at one in the morning. I had heard of TV On The Radio (as they had garnered some hype for their Young Liars EP and had released Desperate Youth earlier in the year), but considering my newfound disillusionment with the indie scene, I hadn't even bothered to give them a shot. So it came as quite a surprise to me that the song, as well as the video, was fucking excellent. It actually sounded different! It actually sounded fresh! After buying the album soon after, the first song -- with it's horn intro, deep, grimy, repetitive synth loop, and eyebrow raising first line: "Woke up in a magic nigger movie" -- confirmed that this was a band that didn't deserve to be lumped in with their contemporaries.

Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes shines with excellent production from David Sitek, who somehow successfully mixed elements of electronica, psychedelic soul, rock, funk, and even doo-wop, without having the entire thing sound like a cluster. Tunde Adebimpe vocals (complimented by Kip Malone's falsetto) are delivered with the gospel-like passion of a negro spiritual; filled with emotion. TV On The Radio displayed more creativity and variety with this one album than most bands have managed in a career. While the Desperate Youth isn't without it's faults, considering the band's potential, any missteps are easy to overlook.


Score: 8.5/10


"The Wrong Way"


"Ambulance"

TV On The Radio - Return To Cookie Mountain (2006)

Having built quite a reputation for themselves with their explosive live shows, the anticipation was high for TV on the Radio's oddly named sophomore album even though reviews for their debut album were somewhat lukewarm. With the Young Liars EP still on the minds of indie rock fans, a surprising number of people were disappointed with the scattered, experimental nature of their debut full length. So the band regrouped, permanently placed their touring guitarist and drummer on the roster, and set out to record "King Eternal" (one of the more rock oriented songs on their debut) 11 times. The result was Return to Cookie Mountain, and the indie world went ape-shit, catapulting the band to the bittersweet status of indie rock darlings.

Listening to Cookie Mountain, it's hard for me to understand the hype. Their debut managed to sound really new and fresh in a sea of mediocrity, while this one seems as if it's trying to capture that mediocrity so as to get a piece of the increased attention and marketability surrounding indie rock at the time. It still sounds like TV On The Radio, but it sounds like a version of the band that's tired and out of ideas. This is most obviously reflected in lead singer Tunde Adebimpe's voice, which often lacks the passion he displayed on the band's debut. The production seems to try to make up for this by drowning his voice in a sea of white noise and other voices, which include backup vocalist/guitarist Kip Malone as well as the occasional guest, such as Katrina Ford of the band Celebration, and even David Bowie. This backfires, since the voices are layered so closely that you'd need liner notes or prior knowledge to even know on which song the guest was featured.

Another complaint is with the drumming, which seem to be a little too loud in the mix. I've never found myself as annoyed with drumming as I have on some parts of this album, where many songs seems to be dominated by the presence of the drummer. Only on the excellent, drum-driven "A Method" does this work in the bands favor. In fact the song, with it's hum-able, anthem-like melody, manages to be the album's standout track. On many of the tracks, though, I find myself wishing they'd dust off the old drum machine. "A Method" aside, the album isn't a total wash. Adebimpe does have a few inspired moments, particularly in the later tracks "Dirty Whirl" and "Tonight", but at that point it almost seems too little, too late.

Had I not made it obvious, my opinion of this album differs from the general consensus. Luckily, I've found that, among people who consider themselves fans of TV On The Radio, I am not alone. To make a generalization, it seems that if you thought Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes was okay, you'll probably like Return to Cookie Mountain a lot better. It's more focused and more confident, which is probably what you felt was lacking in their debut. If you thought Desperate Youth was great, you'll be disappointed with Cookie Mountain. It sticks to one formula and refuses to stray far from it, making it the opposite of what drew you to their debut.


Score: 5.5/10


"A Method"


"Dirty Whirl"