TV on the Radio's New CD Dear Science
Done With Being Cool
By: Jordan Young - Oct 04, 2008
Every time I mention TVOTR, there is the the response "huh, I haven't heard of themÂ… what do they sound like?" This is exactly when my mind comes to a screeching halt. How do you define a band that transcends the typical limits of genre? "Uh, they are synth- driven, acappella and doo-wop roots rock, indie-funk-electro with a horn section." The real answer is, well, you don't. You let the inquisitor try to define and get as lost as you are.
Tunde Adebimpe and the rest of the continuing crew in TVOTR have released a stellar third CD "Dear Science" that defies conventionÂ… if they even had any to begin with. Always a band to push their fan's comfort level, they continue that trend on their new CD.
On their opening track "Halfway Home" has a bit of the synth-vamp driven rock, that we got used to on the magnificent "Return to Cookie Mountain." But that quickly gets tweaked and redefined with the acappella stylings that got them here in the first place.
In their next track "Crying" we can hear almost a "Purple Rain" influence weighing in on Kyp Malone's guitar. This coupled with Tunde's soaring vocals. We get a very funky bass line with Dave Sitek as the mastermind grooving in the background.
It's still astounding to me that he can do so well on his own CDs and then produce stuff like Scarlett Johannsen's horror show of a debut album.
Their first single for the new album "Dancing Choose" has a very aggressively paced tempo, you can feel Tunde grasping for air at the end of every phrase. This pace is almost reminiscent of the feel of "Wolf Like Me" on their earlier CD. But surprisingly for the frame, the vocals are presented in half time, which sets itself up for a surreal, but lingering effect. The song is going, going, and going, and then you get thrown off by this pace.
By far my favorite on this CD is "Stork & Owl". It doesn't groove; it sways, similar to the feel of "Tonight" on their last record. Throughout the track, you get these beautiful, poignant moments of clarity that keep you hanging on and grasping for more. Tunde provides us with lyrics like "Owl says death's a door, that loves walks through." It's always a great feeling to "double-take" the lyrics on a song. At least they get your attention.
Let's get to the core of this CD and break down the title. With "Dear Science" the listener expects that the guys in TVOTR are getting in touch with their epistolary side. Also, if we define science, we see that they could be talking to a specific form of knowledge, in other words, the science of____. Maybe they are writing this letter to the music. This is clearly an exploration in defying genre, much like the work they continuously put out. It is a very personal exploration for everyone here.
This CD is a "grower". But that comes natural with CD's that are this adventurous. There is so much of a push and pull between the pastoral, tragic beauty of "Family Tree" and the intensity of a track like "Dancing Choose". This is a band that has given up on caring about an album's flow. They aren't trying to have the music work for youÂ… they are making you work for the music. You have to engage with a band this dynamic and innovative.
In previous work, they have been overtly political. Especially on the unreleased track, "Dry Drunk Emperor" which is about, well, I'm sure you can figure it out. This CD doesn't come off as too in your face. Okay, except for the track "Red Dress" where the opening lyric is, "Hey Jackboot! F*** your war!"
Yes I understand that's pretty direct, however, this isn't one of those barely creative punk bands latching onto an anti-war sentiment to make sales. This is TVOTR being very vulnerable; it is frantic, anxious, and as uncertain as anyone else out there before the upcoming election. Digressing to my point about those no name punk bands that 14 year olds love SO much because they hate BushÂ… with this CD, I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't care about impressing the listener at all. I seriously think that the producer/ bassist Dave is just screwing around trying to test his limits. While those limits have not been met they exceeded pre-conceived notions. This CD will probably bring raves of Dave consisting of "His science is so tight!" That's exactly what he achieves.
In the last track of "Lover's Day", we can feel due to Sitek's master craft production styles and collaboration of the Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, throughout the entire CD; love triumphs over all. I don't even believe that on a personal level, but this takes us to those heights. In the climax of the song, you go back to feeling the energy of high school football games, and then you realize everyone is rooting for your love. Maybe that's TVOTR's way of telling us that as we are emotionally sinking into the depths of this war, and in our confused, frightened state for the upcoming election. At the brink of drastic change, love should remain as our focal point.