In preparation for my trip to Big Apple this week I spun as many bands from the NYC area as i could. The one band that got more attention than any other was TV On The Radio largely due to the release of their new record ‘Dear Science,‘
I am the first to admit that i have a difficult relationship with the Brooklyn gang. In the past press for their endeavours made me to believe I would automatically enjoy their releases with little or no effort. The truth is that, as anyone who “gets” the band knows, TV On The Radio are not a band designed to be consumed rapidly and disposed of but rather one that should be slowly savoured and enjoyed over time.
Having finally come to terms with and grown to love ‘Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes‘ and ‘Return To Cookie Mountain‘ i eagerly anticipated their new release would blow my proverbial socks off. However, this wouldn’t be a TOTR review if I had been love at first spin. No ladies and gentlemen, I was in for another struggle. You see, The band appear to have ditched the elaborate multi layered instrumentalism and paranoid melodies for a more concise effort that, dare i say, could be ready for mainstream consumption.
This was not what I was expecting at all and I had to effectively force the album on my ears for a week for the pieces of the puzzle to come together but when they did it was very gratifying. All of a sudden I was recognising familiar melodies and appreciating the subtle developments that only a band like TV On The Radio could pull off. The lyrical content remains dark, and often cryptic, but this time it is all embellished by a crazy juxtaposition of new wave, funk, pop, rock and electronica and even 60s doo-wop all while maintaining that detached New York cool.
Other artists have toyed with the dangerous balancing act of trying to enhance their sound whilst increasing their audience and failed miserably. TV On The Radio differ here because the band have not compromised their instincts for a killer melody, try for yourself.
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