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The New TV On The Radio...
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niuhuskie84 Offline
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Post: #1
The New TV On The Radio...
has blown me away. I think I finally have an album of the year candidate (well, and Sun Kil Moon's "April").

But really..its good thats all I can say. I've played it probably 30 times so far in the past 2 weeks and have not tired of it yet. If you were turned off by Cookie Mountain, still give this a go. Its more "accessible"...I guess you could call it avant-garde for the masses (I mean that in a good way). Theres no sense trying to draw up comparisons....the influences are obvious, but it still does nothing to describe their sound. The standouts right now for me are Love Dog (absolutely haunting), DLZ, Halfway Home, and Shout Me Out. But I dont think there is a single weak track. It took a couple listens, but when it clicked I was hooked. Everything I hoped this album would be and more. Now I'm even more excited to see them in October. :band:
09-22-2008 08:14 AM
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dynovinyl Offline
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Post: #2
RE: The New TV On The Radio...
I loved their first single off the last record. I mean it was the perfect song for me and then I heard the rest of that record and didn't get it. I didn't like it at all. I'll have to give this one a listen.
09-22-2008 10:39 AM
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niuhuskie84 Offline
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RE: The New TV On The Radio...
dynovinyl Wrote:I loved their first single off the last record. I mean it was the perfect song for me and then I heard the rest of that record and didn't get it. I didn't like it at all. I'll have to give this one a listen.

I thought the last one was a bit overrtated, although I have come around to it over time. But I think this DIS review sums up the new one best:


http://www.drownedinsound.com/release/view/13689
Quote:A bombshell: as good as it undoubtedly is, this record isn't going to change your life. Nor will it be considered an OK Computer or a Velvet Underground & Nico in ten years' time. Did it ever promise to be? Some people seemed to think so, and many still might.

TV On The Radio's rapid ascent to somewhere very near mass popularity - a surprise given the often oblique nature of their cultured, soulful art-rock - means that Dear Science has become probably the most hotly anticipated LP of the year. That's all the more troublesome considering the slow-burning nature of what TV On The Radio do (or did). In mainstream terms, it isn't immediately catchy, or particularly anthemic. And 'obvious' is the last thing it is. To evaluate this release on a cursory few listens would be pure folly; even after twenty to thirty, it's tricky. But one thing appears certain: this is the album that will takes its makers to the masses, if only because everybody seems to want to have an opinion on it.

They're definitely getting easier on the ear with every release, and by TVOTR standards, Dear Science - with its frequent forays into pop, funk and soul - is almost brazenly commercial. Compare it side-by-side with their first couple of EPs, for instance. They still had those influences, no doubt, but didn't let them bleed through to the forefront quite as gloriously as this; it's undeniably pop, but pop at its most complex and technically accomplished.

It's also as brilliantly sounding a record as you'd expect from a Sitek production: crisp, almost brittle in places, but with a surprising amount of overall warmth and clarity considering the array of different instruments employed. Antibalas' horns reprise their Antidotes role; that of welcome, sparing accompaniment. It's all cunningly layered, nicely textured, ever so subtle. The sonic maelstrom you can take home to meet the parents, if you will.

Stylistically, it's also one of the most varied records you'll hear all year. Few bands break this many boundaries in a whole career, let alone a single album. One song here, 'Family Tree', could be described as a ballad. Others might belong to a new Prince record, should he continue his pursuit of a futuristic-pop direction ('Golden Age'). And with their varied means of treating and disguising the guitars, Talking Heads also provide a clear reference point. Similarly, at its most frantic, Tunde Adipimbe's rapped delivery ('DLZ', 'Dancing Choose') echoes the likes of Saul Williams.

Indeed, lyrically speaking TV On The Radio are certainly more daring than the majority of their peers. Guitarist Kyp Malone takes an increasingly prominent role in both the writing and delivery on Dear Science, and his vocal partnership with Adipimbe proves itself to be a rich and potent combination, one capable of successfully exploring a number of themes.

'Family Tree', for instance, oozes poignant heartbreak (the chorus, "In the shadow of the gallows of your family tree", proves particularly affecting); 'DLZ' is a three-minute outburst of sceptical anger ("Who's sick?/Who's next?/Never you mind/Death Professor") while closer 'Lover's Day', unsurprisingly, discusses carnal relations ("I'm gonna take you/I'm gonna shake you/I'm gonna make you ***").

The shear breadth of styles, emotions and moods here makes for a sometimes bewildering listen - from anger, passion and lust at one end to loss, regret and depression at the other, Dear Science covers an awful lot of thematic bases over the course of its eleven songs. As a result, on casual listens it can feel more like a disparate, disjointed collection of tracks than a coherent body of work. That's a tiny beef, though, when there's nary a weak track here. Overall, it's an unqualified success.

Back to that opening assertion, then, which of course rings true for 99% of albums released on the back of such an enormous wave of hype: whether Dear Science stands the test of time like classic records must is impossible to predict right now, but, at this moment in time, it's sounding like one of the albums of the year, and its makers' latest, greatest masterpiece.
09-22-2008 12:04 PM
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niuhuskie84 Offline
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RE: The New TV On The Radio...
09-22-2008 12:07 PM
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Post: #5
RE: The New TV On The Radio...
niuhuskie84 Wrote:has blown me away. I think I finally have an album of the year candidate (well, and Sun Kil Moon's "April").

But really..its good thats all I can say. I've played it probably 30 times so far in the past 2 weeks and have not tired of it yet. If you were turned off by Cookie Mountain, still give this a go. Its more "accessible"...I guess you could call it avant-garde for the masses (I mean that in a good way). Theres no sense trying to draw up comparisons....the influences are obvious, but it still does nothing to describe their sound. The standouts right now for me are Love Dog (absolutely haunting), DLZ, Halfway Home, and Shout Me Out. But I dont think there is a single weak track. It took a couple listens, but when it clicked I was hooked. Everything I hoped this album would be and more. Now I'm even more excited to see them in October. :band:

I like the tracks DLZ (by far the best track) and Love Dog. There were a couple of tracks I could tolerate, but there were also some that I couldn't even make it through. Maybe I am not the best judge, because I hated Cookie Mountain. The songs I liked were pretty straightforward. The ones that are the worst for me are where it is almost like a mash-up of 2-3 unlike songs. If I wanted to hear that, I'd listen to the Flaming Lips - Zaireeka.
(This post was last modified: 09-22-2008 05:36 PM by blah.)
09-22-2008 05:36 PM
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niuhuskie84 Offline
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Post: #6
RE: The New TV On The Radio...
I wouldnt give up on it too quick..I was pretty unimpressed the first 2-3 listens just because I wasnt quite sure what was going on and I was trying to take it all in. It definitely got better for me from that point on. But TVOTR seems to be a love or hate band for a lot of people. Theres not a whole lot of in-between room.
(This post was last modified: 09-22-2008 07:33 PM by niuhuskie84.)
09-22-2008 07:33 PM
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flyingswoosh Offline
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Post: #7
RE: The New TV On The Radio...
i'm starting to get into this record. I had never heard of these guys until you started this thread, and i certainly wouldn't have given this kind of a music a chance if it weren't for your glowing endorsement. But i'm slowing getting into it. It's eclectic and smooth.

I really love Love Dog, Shout Me Out, DLZ and the end of Lover's Day. It's the perfect end to the album.

BTW, isn't it awesome when artists stream their whole record on myspace?
09-29-2008 11:10 AM
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Lush Offline
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Post: #8
RE: The New TV On The Radio...
I'm still getting into it. First heard DLZ on Woxy and was blown away. First I thought it was VNV Nation. But yeah, still checking it out 8, 9, and 10 really do it for me. Nothing really quite instantly sticks out like the first two albums. Gon' be checking the boys out again in Indy later on this month.
(This post was last modified: 10-04-2008 10:45 PM by Lush.)
10-04-2008 10:43 PM
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blah Offline
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Post: #9
RE: The New TV On The Radio...
It sounds like we all agree that DLZ is the essential track....
10-06-2008 06:34 PM
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niuhuskie84 Offline
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RE: The New TV On The Radio...
Yes. Although overall, I still think Young Liars is their best track...



Actually, their entire first EP is mindblowing. "Blind" is another stunner:

(This post was last modified: 10-11-2008 07:19 PM by niuhuskie84.)
10-11-2008 12:15 PM
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flyingswoosh Offline
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RE: The New TV On The Radio...
listening to Family Tree as i type this. I freakin love this album. i can't thank you enough for turning me on to them. I really hope i get to see them in concert next year. my aunt told me they'll be going on another tour after this one ends. With a break in between obviously.
10-11-2008 06:23 PM
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Lush Offline
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Post: #12
RE: The New TV On The Radio...
I'm not gonna call it my album of the year (Frightened Rabbit for me), but damn has this album grown on me. And last night solidified that. Caught 'em at the Vogue Theater in Indy. The were playing in town (Cincinnati) the night before, but the venue they were playing at sucks. So a buddy and I traveled to the place where we saw 'em play a year and a half ago. Much more worth it.

Family Tree is my favorite track, but it's so hard to choose. The entire album is chock full of sweet. I'll credit my buddy for that, it's the only cd he listened to for two weeks straight. The last song is so honest and the music is so good. This is good music. I need some better speakers for my laptop. I wonder how much more great music I'm missing out on?
10-20-2008 11:44 PM
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niuhuskie84 Offline
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RE: The New TV On The Radio...
I saw them play a couple nights back at the Riv. Great show...

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(This post was last modified: 10-25-2008 02:40 PM by niuhuskie84.)
10-25-2008 02:37 PM
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Lush Offline
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RE: The New TV On The Radio...
Nice shots NIU. Looks like the Riviera is a great venue. We weren't treated with such theatrics at the Vogue. Oh well. Still got to hear good music.
10-25-2008 04:20 PM
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dynovinyl Offline
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Post: #15
RE: The New TV On The Radio...
Horns on the balconies - nice touch.

Here's my question: The Dirtbombs actually opened for TVOTR? Did TVOTR hold their own following them?
10-26-2008 12:17 AM
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niuhuskie84 Offline
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RE: The New TV On The Radio...
Lush Wrote:Looks like the Riviera is a great venue.

I like it alrite, but its a dump to be honest. You can't tell from the pics, but it needs a ton of work done...its in a state of decay, which is sad. The rest of the qualities arent that redeeming either..sound is sludgy, sightlines are poor, weird layout..its Ok for what it is but I'm starting to tire of it.

The owners of the Riv (Jam USA) also just bought the long shuttered Uptown Theatre (the Riv, Aragon, and Uptown are all within a couple blocks of each other). the Uptown probably has the most potential out of any theatre in the US. It's second in size only to Radio City Music Hall, and is drop dead gorgeous. But the condition of it is deplorable (has come close to the wrecking ball on more than one occasion), and will likely take 10s of millions to restore properly. And based on Jam's track record with the Riv, I'm not holding my breath they will do it justice.
(This post was last modified: 10-26-2008 08:48 PM by niuhuskie84.)
10-26-2008 08:32 PM
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niuhuskie84 Offline
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RE: The New TV On The Radio...
dynovinyl Wrote:Horns on the balconies - nice touch.

Here's my question: The Dirtbombs actually opened for TVOTR? Did TVOTR hold their own following them?

So I'm pissed about this...the time on the ticket said 7:30. I figured that meant doors open, and that they wouldnt go on for at least 1/2 hour after that time. Well, turns out thats when the Dirtbombs actually went on and I completely missed their set by the time I arrived.

Now contrast that with the show I saw last night (Fujiya & Miyagi at the Bottom Lounge..which by the way is now officially one of my favorite venues in the city. Very nice space, and the sound is absolutely incredible; finally somewhere that knows how to do it right!). The ticket said 9:00. Thats when I got there and the doors had just opened and I was probaby the 3rd person there. There were 2 openers and the first didnt even go on until around 10:00. I can never win.
(This post was last modified: 10-26-2008 08:50 PM by niuhuskie84.)
10-26-2008 08:39 PM
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Lush Offline
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Post: #18
RE: The New TV On The Radio...
niuhuskie84 Wrote:
dynovinyl Wrote:Horns on the balconies - nice touch.

Here's my question: The Dirtbombs actually opened for TVOTR? Did TVOTR hold their own following them?

So I'm pissed about this...the time on the ticket said 7:30. I figured that meant doors open, and that they wouldnt go on for at least 1/2 hour after that time. Well, turns out thats when the Dirtbombs actually went on and I completely missed their set by the time I arrived.

Now contrast that with the show I saw last night (Fujiya & Miyagi at the Bottom Lounge). The ticket said 9:00. Thats when I got there and the doors had just opened and I was probaby the 3rd person there. There were 2 openers and the first didnt even go on until around 10:00.

Odd, we arrived in Indy about 8:30, doors open at 7 (I'm pretty sure, I think). We figured we'd catch most of the Dirtbombs (hadn't heard of them) set and catch a beer before TVOTR. We caught the last two songs and a horrible joke and a great drum solo (dude was on top of a drum (not unlike a bongo, but bongo like) just beating the piss outta it.)) And that was our Dirtbomb experience. But we chalked it up to it being a Sunday night. I have no idea what time the Dirtbombs came on though, considering the time we got there, I didn't think we missed more than our time alloted? I don't think I'm making any sense.
10-26-2008 08:51 PM
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dynovinyl Offline
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Post: #19
RE: The New TV On The Radio...
The Riv is a beautiful dump. I've never seen the Uptown. In fact, when I've heard/seen Uptown referenced before, I just assumed it was the club people were talking about. Thanks for sharing.
10-27-2008 11:56 AM
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niuhuskie84 Offline
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RE: The New TV On The Radio...
dynovinyl Wrote:I've never seen the Uptown. In fact, when I've heard/seen Uptown referenced before, I just assumed it was the club people were talking about. Thanks for sharing.

The Uptown hasn't been open officially for a couple decades. Its literally just north of the Riv. on Broadway. There were some raves held there in the late 90s, but I think thats the last time anyone from the public has had access. This is up your alley; there was a documentary made about it a few years back:

Uptown: Portrait of a Palace
(This post was last modified: 10-27-2008 06:21 PM by niuhuskie84.)
10-27-2008 05:03 PM
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