Scenestar

BY KATIE SEATON

TV On the Radio
Dear Science
Interscope

Though not yet a household name, TV On the Radio boasts a consistently solid catalog of releases, including 2004’s Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes, which offers such blistering songs as “Staring at the Sun” and “Dreams.” With an all-encompassing sound that touches upon many genres—from rock, hip hop and rap to jazz and electronica—TV On the Radio certainly doesn’t shy away from experimentation. After the critical acclaim of 2006’s Return to Cookie Mountain, which Rolling Stone named the No. 4 album of the year, to say the follow-up album was highly anticipated would be an understatement. Luckily for fans, TV On the Radio has returned with an equally impressive, critically lauded album, Dear Science.

Upon hearing the first song on Dear Science, “Halfway Home,” I was already hooked. The catchy, upbeat track offers slowly pronounced vocals and lots of clapping, which never fails to intrigue my inner child. Introducing a bit of funk to the album, second track “Crying” kept my attention by being a bit of a new-age disco anthem with high-pitched vocals. The listener can’t help but move their body when this song is blasting. “Dancing Choose,” which has been playing on local station Indie 103.1, starts with an aggressive rap but then progresses into more melodic vocals, eventually blending them together with horns. It’s a marvel of texture. Meanwhile, the vocals and funk of obvious radio hit “Golden Age” reminded me of Beck in the “Sexx Laws” days. “Red Dress” and “Love Dog” are interestingly placed one before the other. Whereas “Red Dress” is built of pure fun and flair by its beat and the eccentric horns in the background, “Love Dog” succeeds at holding loneliness inches away from the listener’s nose.

Though Dear Science offers an overall brighter sound and commercial-friendly beats, it also is an album that offers darker lyrical content, such as the blatant “Fuck your war” statement on “Red Dress” and the call to God for relief in “Shout Me Out,” which begins quietly and then builds with the addition of electric guitars and pulsing rhythms. Overall, Dear Science is truly reflective of how TV On the Radio has musically matured, both lyrically and sonically.

If you have not yet seen TV On the Radio live, The Scenestar highly recommends that you catch their performance at the Wiltern on Nov. 6. Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster and cost $23.50.