Reviews (page 2 of 8)
Dear Science was released in 2008, and I did not like it then. I spend the next couple of years thinking I did not like OK Computer by Radiohead, because apparently the two combinations of artist names and albums are inseparable in my mind (Dear Computer by TV On The Radiohead). I know think both albums are pretty swell.
Listen again
TV on the Radio have one of the most distinctive sounds here. I was familiar with the hits, but they worked very well in the context of the album. And just when it starts to slow down a bit, it ends on a hell of a one-two. Great listen!
It was unavailable in my country.
Reminds me of my college years.
Wow. I am stunned at how great this album is, because I didn't really like the other TV on the Radio album I've had. That album had far too much falsetto and was overly distracting. This album, however, is unique song after unique song with crazy electronic sounds, funky beats, much more approachable singing, and incredibly layered songs. I liked pretty much everything here. Golden Age, Crying, Red Dress, all awesome. My favorite is Love Dog. I really like the bass riff at the end, just a beautiful song.
Really loved this. Textured, melodic, dramatic, compelling.
I can't understate how much I like TV On The Radio. And how much the album STILL keeps growing with every listen. It's also one of those albums that's really better with headphones.
Fantasies. Eclectic with a lot to like. Added to my general music rotation.
"Dear Science" by TV On The Radio is an eclectic masterpiece that blends various genres, seamlessly combining elements of rock, jazz, and electronic music. The album is characterized by its innovative soundscapes and introspective lyrics, exploring themes of love, mortality, and social issues. Tracks like “Wolf Like Me” and “Dancing Choose” showcase the band's dynamic energy and lyrical depth, making it a compelling listen that invites both reflection and movement. Overall, "Dear Science" stands out as a bold and artistic statement, solidifying TV On The Radio's place in the modern music landscape.
I really love this album. Not sure how I got into it when it came out, maybe it was that it was album of the year in a couple of publications, but from the first listen it grabbed me. Great songs throughout, not sure what the lyrics are about and don’t care. Easily in my Top 10 albums of the 21st century, along with: Zero 7 — Simple Things — 2001 Fountains of Wayne — Welcome Interstate Managers — 2003 The Decemberists — Crane Wife — 2006 LCD Soundsystem — Sound of Silver — 2007 Selena Gomes — When the Sun Goes Down — 2011 I made my own surround sound mix of this back when I did my own mixes, and it is quite good, if I do say so myself.
Loved it! Was bopping my head throughout the whole album and even found one song to add to my Liked collection.
I love this album
Good one
Don't know what to make of this album - it's not the best album of the era, but I always liked it when I put it on, back in 2008. And now, 16 years later (my my), when I heard it again, I had the same feeling - it immediately resonated again with me, with some actually strong standout songs, so I guess it holds up really well to me. Also, I cannot highlight what a perfect song DLZ was during the 'stay out of my territory scene' in Breaking Bad - one of the best timed song inserts. I'm kind of feel uncomfortable giving this a 5 star rarting, but I honestly can't find much fault with it.
5 - this is a more tentative 5, I need to relisten and really get what's going on, but a good portion of it had me captivated like many of my favorites
I saw these guys open for None Inch Nails sometime between 2005 and 2010? I've been hooked ever since. They get lumped in with the Indy bands from their era but that are not Indy.
I was passingly familiar with the band, but what an enjoyable album it is. This is one of the clearest examples I have encountered of the variety of works that have influenced more contemporary indie music.
I've heard of TV on the Radio, and I’ve seen this album listed on several best of lists, both for 2008, and for the 2000’s, and despite getting into Indie Rock at the time this came out, I’ve never listened to it. I really don’t have any idea what to expect, but I’m cautiously optimistic about this album. This album was fantastic, and I’m kicking myself that I never listened to it until today. I loved the unique sound, and the band does a fantastic job of blending horns, strings, and guitars with various electronic elements. The arrangements are beautiful, and on songs like “Crying,” the rhythms make these songs incredibly infectious and fun. You can hear the influences that made this album what it is, but it’s never derivative, and it has no problem standing on its own two feet. Some of the songs start off a little jarring and bare, like “Stork & Owl,” before cascading into a sweeping blend of strings and synthesizers. I was hooked from the first notes of “Halfway Home,” but I was afraid that the rest of the album wasn’t going to live up to that moment, but this album was fantastic from start to finish, and I listened to it three times. The more familiar I got with this album, the more I loved it. It’s hard to pick a favorite moment, but “Halfway Home,” “Crying,” “Golden Age,” and “Red Dress” are all fantastic. This album reminds me of some of my favorite bands from this era: Yeasayer, Miike Snow, Arcade Fire, and others, but it’s so unique that I can’t broadly compare this to anything else. This album is going into my regular rotation, and I’m so happy I got to listen to it today.
This is such an awesome album. It gives me a 2000s grunge feel, in addition to all the other blends of genres they bring in.
Gute Reise durch die Geschichte der (neueren) Musik. Dabei fast immer entspannt.
I had no idea what to expect from this, and I really enjoyed it. The music is superb, the vocals lovely. I especially like Stork&Owl, Golden Age, Family Tree, and Halfway Home. This is the first long album where I look at the number of tracks and go "YES, I want even more!". Standout lyrics: "Turn from the fear of the storms that might be". "We're laying in the shadow of your family tree/your haunted heart and me"
Great
I had not heard this band before but I wish I had. Every song on this album is worthy of more listens. 5 stars or A.
Damn. I’m not even done with my first listen and I already want to rate this a 5. The quality here is crazy. Music is tight as shit. So complex, while still being a goddamned bop. I’m mad at how good this is. Don’t even get me started on the lyrics. This is ridiculous. There’s real art here.
Still feel like I'm not cool enough to like their music. But, there's no filler on this album.
Insert fawning fangirl babbling here.
I was expecting to hate this one, but ended up listening to it at least 4 times. Something about this feels unique and resonated with me a lot, though I can't put my finger on it. It's like they're standing on the edge of what LCD Soundsystem was, but found a way to make the sound their own.
Fuck it I’ll give them a 5. This album rocks and is super innovative.
Man do I love this band. TV on the Radio were so incredibly cool and it's a shame that they haven't released anything in the past 10 years (as of this writing). Tunde Adebimpe, David Andrew Sitek, and Kyp Malone had such great chemistry and made such fun albums. 'Dear Science' is arguably their greatest work (although personally, I'm torn between this and their debut album). My biggest criticism is that my favorite song, 'Family Tree' is right there in the middle and always delays me listening straight to the end, as I can't help putting that song on repeat.
Perfect!
Dear Science, I was a rabid Return To Cookie Mountain fan and I didn't give you the credit you deserved when you arrived on the scene. Sometimes it takes a while for us to open our ears and minds to the music that even our favorite artists make. While you're not my first or second favorite TVOTR record, you're still great.
Whoa! Second TV On The Radio album I've gotten here and I think I like this one even better than the last. Great soundtrack to my train ride back to Berlin on a Monday evening.
TV On The Radio is a band that made alt rock of a type that is difficult to classify; it is guitar based rock with funk, electronic, and punk influences that use loops and poly-rhythms to create a sound that is unique and beautiful. Dear Science is their third studio album, and their most critically and commercially successful. The album topped several "Album of the Year" lists for 2008. Dear Science showcases the incredible mixture that TV on the Radio creates. Undercurrents of electronic ambience and polyrhythms create the textures of their work, and band's extensive use of loops makes the soundscapes of different tracks. Tunde Adebimpe's rich, unusual vocals and engaging lyrics adds one of the potentially defining elements to the band's sound. In particular, his use of falsetto vocalizations - like in "Love Dog" - or just falsetto, like in "Golden Age"- is one of the memorable parts of Adebimpe's skills.
Love this band and album. Cookie Mountain may be my all time favorite of theirs, but Dear Science is ALWAYS an absolute delight to revisit and contains some of their absolute best work.
While I prefer Nine Types of Life I will forever appreciate that this site (and book) will but anything by TVOTR in the ears of more people.
Love the sudden tempo change in Halfway Home, the whole mood shifts with it, on its axis. Remember it way back when it was the theme to Skins with Nicholas Hoult. Didn't watch it, just loved the theme. Oh and iTunes gave it away as a song back when they did that sort of thing, and anyone still used it. Anyway yeah I really like the whole record. Several songs just make me break out into a grin. Particularly Love Dog I see I inexplicably gave the other TV album 4* despite a mediocre review. Hey, my rating is inconsistent as hell. I can't give this 5 stars just because I like it. However every song is different, and memorable in some way, despite most not being on recall if I'm not listening to the song. Which in a way keeps them fresh. Fuck it, 5 stars.
Ooh, this reminds me of the Republic of Loose! Family Tree is such a beautiful teardrop of a song
This is the second album of TVOTR on this list. The first was their debut, which was a high 3 for me. But this is so much better. The lyrics and the music are excellent, as is the production. This is one of those gems I hoped to find on this list.
Bastante guay. Una mezcla de The National, con Bowie y un poco U2. Venga! un 5!
Was fully prepared to cringe at this one, and here it is flirting with a 5. I really held myself out of some great music in the aughts (and some really terrible music as well). Screw it, the 5 is earned here. Each song is arranged incredibly. This is a fun mixture of traditional rock and Indie feels, and I greatly look forward to having these guys in my Spotify recommendations going forward. Favorite track: Red Dress
Paras genre.. Kappaleista löytyu blind channeliä..
Life changing
They were not on my radar. Now they are, and I’m going to have to listen to everything they’ve done, because this is great. Bowie meets Gorillaz.
5/5
What a perfect and brilliant album. I loved this at the time and it has aged so well. A joy to listen to.
Ok
I love everything about this band and this album
Bastante guay. Una mezcla de The National, con Bowie y un poco U2. Venga! un 5!
Eclectic indie rock. I had heard some TOTR prior to this, songs from the album they released prior to Dear Science. I knew what to expect but was still surprised out how tightly each song was written. Funky polyrhythms everywhere, I love the vocals layered so perfectly. Beautifully mixed and produced, it's one of those albums where there's so much going on but it never gets overwhelming or messy. Each time you listen to a song you notice something new to love about it. It doesn't feel like something that would come out in the 2000s, maybe I'm not familiar with the scene around that time. My only nitpick is that occasionally it drags, but it's very good about drawing me back in. Personal classic, I really really enjoyed. I've already listened more than once, safe to say I'll keep revisiting. 4.5/5
I was lucky to get to see TV On The Radio in a very small club in Lafayette, Louisiana on this tour. They pretty much blew my mind with these songs. They still do. Such a great band, such a great album. These guys play so tight and super nerdy, worth your time!!
2/28/24. I know a couple songs by this band that I love, but man did I sleep on TV On The Radio for too long! This album is near flawless; every song brings a specific energy, cool instrumentation, and not following a boring formula. I'm adding this to my list of favorites.
4.75
I heard the name before but never heard the music that was a real treat and definitely going to be keeping it in the collection
I had a run of albums that I was (at best) lukewarm towards, so I'm relieved to get something new that I also love. I'm looking forward to returning to this one. I like the way it sounds, the instrumentation, the variety, the lyrics and the vocal performances--I guess everything about it. Highlights: Halfway Home, Crying, Family Tree, Shout Me Out, DLZ
groovy goodness.
New to me, although a couple of tracks were familiar and I listened to it on repeat, so it can't be that bad
one of the greats
Liked this a lot , : )
So good I knew of TV on the Radio way back in 2009, when I had a subscription to Rolling Stone (at the age of 13 :/) And maybe a contrarian streak kicked in, but the more they raved about this band, the less interested I was in seeking them out As a result, I robbed myself of some funky, punky good times (especially because this would have been the album that Rolling Stone was raving about)-- until today :) Even the point where I thought the album was getting too long was during the 2nd bonus track, “Dogs of Light”, so… HL: “Crying”, “Gray Skies” (bonus track), "Stork & Owl", "Family Tree", "Lover's Day" December 12, 2023
Oh snap, an all time favorite!
Reminds me of Prince, and also a little Red Hot Chili Peppers. Mostly the voice.
Bastante guay. Una mezcla de The National, con Bowie y un poco U2. Venga! un 5!
Accidentally exited out of the browser with all of my notes so I don't feel like typing them all out again. So here's a summarization: I have never listened to this band but have heard of them, and for some reason I thought they were an indie soft rock band that I would hate. Very pleasantly surprised because that album was awesome. The electronics, horns, strings, and harmonizing singing is all right up my listening wheelhouse. I will be listening to this album again at some point.
Never listened to these guys le do it. Wow I love these first two songs. Very different and that guitar work on Crying rules. Love that fuzzy bass in Dancing Choose. Some of the guitat work in Shout Me Out is great. DLZ is a pretty intense one I'm about it. These songs are all very unique and fresh sounding. Big fan. I'm at work so trying to pay attention as much as I can but damn I love it and will need to listen to more TV On The Radio.
Golden Age and DLZ are defining songs of my college experience.
I cannot believe I’ve never heard of this band. There is not a bad track here. I was affected by hearing this in much the same way that the Scissors Sisters (Tits, not TV on the radio) debut album affected me back in the day. I can hear S.S. in the use of falsetto voices & particularly on a couple of tracks - the very funky Crying & the intro to Shout Me Out. I love the 50’s pop intro to the opening track, Halfway Home, on which the falsettos are pure Beachboys. I love the techno/hip-hop approach in Dancing Choose. And there are at least 4 terrific ballads here. The diversity is so good. And I’ve only had a close look at a couple of song lyrics but Family Tree is definitely related to the Billie Holiday classic, Strange Fruit, & Lover’s Day features some of the raunchiest (but not crass) lyrics I’ve heard in a while. I loved hearing this.
this was a great album, i did not know this group before but i loved their style, its consistently good and vibey. i saved some songs to my playlists
Knew diddly about this and had no expectations either way. Now wondering how I missed such an excellent album. Not a single duff track and will definitely be listened to again and again.
10/10 wicked cool prog rock meets alternative meets electronica — crazy good album
TV on the Radio took what they learned from the experimentation on Return to Cookie Mountain and crafted a more straightforward set of songs that still contain the depth, ambition, and complexity (especially lyrically) that marked their previous effort. "Halfway Home" is a strong opener that sets the bar for the entire record - it never really dips below the quality laid out from the start. A thoroughly enjoyable listen and one of those albums that shows hidden bits and pieces on subsequent listens. What more could you ask for?
Tunde's vocals sound great on this record. Top production, performances, tunes.
loved it
Wow! I loved This! Tito is correct I hear so many influences, Prince, Bowie, flight of the conchords, Tom Petty, Bloc Party of course and so many more. I have heard one song on this album before DLZ. I really can go hard with this, I give it a 4.5 but I’m rounding up because I want this to have a higher average haha.
Hell yeah. I know I listened to this when it was new, but I forgot how good it was. I wasn't quite as taken with it as Return to Cookie Mountain, but putting 15 years between listens, it is a very good album. 4.5/5
Absolutely love this album and this band.
Perfect album!
Awesome
To my ears one of the best albums this century. Could be a Prince/Bowie collaboration at the height of their powers, and I don't say that lightly. I know every note and it's all fantastic
Brilliant album, I've only heard one song from a later album by this band, but yeah. Unexpected and amazing discovery. So eclectic and interesting, love it! Will definitely be coming back to this one, Stand outs: Halfway Home, Crying, Stork & Owl, DLZ
Wow, legit covers a lot of ground. Red Hot Chili Peppers meets Prince. Damn.
I love this album, another one that I listened to a lot in college. It took me a while to get into it fully, but when it did it took hold! Especially love Dancing Choose, Golden Age, Family Tree and DLZ.
This was quite an unexpectedly good listen. It has nostalgic 80's vibes combined with distinct 2000's sound.
I saw this band open for Nine Inch Nails years ago and really enjoyed them. I bought the album Return to Cookie Mountain, but it never resonated with me. I never went back to explore this band further. That said, I really enjoyed this album. Very inventive songwriting and instrumentation. I’m adding this to my normal rotation, and really need to give Cookie Mountain another chance. There wasn’t a song on it I disliked.
Two great albums in a row! Every song is entertaining in its own way, those can be funky, uplifting, melancholic or just simply instrumental, they all have that energy, that is so compelling and contagious. Two singles, "Golden Age" and "Dancing Choose" don't really stand out, because the whole record is very even - and at a high level. The real highlight of the album is the song "TMZ". It hits all the right tones, both lyrics-wise and instrumental. Guitar work is really extraordinary on this album, maybe not overly complicated, but it fits the overall style perfectly. It's a great album, and I'm eager to listen to the whole discography of TV On Yhe Radio in the near future.
a pleasant surprise of an album. genuinely inventive alt-pop. even the remixes tacked onto the end of the version i listened to were good. my first 5-star album so far.
This was a major album for me during my college years. Listening to it again, it’s amazing mix of cacophony and subtle timbres. “Love Dog” is still one of my favorite songs, the mix of heavy drums and love-lorn cooing is a perfect combination.
I dug this album. It's weird listening to mid 2000s music and hearing just how many influences they pulled from. Dancing Choose was the stand out track for me.
Love this, really works for me
You know what? I think this album deserves to be in this list!
🟦 90 🥇 DLZ 🥈 Lover's Day 🥉 Family Tree
I hadn’t ever heard of tv on the radio before this but I loved this album. My fav song was actually a song of theirs that came on after the album ended on Spotify but overall I liked every song on the album especially crying and dlz
One of the highlights of post-Funeral, major label 00s indie. Can tell a lot of money has been spent on this, but it's all worthwhile. A generous 5 but this was a special album for me.
This album slaps! I like the differing genres in the music, making it hard to define in one umbrella. It also makes the album very enjoyable to listen to.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to give both playthroughs a really good listen but I enjoyed what I heard and quite liked Golden Age and DLZ. But I'm keen to hear it again so that makes it a 5.
New Favorite band/ record
A great undisclosed gem.
I've heard TV On The Radio before but I never really got into an album. This has been one of the best musical experiences for me so far in the album generator thing. The tracks are very different but mostly full of vocal experimentation and up-tempo rythms.
This album has brilliant and moving lyrics that explore our values (or lack thereof). Family Tree is a tragic love song about a black / white relationship. The image of a black person (the black woman in this case?) hanging from a tree is a powerful depiction of society's character defects. Dylan used this image in the opening verse of Desolation Row. I also like the experiments with noise such as at the end of Shout Me Out and, to a lesser extent, Crying. The percussion is also very good and carries the melody in DLZ which is one of the best songs on the album.
really smart and evocative. these guys know how to put a record together.
Bastante guay. Una mezcla de The National, con Bowie y un poco U2. Venga! un 5!
Nice one, a good find. Lots going on with horns, strings, ballads and dance tracks. Will defo listen again.
Wow. Really enjoyed this album from start to finish. Variety, musicality and it even sounded like Prince singing a couple of times. I honestly had to check to make sure it wasn't. One of the better recommendations found via this 1001 albums list.
Why didn't I know these guys?
I realized early that this album contains exactly the kind of anthemic rock that appeals to me. While I have some reservations about some of the instrumentation, the raw appeal can't be denied, and neither can the idiosyncrasy and blend of ideas. I may regret thinking I like TV On The Radio after just one album, but the entire project has the magnetism that certain singles do for me.
Очень зашел альбом
This was really something else. Kind of reminded me of LCD Soundsystem, with a disco vibe, and yet it was something uniquely its own. This will quickly be added to my rotation.
I only really knew their single Wolf Like Me that I've heard from time to time but otherwise not too familiar with TV on the Radio. Some good Rock with energy, some psychadelic flavor and vocals at times, and just solid jams all around. I liked this, would definitely add to the playlist.
Used to listen to this a lot, great record with loads of different styles
Loved it. Loved everything about it. Will listen to many songs on repeat. Very welcome entry. Already listened three times to determine whether it's a 4 or a 5.
One of the greatest albums of the Noughties, genre-bending brilliance
Have not listened to this for years forgot how much I enjoyed listening to them, will listen more :)
Would probably get a 4 without the nostalgia factor. Used to listen to this one a lot when I was younger, I think it has a great mix of different tracks and genres: fav tracks crying and love dog.
Funky Indie, that should be a genre right? And this album should have led the Funky Indie charge. Although most indie bands going funk are an absolute car crash so maybe not. TOTR are one of the most consistently brilliant bands of the last 20 years. All of their first three albums including this one are stone-cold classics.
Pretty good! Some parts reminded me of All berkrovitz band, and some others reminded me of more popular indie bands
I really like this one and thought it was pretty groundbreaking when I first heard it, like another divot into the great fairway of life. Especially Red Dress, but especially Golden Age.
fucking stellar in every way
absolutely loving this
Gran Album, definitivamente lo escucharé de nuevo
Great album, music, and lyrics
The most FIFA 12 sounding album in the best way. Interesting and makes you want to listen. Doesn't get old throughout the album. Will need to give a relisten as this had the potential for a 5, and I don't feel I appreciated it enough until the end.
I liked this, one song was like a much better version of Coldplay
This album was all over the place in a good way. Lots of different instruments, varied tempos and vibes song-to-song, loved it. Favorite Track: Golden Age
I bought this some years ago, but I haven't listened to it in quite a while. Let's reacquaint and see how it holds up. The thing is that TVotR did the rock fusion thing better than most of their peers, in part because they started from a rock mindset, instead of making a pop song or a hip hop song or a soul song and then just cramming distorted guitars in to pretend it isn't those genres. Amy Grant's “Good for Me” has a ripping guitar solo, but it's still pure pop. But TV can slip a little electronic, a little drum machine, a little soulfulness and a little funk into “Crying” and it always feels like it serves the sound. I can only get so into the most dancey bits here, and the album definitely lacks a few good Wolf Like Me moments, but there are some solid compositions in “Family Tree” or the Running Down a Dream vibes of “Shout me Out,” and it's a solid listen throughout. It's probably lightly so, but i'll give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4★/5 06.17.2026
Catchy indie rock. Pretty nice.
Much more accessible than "Return to Cookie Mountain," but still very niche, and indie, and strange. "Halfway Home," "Crying," "Golden Age," and "DLZ" are all excellent. I found "Family Tree" to sound exactly like Coldplay somehow, which I wasn't expecting. TVOTR is an odd band that writes odd music- but this album seems to run the fine line between bizarre and satisfying. I really enjoyed it. FOUR STARS
Jersey Girl!
lowbrow, indie, art rock-y album from a group hailing from brooklyn. it's another one of those albums that sounds a little dreamy and audibly content but a lot of the subject matter is conscious and relates to current affairs (or at least current when the album came out). i always seem to have a love-hate relationship with indie music, but for once in a fat bit, while it's still far from the sound i like... i found it pretty okay to listen to. vocals are probably one of the biggest hurdles with music like this, and while the voices are similar in that sleazy throaty... kinda awkward energy, it actually sounds pleasing to my ear. these guys can actually hold a note! i feel like this album would probably only get better with time, it's a matter of me not being so picky and just trying to listen to it more, if it comes in my mind again. i like the some of the groovier funky tracks compared to the spacey and airy ones.
I don't dislike it. They fill the same niche that Alabama Shakes do...and I like the Shakes a lot more. I like this album more than Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes. The affected voice of the lead singer is annoying me now. It's too much on some of the songs. I am nitpicking now, I like this album. Lover's Day reminds me of Neil Diamond's Coming to America. I like this album...TV On The Radio is one of the bands I've discovered in this project that I like.
I knew them from Wolf Like Me and was delighted by this album. Definitely adding it to the regular rotation.
A good album but a little too mellow at times
Great album, absolutely love most of the tracks. There are a few “meh” songs here that keep it from being a 5 star, but it’s pretty close. Good stuff.
This band and album had been recommended to me by friends when I was in college. I haven't listened to them in years but as soon as I hit play I remembered how I used to put this on repeat to study. I thought it was great then and it still holds up. What a nostalgic listen.
Bem melhor do que eu esperava pelo nome. Vale conferir outros álbuns
I love Wolf Like Me from Return to Cookie Mountain, but could not get into the rest of that record at all. So, I was not really looking forward to this record that much. But I’m glad it popped up cause I’m really enjoying it. It’s a good deal more melodic than the previous record, yet the band still kinda does their own thing on it. I’ll be revisiting this one again. 8/10
TV On The Radio is another one of these bands that I hear on the radio from time to time but have never listened to an entire album of, which is the sort of thing I’m doing this project for. I'm guessing I've never followed up with these guys because a lot of these tracks are smoother than what usually gets my attention. But it's a tuneful, enjoyable rock album with bits of funk, interesting vocals, solid percussion, and strings and horn sections adding to the sound here and there, so what's not to like. I might check them out for a repeat listen. Favorite tracks: "Red Dress," "Love Dog" 4 stars
TV on the Radio is always fun to listen to. I enjoyed this album.
One little-discussed phenomenon that occasionally occurs during this process is that which occurs when one reads one's project partner's review before listening and rating an album. It is clearly obvious that I am enjoying TV on the Radio significantly more than my project partner so far. That said, his derision perhaps affected my listen of this album. i enjoyed it a lot, but that little seed sprouted. Am I enjoying it too much? The faintness of the derision proved a more effective watering-can to my doubt than a downright hate-rating.
Ok album
Nearly nearly a 5 for me on first listen. Maybe it will be in the future. How I missed an album like this from the golden age of blog rock is beyond me. Love how you never know where a song will go based on how it opens. How each track settles you into a groove almost like hypnosis and then wakes you out of it with one shift. A lot left to find from this album but in my opinion could be a personal classic
So many good cuts on this. Any time an indie/alternative band throws strings in the mix I’m a sucker for it unfortunately.
Very good thank you
GOOD STUFF! Finally after what seemed like weeks of dregg
Wat notities tussendoor; -Het begin van het album was wel oke, maar pakte me nog niet helemaal -Family tree en red dress pakken me wel! Misschien dat de tweede helft van het album gewoon wat sterker is ofzo -Love dog pakt me ook wel! Ik denk oprecht dat de tweede helft wel beter is ja -Shout me out pakt me oook!!!!! Misschien dat ik dit album wel ooit even een tweede kans geef om te kijken of de eerste helft nou echt gewoon minder was of dat het aan mij ligt -DLZ is interessant! Niet slecht maar die vier liedjes hiervoor pakten me meer 7.5/10
Really love this record, takes me back to the early 2010s and a really great period of musical discovery for me, although does it belong on this list? Unsure.
Tremendous start with three huge bangers. Good throughout though. Top tracks: "Crying," "Halfway Home," "Dancing Choose"
I saw them play dancing choose on some late show when this album came out and loved it. Not sure why I never sought out the rest of the album, wish I had, it’s good.
Eclectic alternative that seems to work. I’d like a second listen sometime, so I’ll round up.
very lovely
Very good very good
This is quite good! I picked up their second album, "Return to Cookie Mountain", when it came out and it really didn't grab me. But maybe I wasn't ready for it. Who knows? I'll have to go back and listen now.
Between 3 and 4 on this one. The excellent first track, and a couple of others, bump it to 4.
4/5 - TVOTR is one of my favorite bands from the 2000s, and oddly enough, this is the album of theirs I've probably listened to the least. I doubt this is essential listening, but I like pretty much everything they do, so I'm happy to give it a 4. I'll probably listen to this all day. Not sure I'll have another chance to plug it, so if you haven't seen the "Wolf Like Me" Letterman performance from 20 years ago (!!!), just watch it: https://youtu.be/MxawVMQ02dc?si=LbWxZxoq1GgA9VXf
The best funky indie band, maybe the only good one. I had this when it came out and didn't really get it, it's much better than I remember.
291/1001 TV On the Radio - Dear Science Heard before? ❎ Revisit? ✅ I'd heard of TV On the Radio before, but not delved more into their stuff, so happy to have this come up today. There's a lot of different styles that kept me engaged, though sometimes a little too whiplashy. As I'm in a positive mood, this is a 3.5, so rounding up to a 4.
Had never heard of this artist an was surprised. I listened to this while fighting sleepiness and it was akin to that of visuals induced by thc. Some wild trippy visuals that the music magnified. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey.
неплохой альбом достаточно разнообразный но слишком позитивный местами если отбросить в музыке эти мажорные мелодии (я не знаю как мне это правильно объяснить) и именно на ритме сосредоточиться, то вообще 5 звезд бы можно было поставить если бы он был на Яндекс музыке, то добавила бы себе
I don't know this band, but I'm glad I do now!
Me reee gustó el disco. A veces se parece a Coldplay.
it's nice. it was great background noise, but not really world changing
18/1001 Dear Science - TV On The Radio (2008) Having only heard 'DLZ' prior to this listen, my idea of this group and preconceived idea of this album was completely off. That said, having now listened to this project, I'm still unsure if any one box could contain everything this album is going for. It's like we're listening to every idea and draft they had being put into one album, and we're just lucky that the vast majority were good. So many times I thought "Oh, synth there? Oh, horns too? Strings, sure why not? Oh and this one is inspired by doowop?" which wasn't expected from a 50 minute indie rock album. The undeniable highlights are 'DLZ', 'Love Dog' and 'Halfway Home' - although the Bowie-inspired 'Crying' and mortality-focused 'Family Tree' bring something special. Something that tends to be true for most of my favourite albums is huge variety but a strong feeling of focus, and unfortunately the latter is lacking somewhat in this case; variety gives and takes, and it takes a bit too much for me here. I don't know how often I'll be coming back to this album, but it was definitely memorable and I thoroughly enjoyed it. ★★★★
I found this album to be pretty decent. It was my first time listening to TV on the Radio. The first thing that stands out is the production. It features satisfying drum patterns across a range of styles, from alternative rock to EDM and even lo-fi. The experimentation mostly pays off and invites the listener on a pleasant journey that feels rewarding from the get-go. I loved "Love Dog" and really enjoyed "Crying" and "DLZ". Special shout-out to the outro of "Heroic Dose", which appears on the bonus track version of the album. The original album was so enjoyable that I couldn’t help but keep listening to more. That’s definitely a good sign.
This album was super intriguing to me. I didn't think much of it until halfway through the first listen when I realised there was a lot more going on. Went for a second listen right after the first. It grips me. I don't know if it's really cohesive as an album but maybe having all those different sounds was the point. Some of those sounds were a miss, Stork & Owl is so 2008 it hurts, but after those two listens I could name every song. I feel like I'm having trouble understanding why I like this so much but I have to go with my heart.
Tough album. I've never heard of this band before but they were really cool. DLZ was my favorite and the album in general was very groovy. 7.3/10
kurde fajne
Enjoyed this one!
Really enjoyed this one. Can definitely draw some similarities to Young Fathers, the rhythm and energy that flows throughout. Big fan of this. Favourites: Halfway Home Golden Age Shout Me Out DLZ
This one really surprised me. It was completely new, I'd never heard of it or any of the songs. I really enjoyed this
## Overview *Dear Science* represents TV On The Radio's commercial and artistic peak, becoming their best-selling album (reaching #12 on Billboard, selling over 250,000 copies) while maintaining their experimental edge . The title originated from a note producer David Andrew Sitek wrote in the studio—a plea for rationality during chaotic times . --- ## Lyrics & Themes ### Political Engagement The album emerged during the waning days of the Bush era, channeling frustration with American imperialism, surveillance state expansion, and racial injustice. "Red Dress" opens with Kyp Malone's searing yell: *"Hey jackboot, fuck your war!"* . The track intertwines personal malaise with political outrage, exploring how racism and militarism corrupt daily life. "Dancing Choose" attacks consumer media with biting satire: *"He's a newspaper man / And he gets his best ideas from a newspaper stand"* . The protagonist's confusion about his role in the system mirrors the album's broader anxiety about complicity. ### Existential & Social Themes "Crying" contains one of the album's most devastating verses referencing American foreign policy: *"Mary and David smoke dung in the trenches / While Zion's behavior never gets mentioned"* . Meanwhile, "Family Tree" explores the beauty and historical weight of interracial love, while "Love Dog" uses the metaphor of an anonymous, devoted stray to examine unrequited devotion . ### Hope Amid Chaos Despite the darkness, the album maintains utopian impulses. "Golden Age"—the album's most accessible moment—announces *"There's a Golden Age comin' round / Here it comes like a natural disaster,"* capturing hope that arrives through destruction rather than despite it . --- ## Music & Production ### Sonic Architecture David Andrew Sitek's production represents a significant evolution. Where previous albums could feel airless and suffocating, *Dear Science* achieves clarity without sacrificing density . Each track contains a distinctive motif—whether the Beach Boys-inspired "bah-bah-bah" chant on "Halfway Home," the deconstructed funk bassline of "Crying," or the brilliantly arranged horns on "Red Dress" . ### Genre Fusion The album seamlessly integrates: - **Post-punk** energy ("Dancing Choose") - **Funk and soul** ("Golden Age," "Red Dress") - **Electronic** textures throughout - **Jazz** horns and **prog-rock** complexity - **Art rock** experimentation Tunde Adebimpe's vocals serve as the binding force—simultaneously warm and towering, capable of delivering both political invective and tender crooning . ### Standout Tracks - **"Halfway Home"**: The Peter Gabriel-esque opener with its propulsive "ba-ba-ba" hook - **"Family Tree"**: A gorgeous, string-laden meditation on love across racial lines - **"DLZ"**: A slow-burning masterpiece later immortalized by its use in *Breaking Bad* - **"Lover's Day"**: A lusty, brass-filled closer that builds to a marching band climax --- ## Influence & Legacy *Dear Science* arrived at a cultural inflection point—the 2008 financial crisis, ongoing wars, and the Obama election. Pitchfork noted that a decade later, its themes of state surveillance, racism, and American imperialism felt eerily prescient, "like a cruel predictor of our current times" . The album influenced subsequent indie and art-rock acts, with comparisons drawn to Radiohead's *In Rainbows* (released the year prior) in terms of sequencing and stylistic range . However, TV On The Radio carved out territory distinctly their own—some critics argue they were overshadowed by Arcade Fire and The Killers despite being equally deserving of attention . --- ## Pros & Cons ### **Pros** | Aspect | Details | |--------|---------| | **Production Clarity** | Sitek's production breathes more than previous efforts while maintaining complexity | | **Accessibility** | More approachable than earlier work without sacrificing artistic integrity | | **Political Resonance** | Lyrics that address 2008's crises while remaining relevant years later | | **Vocal Performance** | Adebimpe and Malone deliver career-best singing | | **Structural Innovation** | Each song's unique motif creates coherence amid chaos | | **Emotional Range** | Successfully moves from rage to tenderness to hope | ### **Cons** | Aspect | Details | |--------|---------| | **Inconsistent Aggression** | Not all aggressive tracks maintain quality; "Red Dress" opens with lyrics some critics found "heavy-handed and embarrassing" | | **Mid-Album Lull** | Tracks like "Stork & Owl" and parts of "DLZ" have been described as "skip-button fodder" by some reviewers | | **Overwhelming Density** | The sheer variety of styles and layers can be exhausting—some listeners find it "too busy from start to finish" | | **Lyrical Opacity** | Some imagery (like the childbirth metaphor in "Halfway Home") doesn't immediately click | | **Mixing Issues** | Occasional moments where the wall of sound becomes overblown | | **Longevity Questions** | Some critics predicted it wouldn't achieve classic status like *OK Computer*—a prediction that has partially held | --- ## Verdict *Dear Science* captures a band at their most focused and accessible, translating complex political anxiety into danceable, emotionally resonant art-rock. While some tracks falter and the density occasionally overwhelms, the album succeeds as both a time capsule of 2008's crises and a continuingly relevant meditation on living ethically in a broken world. It's the sound of sanity maintained through chaos—exactly what the title promised.
None of these songs are better than “Wolf Like Me” but this was a very enjoyable album front to back. Feels like it’s best experienced as a whole.
Was kinda ready to not like this cus the album cover is so minimalist (read:boring), but I actually really liked it. Had some atmospheric energy, I heard lo fi hip hop beats to study to, Coldplay, and phil collins in there somewhere. Interesting stuff.
They have a lot of really interesting things layered on top of each other that I never noticed before.
This is really good.
I like this. Lot of influences coming through. I hear some Bowie and Radiohead and like it, also some Coldplay that I like less. Very listenable. Album is overlong, pushing up against feeling pretentious. Not sure it belongs on the list, better than average example of it's type, but not a must listen. Nice music for a chill bike ride, with a good consistent tempo and a few little bursts of energy to get you going. 3.5 stars or so. Rounding down because it's not as essential as the past few 4 star albums on my list. I will listen again though, higher on my personal replay list than most 3 star albums. Also right from my sweet spot era wise. Eh, talked myself into 4 stars I think.
TV on the Radio is one band that did not enter my usual rotation of 2000s indie rock artists. In general, when they slow things down , they’re fantastic. The album starts out just ok, but really picks up steam with “Stork & Owl”. It’s hard to pick a favorite track, as there are many really great ones, but “Family Tree” and “Love Dog” were my big standouts. This album slid from a low 4/5 up to a near 5. Just one or two too many tracks I didn’t enjoy to warrant top marks. P.s. shoutout to that one scene in Breaking Bad that used “DLZ”, a great track. “Stay out of my territory.”
Interesting album. Similarities between each of the tracks enough to keep it interesting but still a common feel to the sound. No real outstanding tracks but overall a good listen.
I had honestly forgotten how good this album is. It's hard to nail down, but it's really good. Favorite song: Shout Me Out
These guys were one of the most novel indie bands of the 2000s. Super textured and thoughtful sound, draws on a broad range of influences. They have bangers on every album they did but this is their most cohesive. I love Halfway Home, Crying, Family Tree. The second half is a bit less memorable, with the exception of DLZ which brings me back to Breaking Bad - i love Tunde Adebimpe's vocals on that one. Adebimpe is still making good solo stuff but I wish the band would reunite
Great listen. Good vibes. Pop punk alternative
I really like this. Excellent variety and depth to the styles they use. Indie - art rock done well.
This was good! I listened twice. Not quite what I expected, but I liked it.
Really enjoyed this!!
Excellent! I must try again soon!
Quite good at some points actually, largely enjoyable. I enjoyed it on in the background. One of those bands which are genre adjacent to what I already listen to and like.
This falls somewhere between a strong 3 and a soft 4. I had no expectations going in but ended up enjoying it quite a bit.
Extremely expressive piece of art. Whether it’s loud or quiet, there’s energy there. A force that inspires emotion within you. I love the ever-changing production, it helps create shades of these different emotions and provides nuance through change. Some tracks are a little too quirky for me with the falsetto focus and pulsating synths, but I like that there’s an off kilter element to the album. Even though tracks like Golden Age and Stork & Owl weren’t ones I loved, I found value in the ways that they tried to present something new. Faves: Halfway Home, Family Tree, Dancing Choose, Lover’s Day
First time hearing. Good stuff
Great band, great record.
I liked it! This was an interesting sound that I hadn't heard much of before.
DANCING CHOOSE is such a cool song. The little guitar fills mesh with the horns so groovily. STORK & OWL and RED DRESS, especially were a class in merrymaking music. Really leaned into their composition style and enjoyed muchly.
Jeg kan faktisk ret godt lide det. Det er ret varieret, men klart bedst når stemningen er dyster som i DLZ, men Family Tree kan også noget særligt. Jeg kommer tilbage til albummet senere, men lige nu mangler den, det dér helt særlige som en 5er kan.
#259/1001. This was a band I haven't heard before. At least I don't think so. Their sound was interesting combination of funk, rock, pop and synth, somehow reminding me of the aesthetics of Prince or m.j, although the end result and the songs are totally different. I was thinking of also bedroom aesthetics - you know, making music at night using modern computer production tools, but it seems it is a flesh and blood band who all contribute(?). After listening and now writing about it a few days later it is hard to recall any of it though. So might need a few more listens, perhaps it will grow, but probably not as a favoutite. So file under worth checking out later.
I had never heard of this band before, but I was pleasantly surprised listening to it. Interesting and unique, kinda reminded me of Prince.
This band's singer reminds me a lot of Bon Iver's Justin Vernon with his inflection. The music itself is pretty funky, so this is basically like Scissor Sisters and Bon Iver making an album together. I love both of those bands and they apparently come together pretty well. It's kind of hard for me to talk about this album without mentioning a litany of other bands because this really does sound like a bunch of influences coming together into something interesting. It doesn't entirely sound like any of its influences, though. It's definitely a unique thing, and a pretty good one.
Pretty solid album. Stands out to me for some reason, but can't tell you why. One popular song that I apparently already knew but never knew it was from this artist or this album (to be fair, I had never heard of both the artist and album beefore though). 8 / 10
Never heard of them before but loved it
When I saw this pop up I groaned; the last TV On The Radio album I had was dreadful. This is so much better.
Wow this is a great album full of different styles and excellent musicianship.
Tolles Album, gefällt mir noch einmal eine ganze Ecke besser als das Debüt. "Return To Cookie Mountain" kommt ja bestimmt auch noch, die sehe ich dazwischen.
This is good. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Reminds me of Bloc Party which is no bad thing. A bit busy at times and some weaker tracks but overall an enjoyable listen. And that Breaking Bad scene is iconic. I’ll be revisiting this one
Great album, good amount of range
Wow I really loved this. Chill and funky but powerful, and strong vocals. A fun new discovery!
A great album. This band released a run of very good albums in the noughties. I haven’t listened to this in quite a while and feel it has held up well. I particularly enjoy how the two vocalists work to their strengths. 4 stars. Fave track - stork and owl.
On the fence a little on this one. A strong first couple of tracks, a bit of a lull in the middle with a strong finish. DLZ stood out with the vocals rhythmic and just adding so much to track.
Really like it, it kind of flows over me
Another solid album from TVOTR. It's not as experimental as their debut album which we got earlier in this challenge, settling more into an arty funky indie sound than the jazzy touches, ripping basslines, and strange doo-wop experiments from their debut, but that's not a bad thing - they settle well into this sound and inhabit it to its fullest. The obvious highlight is DLZ, and not just for its appearance in Breaking Bad; it's also just a damn fine song.
+ zdziwiłam się, że indie tak mi siądzie + zajebiste beaty / rytmika + super wokale / melodyka / frazy + momentami coldplay, Childish Gambino - momentami monotonne - zbyt jednolite
Took a couple tracks to really get into the album, but it's reap good. At it's best when it's more energetic. Track order is really well though out and the whole thing flows great and gets stronger as it goes on. I wish I had been more aware of it on high school.
I really enjoyed this
Enjoyed this when it came out and it was a nice throwback. Favorite songs: Halfway Home, Crying, DLZ
I'm really glad to have heard TV on the Radio's debut album in the collection before this one, as the contrast between the two albums is both striking and elevates "Dear Science" even more than it would have otherwise. (Although since I own this album, it was already elevated in my mind.) It's always nice to get a thoroughly solid album from start to finish, and while some of the tracks are a bit forgettable, I particularly enjoyed "Crying", "Dancing choose", "Golden hour" (mainly for the quirky video), "Family tree", "Shout me out" and "DLZ". And I loved finding out that the album title was drawn from a note in the recording studio, "Dear Science, please start solving problems and curing diseases or shut the fuck up." Admittedly, that reads a little less humorous in 2025 than in 2008 (thanks, anti-vaxxers, climate deniers, and Xian nationalists), but still a pretty funny inspiration for a title.
New to me and I really liked the layered, lush sound, especially in the first song. They bring all the instruments to the table and they seem to really know what they're doing. Not the catchiest tunes, but respect.
better than the last one, voice is a bit strange at times
Never really got into this band, but couple of songs here are part of my 20s and my wife loves this band. The album has this energy I love, should put it more.
Only had time for one listen. I liked it and will be back for more
Someone would like this if they like LCD Soundsystem
Wow, iPod/MP3 nostalgia.
Sufficiently enjoyable, different and interesting to creep into the 4 mark.
This was actually good and listenable. I know I’m shocked too.
I've been meaning to listen to these guys for a long time. Definitely like it and want to hear more from them.
Always loved this album, just gets better with age. Highlights: "Stork and Owl" and "Love Dog"
“Return to Cookie Mountain” hooked me hard, but all of ‘em are great records. Happy to see they’re performing again.
Bet Crying made my Wrapped this year. I love absolutely everything about these dudes, starting with their sound. They're soooooo cool.
Never really listened to this when it came out and wish I had. It feels a little of its time, but still something interesting, layered, and a record to return to.
Nostalgia for this sound and time period are affecting my vote.
I definitely prefer their two earlier, nosier albums, but this one has a lot of staying power. A 3.5 that I’m rounding up bc of band loyalty.
TV on the Radio remain sorely overlooked, as far as mid-00's indie acts go. This album is their best one, and is where they truly reached the apex of their psychedelic-infused art rock stylings. Plenty to love here, with detailed productions that rewards repeated listens and a wide variety of styles from song to song. From bouncy number like opener "Halfway Home" to the dark "DLZ" or the piano ballad "Family Tree". I'm suprised this actually made the list, and even more surprised this is the second. Key tracks: Halfway Home Dancing Choose Stork & Owl Family Tree Shout Me Out DLZ
It’s 2008 and hipsters are annoying folks wherever they go, from the way they dress to the music they listen to. Normies like me who have never done anything annoying look with disdain at everything hipsters do. Thus, an indie band like TV On the Radio falls into the category of “fucking hipster music.” But time goes on, and there are far larger problems in the world aside from rich kids pretending to be poor, and this is pretty fucking great.
Dynamic, good music
Beautiful album.
Pretty good stuff
TV on the Radio always sound like they’re creating inside their own private workshop: not a cramped box, but a vast room full of gears, horns, synths, choirs, and electricity. Their records tend to blur together in the best way: a continuum of controlled chaos, orchestral heft, and anxious groove. Dear Science sits near the top of that arc. It’s a record where every experiment lands - big, brass-laden arrangements, rhythmic twitchiness, and melodies that are both dense and memorable. Even if the albums blend in memory, the feeling never does: they’re consistently brilliant, and this one is them firing cleanly on all cylinders.
Such a great album, vocals that get in your head!
Sounds like the late 00’s
You know, I don’t think I’ve ever really heard of these guys before. They sounded vaguely familiar, but I can’t say I heard anything from them. And if I’m being honest, it sucks it took this long. Indie tends to be hit or miss to me. It’s either too slow or too soft or too esoteric. TV on the Radio here has found a way to make it fun. It’s hard to describe the sound. It stands between rock and funk and traditional indie. It just makes for a nice varied experience that makes for a thoroughly good time. What a surprisingly great album. Favorite track: Family Tree Other hits: Halfway Home, Crying, Shout Me Out, DLZ, Dancing Choose, Lover’s Day
Really liked this one. Felt like a nice variety. I liked the vocal style and I’m a big fan of brass and strings. Fav song: Red Dress Least fav: Lover’s Day
Sometimes has a bit of Elbow feel to it (which I'd never complain about), I really like his voice, overall a really gorgeous album that I'm glad to have heard for the first (but definitely not the last) time! Favourite song: Halfway Home Least: DLZ
Delighted to see a second album from these guys on here!
Pleasant and light?
4 stars
An interesting art/alt rock album that has a generally upbeat vibe.
I liked it
known this album from breaking bad, when walter says "stays out of my territory", dlz in particular. great song. in fact the whole album is good.
Ok, this is great! There's a little overproduction at times, but the musicianship makes up for it. Solid 4 and I look forward to hearing more.
i like that kind of science
eu não dava NADA por esse álbum, mas ele é bem bom????? eu fiquei extremamente chocada que tem muitas faixas que eu provavelmente vou ouvir de novo, com sons bem interessantes, sem cair na monotonia. e ainda tem uma música que tocou em breaking bad. que achado!!!!
I don't like to judge an album by whether or not it "belongs" on this list, if I can help it. After all, I generally always figure there has to be **some** reason why an album's here, whether I've heard of it or the band or not. What I'm more concerned about in these reviews is simply parsing, largely stream of consciousness, what I got out of them and why. "Should this be here?" is often an irrelevant question that doesn't fit in. It **often** isn't. And **if** I can help it... This might be one album where sampling the reviews beforehand might've impacted me in the wrong way. Not that I'm predisposed to hate it, or that I came in with expectations that're too high. Just that... Why **is** this album here? As much as I wanna avoid that question, I gotta remember, this **is** all being sourced from editions of a book titled '1001 Albums You **Must** Hear Before You Die.' So it's not thing to wonder why **exactly** the editor chose to include it in an edition. Now, before I get into that, I wanna speak about this album generally: it's pretty good. It's far from the hookiest or stickiest thing in the world, but for a bunch of funk- and soul-type songs over largely electronic instrumentation... It's not bad at all. Maybe it's trying a bit too hard to be Bowie in some parts... And maybe it could have been cut down a **bit**... But otherwise I rather enjoyed it, to be completely honest. And if I wanted to leave this review at that, I don't think I would've had much more to say. So that's maybe I'm tackling this angle; just to have more to talk about. But seriously, folks: shouldn't I be asking more from a book like this than something that's just "pretty good?" I already know hundreds of albums that're "pretty good." What makes **this one** so special that it gets to nudge out numerous other candidates? Way back when I talked about Lana Del Ray's 'Chemtrails Over The Country Club,' I mentioned that if I had things my way, no album under five years would be included on a list like this. Albums need time to breathe and prove their worth; they shouldn't just be let in on recency bias or hype over name recognition. And it's not like I play favorites on this, I should say: I gave David Bowie's 'The Next Day' a bit of shit for that, so... Now, to be fair, this album was included in the 2014 edition, six years after its release. So, it should qualify, right? Eh... I mean, when I hear that an album is something I **must** hear before I die, I figure it should leave some lasting impact on culture. Y'know, there should be something I can hear and go, "Right, that's where that started" or "That's where this was taken to the next level." And maybe I'm just listening in the wrong places, but... I don't think I've heard this album's influence anywhere? I mean, certainly I wish indie rock had taken more cues from this thing's soul, funk and Prince influences; maybe I would've been hotter on Arcade Fire. But all in all, it sounds pretty unique to itself. I don't even know if there was anything in 2008 that sounded like it. 'In Rainbows' and 'Tha Carter III' happened in 2008. My point is just that, as I'm writing this, it's 2025. We're closer to this album being **20** years old... And I just can't hear any good reason why it **had** to be in a book like this. I mean, I am damn sure I can safely assume this was one of those "one edition wonders" that got the boot hard for newer hotness. Like, more than anything it must have been residual goodwill from TV On The Radio being a brief indie darling that got this album here. I can't really imagine any other reason. So, if I were rating this on a "Should it be here?" scale, I think I'd end up giving it... Maybe a 2, at most? Eh. But it doesn't deserve that. I enjoyed it too much to rate it that lowly. Like, seriously, "Family Tree" and "Lover's Day" had some stuff goin' on that I **really** liked. And, really, if an album can't be named something people **must** listen to before they die; if they can at least bring someone a little joy if they happen to stumble across it... If I were an album, I think I'd appreciate that more than anything. You could call this ending a cop-out given what I spent the rest of the review hammering on... But, frankly, what I said just the truth, I think. The book's just a gimmick, anyway, like any other list like it. So... Yeah.
Dug this one, but not much else to say from me. 4.5 bumped down to 4.
This is something I would ordinarily have regarded as ‘music for people much cooler/cleverer than me’ and moved swiftly on, but this was genuinely fantastic. Surprising, affecting, funky and moody in equal measure.
Not my first time listening to this but it was a good one to revisit. There is a nice variety of texture and instrumentation with some strong melodies.
Am a bit of a sucker for some of the things Dave Sitek has produced. Seems to do a great job of capturing layers of sound whilst still having key instrumentation/vocals shine through. I’ve found that a number of TVOTR albums have the front half stacked but lose momentum in the latter half but this holds up better than their others to the end. Doesn’t have my favourite songs of theirs on it (‘staring at the sun’, ‘wolf like me’) but is a more consistent record.
Great band and a great album! I haven't listened to this whole album before but it was good!
Great surprise. Added to my library.
The zeitgeist might have finally slowed to a crawl but no one informed TV on the Radio, who provided the scene with one of its brightest moments in Dear Science. An illuminating blend of rock, punk, funk and whatever suited them snugly, TV wound up crafting their magnum opus that best exemplified what made them special in the first place. May the title guide you in, let the music do the rest. Favorites: Halfway Home, Crying, Stork & Owl, Golden Age, Family Tree, Love Dog, Shout Me Out, DLZ.
Great rock album, has a strong indie vibe. Really enjoyed the production and sound of it, it flowed really well.
No esta mal, la verdad que a lo mejor lo vuelvo a escuchar, pero tampoco lo ame. 3,5
Tricky album. At times it felt like a 5 star and then a song like Red Dress slaps that hope away by being kinda shit
Why do I always underestimate this album. Every time I play I think "Man, this fucking rocks."
great album by a band that went under my radar.
Very nicely made it seemed, I don’t know anything about music yet.
Twee keer TV On The Radio in zo'n lijst is sowieso één keer teveel. Toch zullen we het maar weer gewoon lijdzaam ondergaan, want we gaan in het vierde kwart van deze lijst niet continu zeiken over te vaak terugkerende artiesten. Wel regelmatig, maar niet continu. Op een dag is deze lijst klaar, komen we in een enorm zwart gat terecht zoekende naar een nieuw doel van ons bestaan. Dan zullen we, terwijl we met de loop van ons jachtgeweer tussen onze tanden geklemd staan, wensen dat er meer artiesten twee keer in stonden, dat het 2500 albums waren die we moesten luisteren. Zo ver is het uiteraard nog niet. Ik moet zeggen dat dit album me eigenlijk wel bevalt. Dit album heeft geen 'Staring at the Sun' als hoogtepunt, maar overall vind ik dit album wat leuker om te luisteren dan die vorige, waarvan de albumtitel me ondertussen ook alweer gewoon ontschoten is. Veel hipsterige geluidseffectjes die wel geinig zijn. Vaak een soort bas die klinkt alsof het uit een NES komt, of uit een dot matrix printer van weleer. Wie weet hoe het is opgenomen, het klinkt in ieder geval wel leuk. Een wat manische zangert. Gitaartjes, toetsjes, her en der niet zelf ingespeeld maar als sampletje vermoed ik. Ik vind dit wel leuk. Het is in ieder geval geen grijze brij zonder eigen identiteit en dat waardeer ik wel. Ik geef hem iets hoger dan dat andere album en daardoor komt dit heel nipt uit op 4 sterren. Maar dan ben ik wel echt een milde man.
Ei ollut mitään ennakko-oletuksia, mutta silti yllätti positiivisesti. Vaikken ollu ennen kuullut niin kuulosti tutulta mutta samalla ihan omanlainen äänimaisema. Hyvää musiikkia jeejee.
Really enjoyed it! 3.5/5 could go to a 4 after another listen or two.
Najlošiji od prva tri i dalje jako dobar
Quirky, some songs poppy and synthy, some more like straight rock songs. It's up and down for me, but interesting.
Føltes som lydsporet til en film æ ikke kan huske å ha sett, på en sånn måte kor æ likte det bedre enn æ kanskje hadde venta, men likevel tvile på at æ noensinne kommer til å høre på det igjen.
I was really into this album back in the day when I was dabbling in the indie hipster stuff that was popular at the time. This one still holds up fairly well.
I am not as familiar with this album somehow and glad I got a chance to revisit it as I feel they settled into themselves more on this one.
Pretty good
Definitely thought this had a cool sound. Definitely need to give it a few more listens.
Det här var ju en väldigt trevlig överraskning! Välproducerat, varierat, bra sång och genomgående väldigt hög nivå (inte en dålig låt). Uppenbart sjukt duktiga musiker och definitivt ett band jag vill lyssna mer på. Denna är faskemej uppe och nosar på en femma och kanske skulle nå dit om jag lyssnade fler gånger. Känner nu att någon eller ett par riktiga smash hits saknas för att nå hela vägen. Stark fyra.
Stay out of my territory.
A perfect example of noughties indie. I remember seeing this album all around, but just never latched onto any of it - must not have downloaded any tracks at the time, and therefore it was always 'somebody else's' band, so I never got into them. It definitely would have been up my alley. Starts off so strong, then slides into some falsetto groove taunts. Feels like it has all kinds of influences - contemporaries like Arcade Fire and some of Beck's funkier side, to a clear Prince vibe at times. Surprise fave is Dancing Choose, but also really like Halfway Home and Golden Age.
I'll preface this by saying I'm a fan of this band and this album. Have been since it came out and will continue to be a fan for years to come. But I can't for the life of me figure out why it's on this list?! If you absolutely have to put something by these guys on the list, why not Nine Types of Light or Return To Cookie Mountain, which are arguably better albums? That said, I'm still giving it a 4 because I like this record, I'm just scratching my head as to why it's here.
Enjoyed it. Millennial coded
Not bad, but the fact that various publications deemed this the best album of 2008 speaks volumes about the lack of impactful music at that point. I quite liked the blend of instruments. I liked the vibe on some of the songs, but it occasionally became irritating (eg the first two thirds of Golden Age). There was enough complexity, especially in the way that the songs "built" (the final section of each song tends to be the best bit), to be interesting. I do think that it's very representative of its time - it made me remember bands like Foster The People and Alt J.
I liked this a very lot.
A good album, but noticeably behind Seeds, Desperate Youth, and Return to Cookie Mountain. Dancing Choose is superb
Nostalgic 5/5 for me, which I may revise down to a 4 later. I remember buying Dear Science on iTunes in the fall of 2008, a few weeks before I got my driver’s license. All of my friends were obsessed with TV on the Radio, and none of us could believe how good this new record was. It’s Pavlovian to listen to now, bringing me right back to those carefree high school days where freedom felt like having the car for the night and a little bit of money in my pocket. Halfway Home still opens as powerfully as the first time I heard it all those years ago. That sweet bass line on the 3rd verse of Crying? Still hits. Funniest new thing I noticed was how explicitly sexual the closing track Lover’s Day is. That went way over my head back in the day.
This is the first album we’ve had that I’ve actually listened to in its entirety before! Many times actually. 2008 was the peak of my Pitchfork/NME/music blog days and is when my taste in music really crystallized. Remember listening to this on my iPod. TV on the Radio is one of those defining high school bands for me. Listening to this album right after seeing Bloc Party live made me really nostalgic for the 2000s indie scene (passion pit, klaxons, tapes n tapes, two door cinema club) That said I was a bit surprised to see this album on the list -- it's personally meaningful for me but not sure this is the right album to represent that scene.
This album started autoplaying the most fire shit ever afterwards, I've never seen Spotify capture an albums vibe so well.
Pretty interesting sound.
First listen. Sounds fresh 17 years later. This is worthy of inclusion. Favorite songs: Crying, Dancing Choose, Love Dog, DLZ, Lover's Day 4/5 1-WTF 2-Nope 3-Meh 4-Yeah 5-Hell Yeah
I found it to be very relaxing. I liked the singer’s voice and the variety in sound. My son said it had a chill vibe. Like hard rock and LoFi mixed together. My wife said it would be good focus music and I agree. Great album.
Fun album, not exactly sure what else to say except it started off not too good but got better
I think my problem before this with their music is that it seemed to lack quite a lot of emotion, but was really creative and I sort of thought that this would be the same from the first few songs but it gets so much better. There’s some amazing rock/rap/pop fusions on here and there’s just so much variety, like some really beautiful soulful songs on here. I feel like the massive attack comparison I made last time definitely still applies, due to the variety and creativity where you don’t really know what’s making the sound but you know it’s cool. Downsides are that some songs still do feel bit soulless, but this is definitely the best I’ve heard from them so far (not heard too much though) favourite songs: crying, dancing choose stork and owl, family tree (this one especially), love dog, DLZ Overall around 8/10
Say them live without knowing any of their songs and really enjoyed it, so was happy to get one of their albums. Fun stuff
Enjoyed Dancing Choose particularly
decent alt rock album
This was a pretty good album. It wasn't a hard or really interesting listen, but, it wasn't offensive. I guess it is better than average, but it didn't blow me away
Another that I had never heard until now - and I am glad I did. Definitely have a unique sound that isn't easily categorized.
I like the people who can’t figure this one out because then I know they aren’t really focused on the MUSIC. That’s the point isn’t it???
I didn’t know what I was getting into as I had never heard of the album or band, and the album cover didn’t tell me a lot about the album, but I was very pleasantly surprised!
"Halfway Home" reminds of the song "The Season" by The Dodos, but more electronic. I went back and listened to The Dodos song, and they don't sound too similar but there is something in the vibes. I didn't pay too much attention to the individual tracks, but I enjoyed this album. There was a lot of funky electronic business going on, and the songs had a lot of variation. My favorite songs were "Crying", "Dancing Choose", "Golden Age", "Family Tree", and "Shout Me Out". 7/10
This is a band I haven’t always cared for, but I really enjoyed this one. Much better than their debut which appeared earlier in this exercise and in my opinion can be superseded by this one.
Not usually a big fan of these guys but to my surprise I enjoyed this very much. Dug the mash up of rock and electronic vibes. 3.5/5
Fun
I had totally missed these guys and am glad to have been encouraged to listen. I like the vibes.
This is a little different, and I'll give it stars for that alone, however, it probably isn't something I'd listen to regularly, but that's just my personal taste.