- Average USER Rating: 8 out of 10 -
So the world is in the toilet, and we’re all pretty bummed. It’s not all that bad though kiddo, hold that chin up. Some grim news sure, but you couldn’t have asked for a better messenger. TV on the Radio’s Dear Science assumes the role of said messenger, and aims to paint a rather stark picture of the world’s current condition. But it’s always good to hear bad news from someone dear (tee-hee), and Dear Science delivers the news gift wrapped in a soulful funk’ified package, bedazzled in such a manner that you forgot why you were so bummed out in the first place. It’s like Patch Adams giving you the prognosis… yeah, there’s the whole malignant cancer thing, but he’s got a clown nose!
2006’s Return to Cookie Mountain left us in awe, whether it be from the raw power that shook our teeth, the vocal harmonies that tickled our happy places, the messages we ascertained from it, or the lyrics that sailed swiftly over our heads. The music was gritty, the message was damn near cryptic, and the execution nothing short of stellar. For all intents and purposes, this could have been the band’s swan song, albeit a premature last act.
Dear Science swiftly stomps out that speculation, giggling at your presumption that the band had reached its creative plateau. The new album not only holds up to its predecessor, but in some ways manages to surpass it. Dear Science dances all over the themes that Cookie Mountain introduced: observations of a war-torn country, citizen unrest, love, and an overall sense of utter bewilderment. In some ways however, Dear Science falls short of Cookie Mountain. Science offers plenty of hooks and energy but lacks the teeth of Cookie Mountain. Dear Science is cleaner and leaner. You won’t find the rawness in the guitars like the ones found on Cookie’s “Playhouses,” or “Wolf Like Me.” You’d also be hard-up to find the intensity in the drums and vocals that was chucked at your head on “Let the Devil In.” Instead, Dear Science has something else to offer.
While delivering such terse messages of gloom and doom, Dear Science softens the blow with a beautifully orchestrated wall of sound that will have you popping and locking through the apocalypse. Where Cookie Mountain was a course in mysterious observation and denouncement - a requiem for our saddened state - Dear Science is the dance party that was held in lieu of the wake.
The first single “Golden Age” creates a glimpse of hope, a hoop dream of utter utopia. The track starts with a Prince-like riff and verse that builds into a symphony of sounds created by an army of musicians: a procession of horns, percussion, bells, synths, and vocals. The song is so textured but doesn’t get muddied or over-produced for a second as each instrument finds its home in the song.
From start to finish the album is riddled with improvised musicianship but doesn’t get bogged down or convoluted by the addition of the oh-so-many contributors/sounds. It takes the spontaneity of Miles Davis’ live Pangaea, trims out the long-winded, over-bearing arbitrary processions, and calculates the sounds to build a meticulous work of song structure. Suddenly you find yourself not caring that this isn’t a “rock” album.
The climax of the album begins with the second-to-last track “DLZ.” The song begins with an ominous synthesizer, coupled with a combination of Kyp Malones’ “oohs” and a drum beat laying the base for Tunde Adebimpe’s rap/rant. The song evolves into what becomes a rather clear somber message of national insubordination with such accusatory quotes: “You force your fire, then you falsify your deeds,” “It’s beginning to feel like the dog’s lost her lead,” “Barely controlled locomotive consuming the picture and blowing the crows the smoke,” and “Y’all could use a doctor. Who’s sick, who’s next? Never you mind, death professor.” The murkiness is contradicted/complimented by the sensual “La la’s” of guest-vocalist Katrina Ford, creating one of the most dynamic pieces on the album.
As the aforementioned “DLZ” tapers off, the most fabulous of album bookends begins with a quiet shake of bells. Kyp Malone delves into the solution to this “static disaster” of dire world relations. In an honest declaration he not only admits to, but acknowledges the state of despondency the world is in. Thus far, the album has identified, associated with, and demoralized the condition we live in: a monumentally disputed war, alongside its equally disputed intentions, an unsure public in despair, an inattentive media, and the uncertainties of love. Somehow, Kyp has a solution… Malone professes a “Lover’s Day” in which the world can settle its differences. “Tear apart the apart we think we are! Call off work and let’s lay! Call it Lover’s Day!” “Ball so hard we’ll smash the walls. Break the bed, and crash the floors! Don’t Stop! Laugh and Scream! And have the neighbors call the cops!” Kyp admits such a feat would take a miracle, but I say it’s worth a shot. Sounds like a lot more fun than diplomacy anyway. Once you get past the hanky panky giggles, the song reveals itself to be a beautiful gesture and a grand album closer.
Despite being peppered with numerous stand-alone tracks, Dear Science might possibly be their most cohesive work to date. Each song takes unexpected turns yet manages to bring it right back on track, constantly keeping the listener on their toes. Where I miss some of my old friends from Cookie Mountain and Desperate Youth, Dear Science has introduced me to a bunch of new ones. It is a story to tell, a story scattered with notions of praise, denouncement, celebrations, and mourning. It is a story resolved by some of that good ol’ sexual healin’… (I’m game if you are).
We Don't Give 'Em A Rating... You Do
You need to be a registered & logged in to rate.
2 total votes | Average: 8 out of 10
Tags: TV On The Radio
Category(s): Reviews
Feel free to leave a response, or trackback from your site.
I want to hear more about the bonus tracks. What’s your take on the unnecessary silent track?
The bonus tracks are a bonus, and only that… they help the buyer cope with their purchase in these dire economic times… The band gets to be arty and see their visions materialize, and we get giddy enjoying our extra songs. Win/win. Bottom Line: There’s a reason these songs didn’t make the cut. Dear Science is a Whiz-Bang of an album… and despite the fact that some of these extra tracks are catchy, TVOTR decided to trim the fat, and deliver a lean, mean, funky-as-all-gettup machine. Live with it.