Counting up, as opposed to a countdown, NME's #2 album of 2008 is Dear Science by TV on the Radio.I'd heard mention of TV on the Radio, but hadn't actually heard them until recently. Given the critical acclaim they are getting from not only NME but from Rolling Stone, Spin, and Entertainment Weekly, I decided to give them a try.
This album falls in the alternative genre, but I'd call it experimental rock funk.
TV on the Radio are a band from Brooklyn, New York composed of Tunde Adebimpe, David Andrew Sitek, Kyp Malone, Jaleel Bunton and Gerard Smith. Dear Science is their fourth release. TV on the Radio released an EP in 2003, followed by albums in 2004 and 2006.
Notable tracks on Dear Science include "Golden Age" and "Dancing Choose" (not Dancing Shoes).
The optimistic chorus of "Golden Age" was memorable from first listen:
The age of miracles
The age of sound
Well there's a Golden Age
Comin' round, comin' round, comin' round
The chorus of "Dancing Choose" includes these interesting lyrics:
I've seen my palette blown
to monochrome
Hollow heart
clicks hollowtone
This album has synths, rhythms, bass, funky vocals and often horns and strings. There are diverse sounds and lots of production. Songs have pop bits, experimental bits, and extensive lyrics I couldn't always catch. Vocals on songs such as "Golden Age" reminded me in a good way of Prince.
Do I like the album Dear Science? Maybe. I will say that it's challenging stuff, worthy of a listen.
As a side note, according to NME, the album title Dear Science is "a name taken from a note left in the studio saying "Dear Science, please start solving problems and helping people or shut the fuck up"." Not sure I care for that attitude.
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