Dear Science

Brave experiment lovers TV On The Radio

The band TV On The Radio, formed in 2001 in New York, the USA, had a humble beginning - it was a collaboration of musicians and artists Tunde Adebimpe and David Andrew Sitek. No one could predict that the command would be broadened to the quintet and become one of the leading figures in the modern experimental rock. For now, the musicians can boast of collaboration with David Bowie and production of the solo album by Scarlett Johansson. However, it is only a part of the achievements by TV On The Radio. In 2006, they astonished the world with their amazing album Return To Cookie Mountain with the major hit Wolf Like Me. The mixture of politics and personal revelations in their lyrics, the use of exotic instruments, various arrangements, making the impression of something otherworldly, high-pitched vocals by Adebimpe and band’s guitarist Kyp Malone - all the elements that produced the structured chaos of their records made the new release of the collective one of the most anticipated events of 2008. No doubt, that there was also an intriguing moment whether the artists would be able to overdo their Return To Cookie Mountain, as it is definitely hard. However, the musicians met the expectations - and their new disc Dear Science, filled with a new portion of musical experiments of TV On The Radio, is ready.

Dear Science: international eclectics and some funk

The band TV On The Radio has always been known for its love for eclectics. The combinations of styles in their performance are always whimsical and unexpected. The musicians combined the genres that seemed non-fitting each other from the conventional point of view, but they did it so that all their tried sounded extremely natural. On Dear Science, the artists decided not to change their traditions and fulfilled an original, full of surprises album. The disc opens with the track Halfway Home, decorated with the sounds of flute. It is followed by the pop song Crying with the funky bass line, penetrating falsetto by Malone in the airs of Prince and horn arrangement. In the dance composition Dancing Choose, which has a big chorus and Adebimpe’s raps in the refrain, it is said about dancing away all the problems and looking at the world in an easier way. The stylish ballad Stork & Owl can boast of the electronic arrangement and excellent vocals. The pop track Golden Age is definitely one of the strongest works on the disc; it has the dramatic and grotesque lyrics and features the gospel flavor. The piercing melody Family Tree, in which guitar and violins are magnificently combined, is a story of forbidden love. The motif Red Dress, in which the personal revelations and followed by the political issues, tells a story of people’s egoism and indifference, which cause so many troubles in the world. The sparkling track DLZ became the raving blame for the political figures and their role in the today’s world problems, while the album closes with the sexual, memorable for its Afro beat song Lover's Day.

The appeal to reason and science

The new disc by TV On The Radio features the same soul of experiments, as its predecessors. However, on their previous releases, TV On The Radio used funk as one of the elements of no great importance, while on Dear Science it became one of the main explored elements. Even funk in the performance of this band sounds like a message from the future, when the music is supposed to differ strongly from all the things we are used to. Nevertheless, the disc Dear Science became the most comprehensive work by the collective to date - a kind of an attempt that would be appreciated not exclusively by the musical critics and art-rock lovers, but also the majority of the public. It is no coincidence. As you know, the members of TV On The Radio care for the things that take place in the world. As the majority of the genuinely talented individuals, they sharply feel the torrents of events that have place not only in the USA, but all over the globe. The disc Dear Science starts with this letterform cliché deliberately - it is a real appeal for science and minds of people. It is an open letter to a definite kind of people - those, who are able to enjoy their unusual music and at least ponder over the facts that disturb the artists. Therefore, as for the quality of this experimental rock record Dear Science - it is a high-rate attempt that is sure to surpass the trial by time.