The Greatest Albums of 2006

#2 - TV on the Radio's Return to Cookie Mountain

Gabe and I saw TV on the Radio once. They opened for Bloc Party.

They sucked.

Surprise, surprise; this album doesn’t suck. End of review.

Ok, wait…come back. This album is much more then the absence of suck. Simply put, this album very nearly became the number one album of 2006. Why?
In my clearest, most lucid explanation, it created a new sound that was both unique and fetching. TV on the Radio always seemed to be telling us they were the next big music revolution, but this is the first time they actually seemed to be “the next big music revolution.
I mean, come on…crank up “I Was a Lover” as you accelerate onto the freeway and you’ll have all the energy of the sun surging through you. You’ll find yourself pumping your fist in the air. I kid you not. And yet, by no means does this album extract its power solely from hard-hitting rhythm.
Rather, this album is fun and exciting because it genuinely sounds fun and exciting. It’s thoughtful, poppy, crushing and elaborate…but never boring. And maybe it feels so new and meaningful because the band truly seems to be in to their music; amid the thick layers of hissing production they sound like they’re having fun. Hell, they’ve got Bowie with them after all.
I should note that his cameo is understated and by far not the main drawing point of this album. Sure, it’s cool to hear Bowie bouncing along with this group, adding his croon to their buoying musical stream, but don’t let that be your attraction towards purchasing this album.
Let it be the album itself, which urges you along with striking pounds along the keys of a piano as an electric synth rises in the background. Let it be Tunde Adebimpe’s voice as it “ooo’s” you into somber reflection. Let it be track 5…Wolf Like Me, which roars so loud and fast, you’ll think you’re being given a call to action.

Yeah, Gabe and I saw TV on the Radio once. They didn’t suck. The venue sucked.

TV on the Radio!? Is the name a commentary on Radio's lust to entertain for dollars? The lack of quality content? Perhaps. I don't know, I haven't researched it.

I had heard people, and read critic's drooling, and engorged, praising reviews of Return to Cookie Mountain. Alex burned me a copy. I listened and thought..."not bad, but extremely overrated!" I heard nothing more than electro-beats, drumming, keys, fuzzy guitars swirling and soulful singing. Wait a minute, that sounds like winning combinations to me! And TV on the Radio winningly combines them all, after having a few more listens.

There are songs that rock, with dancing, tribal beats. And there are songs that are quite soulful, with chorus-like harmonies. Like Brock mentioned, it is a fun, energetic album. Tunde's vocals are unique in its tone and ranges. It, along with some of the rhythm, conjures up African influences. In fact, if you were to take an African tribal band, blend their sound with modern jazz, rock, and trance, you may very well have TV on the Radio.

I do have to disagree with Brock's statement of "never boring." There are at least a couple songs I do get bored with, as the sound tends to get repetitive and tired, such as "A Method," and "Let the Devil In." And "Tonight" wouldn't be so bad if it were cut down. It becomes a little long-winded at 6:53. If it weren't for that, it may have been my pick for number one.

But the stand-out songs stand tall indeed. Brock's not joking on the inspiring opener "I Was a Lover." It has you yelling to the lyrics, "I was a lover, before this war!" And "Province" is quite groovy with Sir Bowie brooding along. "Playhouses" and "Wolf Like Me" are also great foot-stomping, fist-pumping songs. And if you have the album with bonus tracks, the El-P remix of "Hours" is quite delicious. About as delicious as a mountain made of cookies.