TV on the Radio

TV on the Radio's seminal Return to Cookie Mountain has to go down as one of the best albums of the last few years, really putting them at the top of any self-respecting hipster's iphone playlist. After such a monumental achievement, the task of living up to expectations with the recently released Dear Science was always going to be tough. Yet somehow I think they have managed it. The quality, talent and range of TVotR is on full show again in what is likely to be leading the really annoying "album of the year" lists on blogs the world over come December*. From the subtle violin and piano touches of Family Tree (which sounds like some sort of Bloc Party-Sigur Ros hybrid), to the gorgeous Shoegaze of Halfway Home, onto the driving energy of Dancing Choose (which will sound familiar to anyone who only knows TVotR for their classic Wolf Like Me) via a wide spectrum of what lies in between, this album never disappoints. The vocals of frontman Tunde Adebimpe, which draw heavily on gospel influences as far as I can see, and at times even remind one of the great MJ, along with the heavily Afro-Drum influenced percussion, are a highlight for me throughout.
TVotR play in Tripod next Sat 15th Nov as part of the Heineken Green Synergy festival. Should be a stormer. The line up is pretty impressive for the week, with Cut Copy, Adrian Crowley, Presets, Florence and the Machine and the legendary Herbie Hancock, one of the greatest living jazzmen, all making an appearance in Dublin. After the DEAF weekender so recently, it seems that Dublin is the city that just keeps on giving.

TVotR MySpace
*Of course we're gonna do one.