Dear Science - TV on the Radio

Dear Science - TV on the Radio

Written by craig coffman

If you are not familiar with TV on the Radio, you might want to consider it. This band has been changing the landscape of modern music for years now, and their latest album continues their redefining ways. Dear Science runs many genres together without making you think it is just a lift of a specific sound. Somehow, TVotR manage to meld different styles into something of their own.

The opening track pulls some Beach Boys surf vocal stylings, building to a crescendo of rock with uptempo feedback guitar and pulsing beat. Matmos (ala their work with Bjork on Vespertine) is harkened on Stork & Owl with beautiful electronics mixed with strings. The album finishes strongly with the anthem Lover’s Day.

All of this is held solid by vocals which are used to add layers of rhythm and substance, not just something pretty over the top of the music. The voice is definitely an instrument here, which is augmented by the band’s lovely harmonizing.

While some have said this is colder and more machined than the decidedly warm and wonderful Return to Cookie Mountain, there is still plenty of layering and hidden beauty to get lost in. The whole experience is very upbeat and energetic. Definitely a catchy disc of songs worthy of nights of introspection, beating the dull commute times or freaking out at clubs.