TV On the Radio Remain Strong on "Seeds"

TV On the Radio

Brooklyn art rock band, TV On the Radio are so great, because it is soon what hard to put a finger kind of music they are.  A little bit jazz, a smattering of soul and R&B, a dash of dream pop, a healthy heap of electronic beats and loops, sprinkled with Tunde Adebimpe's raw voice.  These unique sound made them adequate alumni of the prestigious 4AD label.  Their fans love them, and critics adore them.

"Seeds" is their fifth studio album, and their first since the tragic loss of bassist, Gerard Smith to cancer.  There is a tentative sense of loss to this release, but TVOTR quickly show that they are back on form.  This record may not be as seminal as "Return to Cookie Mountain" or as swelling as "Dear Science", but this collection is a demonstration of their cohesiveness as a band in the face of difficult times and that they remain noteworthy as songwriters.

The album begins with crystalline beats and discordant vocals soon wired together with a pulsing bass and Adebimpe's stark lyrics on the song "Quartz", and moved into a steady synth beat and French vocals on "Careful You" which soon layers on some swirling Robin Guthrie-style guitars, adding another dimension.  "Could You" has an upbeat, '60s-ish tempo with a horn section.  It kind of reminds me of The Refreshments and the theme to "Friends".  "Happy Idiot" remains my favorite song on the record, as well as a favorite of my kids.  It starts with an unrelenting drum beat and a heavy bass guitar which create a quirky dance vibe, complete with a cheerleader chant.  The video is awesome - influenced by the old "Speed Racer" cartoons and starring Paul Reubens of Pee Wee Herman fame and Karen Gillan of Dr. Who with all the members standing in a desert landscape dressed in white.  It just doesn't get any cooler than that.  "Test Pilot" brings the tempo down with eerie synthesizers and inspirational lyrics, and "Love Stained" also continues the trend of contemplative and almost somber sounds by the band.  "Ride", with its piano echoed by chiming loops, reminds of a lot of something by This Mortal Coil, but then builds up to a brisk shudder.  "Right Now" has a dancey beat synced to pensive lyrics like:

"Letting go of the things they taught

Has me thinking about the nature of want

And imaginary need for the silly little things

Past the right now, right now, the right now, love"

"Winter" takes us right to headbanging mode with a rock anthem that would do AC/DC proud whereas "Lazerray" takes us right to Ramones punk rock.  "Trouble" fills us with optimism, and "Seeds" has a wonderfully simple combination of off-kilter percussion, synth beats and rich vocal harmonies.

For more than a decade, TV On the Radio have shown us that they are one of the most creative and innovative bands out there.  With "Seeds" they have demonstrated that this is still true.  I expect that they will be around for a long time, getting their groove on.