TVotR first hit the music scene in 2003 with the "Young Liars" EP. It showed plenty of promise; the standout track, "Staring at the Sun," evoked enough energy for two albums. Its first full-length release, "Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes," featured it as a streamlined single and a stripped-down, instrument-free ballad with beatboxing filling in for music. After two releases, TVotR was riding the excitement of its only hit until 2006's "Return to Cookie Mountain," which ended up on many critics' yearly top-album lists and even got the seal of approval from rock deity David Bowie, who sang backup. Beautiful, political, occasionally moving, "Return to Cookie Mountain" exceeded already lofty expectations.
"Dear Science" solidifies its talent, just in case there was any remaining doubt. With two lead singers/lyricists, it would be easy for the album to sound as though it came from two competing viewpoints, but TVotR balances its two singers, Tunde Adebimpe and Kyp Malone, to form cohesive sound even as the two for the most part work on separate tracks.
"Halfway Home," the fast-paced, drum-heavy opener sung at the tempo of a lullaby, is emblematic of TVotR's sound, while also moving it closer to its goal of striking a balance between artistically acceptable and commercially viable. The same can be said for the next song, "Crying." The upbeat pace makes it dance-party ready, but with lyrics critical of a culture of greed and hypocritical religion, it remains politically and socially relevant.
Likewise, the jazzy "Dancing Choose" is begging to be heard at the next house party. With well-placed handclaps and a tinge of saxophone, it's high-energy music all the way. Half-singing, half-screaming, Adebimpe chants about insanity, counterfeiting and butterflies at such a manic pace that lyrics don't seem relevant in a song meant to trigger deadly mosh-pits. The song "Stork and Owl" follows and loses some of the building momentum and as a result, feels as thought it's the album's solitary low point.
"Golden Age" comes close to recapturing the energy of "Dancing Choose." With an easily identifiable hook, this song's funk-inspired beat will get stuck in a few heads, while a diverse section of strings adds a level of class. The album hits its stride on the beautiful "Family Tree." By far the most deconstructed track, vocals and lyrics take center stage. "We're hanging in the shadow of your family tree /Your haunted heart and me," Adebimpe coos, revealing a vulnerability unheard on previous albums.
Just as the album begins its touchy-feely vibe, "Red Dress" kicks it back into high gear with politically and racially charged lyrics that all but announce it as a condemnation of the Bush administration.
The pinnacle of the album is the track "DLZ." Lyrically, it's somewhere between head-scratchingly vague and blatantly obvious. Adebimpe sings in an occasionally falsetto, always deliberate voice, "You force your fire then you falsify your deeds /Your methods dot the disconnect from all your creeds /And fortune strives to fill the vacuum that it feeds / But this is beginning to feel like the dog's lost her lead." Is there any doubt this is his criticism of the United States' bulldog approach to foreign policy? At the same time, however, Adebimpe could easily be singing about a cheating lover, a hypocritical politician or a greedy corporation. Herein lies the beauty of TV on the Radio: Come for the original sounds but stick around for the multilayered lyrics and deep song meanings.
The album closes on the girl-crazy-cum-lustful "Lover's Day." Including sexually-explicit lyrics from the triumphant opening words, it seems strange to conclude this subversively political, always enjoyable album with such a blatant song about sex.
It seems TVotR is underlining its agenda to create a deep and meaningful music experience against the backdrop of a winking, fun dance album. "Dear Science" exceeds at these points and in the process leaves its mark as one of the best albums of the year.
malone, adebimpe, dear science, tv on the radio
