Wed Jul 19 2023
3
Fela kuti + ar Kane + pixies played by theatre kids suprisingly tiring listen
This is a Random Album Generator.
One album a day.
From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
TV On The Radio
2004
- Album Summary
Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes is the 2004 debut album by the American art rock band, TV on the Radio. The album, recorded at Headgear Studio in Brooklyn, was awarded the Shortlist Music Prize for 2004. As of 2009, sales in the United States have exceeded 116,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The album was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
Reviews
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Sun Jul 23 2023
5
I originally was disappointed because the album was not going anywhere, but about 3 or 4 songs in I fell in love with this sound. Very dark, dreamy, and Drone like.
Sat Nov 18 2023
5
I fell in love with these guys with the "Young Liars" EP and rushed out to get this record when it was released. Though they went on to expand their sound on later albums, I still prefer the directness and purity of this earlier work. By leaving more to the imagination, it somehow makes the atmosphere richer. I love their use of electronic elements throughout, and their choices for distortion and tone are exquisite. This album is a great example of being dark and heavy while still retaining a real human beauty. Besides enjoying the tangled webs they weave with their arrangements, I think the thing that is most exciting about their sound is that it's truly centered around the human voice.
Wed Jul 26 2023
4
Quite liked this one. Worth a few more listens.
Sat Aug 12 2023
4
I love TV On the Radio! This is not my favourite album of theirs, but cool to learn it was their debut. Staring at the Sun is an awesome track.
Mon Aug 14 2023
4
I'm thirsty, babes. Get us some blood.
Mon Aug 14 2023
4
yeah, pretty good.
Fri Sep 01 2023
4
Love love
Tue Sep 05 2023
4
I listened to Dear Science about a year ago and was impressed with the accessibility of their music, with plenty of catchy songs to sing and dance to, and one of the strongest attempts at fusing funk rock with garage revival. Well, this one is far less accessible. In this earlier album, the vocals still remind me of Prince, but there's not much funky about it. The mood is overall very sinister, with dark synths and other eery instruments, like an atonal trumpet ("The Wrong Way"), wild flutes ("Wear You Out"), and a foreboding organ ("Don't Love You"). This record has no end to its innovation. Many tracks blend genres in a way that maintains a similar dark mood and atmosphere yet combines ideas for a song that you never thought could work. The first track ("The Wrong Way") straight away shoves all sorts of atonality and clashing instruments with some central melody that in some ways reminds me of the art rock work of Roxy Music. "Staring at the Sun", a re-recording of their first single from their Young Liars EP, and one of their most popular songs; follows a harsh drone (like the band Suicide). If the intro didn't push you away, this will grab your attention. "Dreams" is a typical post-punk revival track like what you would see on Interpol. No complaints, probably the most accessible track on the album. "King Eternal" is industrial rock on the surface. Could see this coming from a NiN record. "Poppy" blends beautiful a capella on top a very distressing, highly distorted noise riff. "Ambulance" is a minimalist doo-wop track with nothing more than lo-fi forest ambiance (and somehow the second most popular song). "Don't Love You" has a frail techno-theme going on that matches the old haunted mansion aesthetic that the organ gives off. "Bomb Yourself" is the most chaotic song on here, with weird effects coming from each speaker. If I had to describe it, it's probably a funk song thrown into an industrial filter with some folk instruments on top. "Wear You Out" is a loud and wild closer that gets increasingly more chaotic as it goes on, and it keeps going on and on until slowly dying off. Every track is memorable. The tracks are highly experimental and fun, but a lot of it does feel forced and clashes to not work as well as it could. It sounds fantastic but harsh at times. I could see them improving these songs to be grander or more accessible.
Wed Sep 06 2023
4
I was excited to see that these guys have another album on this list. I listened to quite a bit of their music after I got dear science but was still unfamiliar with this album. It wasn’t quite as good as the rest of their music but still sounded like their signature (if a little rougher) sound that I liked so much before. This album had a couple duds (especially the bonus tracks) throughout but songs like dreams outweighed them.
Mon Sep 11 2023
4
3.5 but want to come back to it
Tue Sep 12 2023
4
4.5
Wed Sep 20 2023
4
Very unique sound, lots of genres mashed together by a band that seems to have a lot of fun with it.
Thu Sep 21 2023
4
Decent, but I struggled to get enthused by it.
Fri Sep 22 2023
4
4.25
Fri Sep 29 2023
4
Finally something original on this list. It could have been somewhat more abrasive but overall very nice
Tue Oct 03 2023
4
A good listen, maybe not as high on my list as some of their other albums. Seem more low key to me.
Tue Oct 03 2023
4
I think this is a good record and a band with a new and unique sound. I’m not a huge fan although I do like a few songs. Feels 4ish regardless of whether I like it all that much.
Fri Oct 06 2023
4
Ooh, this is really interesting, on many levels, even if it’s not immediately “easy to love”. I think it could really grow on me. Based on a quick listen to all the first half and part-songs in the 2nd half, 3.5 rounded up to 4 to make sure I do come back to it!
Sat Oct 07 2023
4
Fun and quirky and deep and weird. Loved this from beginning to end! Never knew what the next track would be.
Fri Oct 13 2023
4
Very solid and promising, not quite as good as their next two
Thu Oct 19 2023
4
This is the kind of album I'm here for! Music by musicians, not frauds chasing moneybags. Loved how bizarre this was, obviously a passion project - will tune in again
Wed Oct 25 2023
4
Sembla que és un dels discos que han caigut de la llista de ‘1001 imprescindibles’. Quina mala folla. És el gloriós segon disc d’una banda única i possiblement el seu millor moment, tot i que els dos posteriors s’hi acosten molt. Solvent, poderós, innovador i vigorós, temes com ‘Staring at the Sun’ o ‘Dreams’ es troben entre el millor de començaments del mil.leni
Sun Oct 29 2023
4
Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Starting at the Sun, Ambulance
Wed Nov 01 2023
4
Hard
Wed Nov 08 2023
4
Never heard of them. Wasn't sure what to expect. Seems out of time. Amazing.
Fri Nov 10 2023
4
Previously had only listened to Dear Science by this band, this seemed more aggressively art-forward. It grew on me though and I ended up really liking it.
Wed Nov 15 2023
4
God "punk", 4/5. Lidt ala AM. You Could Be Love er for fed!
Wed Nov 15 2023
4
Reminded me of Doves but felt more interesting. 7/10
Wed Nov 15 2023
4
Some quite good songs on here! Didn't love all of them, but definitely a few added to my library :)
Fri Nov 17 2023
4
I liked this more than I thought I would.
Fri Nov 17 2023
4
So close to a 5 Gets better with every listen I will revisit this one from time to time. I love the vibe, it feels like they would add a different instrument or backing vocal at any point to make any song better, it felt risky and rewarding. I'll go 4/5 for now, but this one will likely grow on me
Sat Nov 18 2023
4
Never heard this album of theirs. It's a bit more raw and artsy than their other work but overall pretty similar to the sound I'd expect. Kind of a wash over me and nothing sticks out, but it's a 3.5 rounded up to 4.
Mon Nov 27 2023
4
Förvånansvärt bra. Jag är överraskad.
Wed Nov 29 2023
4
What's this? An album from the early 2000s that's good? I must be truly blessed this day. The album is really interesting. They go through a lot of different sounds and styles while still keeping it coherent. The production is excellent and gets great texture out of the music. This is one that I might have to pick up on vinyl if I can find it 4/5
Wed Nov 29 2023
4
This is a great debut album. The production is really solid for the vibe of the music. TV on the Radio was a really unique and cool band to come out of this early 2000s NYC wave of indie bands and I remember liking this album when it came out but it had been a little while since I had listened to it. I feel like this one is a solid 4/5 for me. I went back for additional listens throughout the day, which is always a good indicator for me that an album should be in the 4-5 star range. Standout Tracks: The Wrong Way, Staring at the Sun, King Eternal, Ambulance, Poppy, Wear You Out
Wed Nov 29 2023
4
Like they told Trent Reznor to re-do Downward Spiral, "but happier?" Also, take this saxophone. You'll know when to use it.
Fri Jul 14 2023
3
3.75
Mon Jul 17 2023
3
This band definitely deserve more attention from my ears
Tue Jul 18 2023
3
Certainly alternative rock from the early 2000s, there's this sound you can pick up from it, but I like the addition of a sort of soul sound to it all, like if Lenny Kravitz started making music in this era instead. That being said, it is very repetitive, and almost none of the songs have a climax, it's usually the same song it was five minutes before with an extra voice and instrument or two. That isn't always true, but it certainly felt like it. Otherwise pretty alright, just feels like it should've done more.
Wed Jul 19 2023
3
Fascinating and weird, high tech and acoustic. Very curious.
Wed Jul 19 2023
3
Imagine if a barbershop quartet got deep into Sonic Youth and early 00s Radiohead, and you have a rough idea of what this sounds like. It's interesting - I feel like it would reward further listens - though I didn't bother then so I don't know that I will now. It's music I have a lot of respect for, but probably wouldn't buy.
Thu Jul 20 2023
3
Very intense, and dark, cool rock 3/5
Thu Jul 20 2023
3
There are some hits and misses on this album.
Sat Jul 22 2023
3
Pop sin contemplaciones con un estilo un tanto definido y una voz característica. Aunque se escucha fácil, pasan sin pena ni gloria
Sun Jul 23 2023
3
Interesting to hear the big variety of styles and artistry but overall not more than 3 stars
Sun Jul 23 2023
3
Nothing enjoyable really. Like you can passively listen, but the sound is horrible. Sounds like it was recorded on a phone.
Sun Jul 23 2023
3
There was a good, droney taste here that pulled from diverse sonic ingredients, but I wish it didn't get blended so homogenously. Every sip tasted the same.
Wed Jul 26 2023
3
-never heard of this band or album tbh -first song has a very interesting vibe -EERIE beginning of this one omg -i REALLY like this song -staring at the sun is in the liked songs club -dreams was okay -love the dum dum dum dum dums in the back of this one -i love the vocals and how high they go -overall i am enjoying this -i wish half stars existed cause idk if this is 3 or 4 stars
Fri Jul 28 2023
3
Really only liked Staring at the Sun
Thu Aug 03 2023
3
Pretty good, but nothing special.
Fri Aug 04 2023
3
Alternative rock that's loud, post-rock, post-post-punk, completely undanceable and deconstructed. While it sounds aggressive and loud, it comes across more like a "back off" creating a wall of protection from the distorted guitar, bass and synth loops. The drums are subdued and quiet compared to the tremolo picking lines that are bright. Vocals interweave in to one another which makes this record more sophisticated than the "standard" post-rock faire.
Fri Aug 04 2023
3
This is pretty cool, despite being another album with absolutely zero cultural impact, that was dragged out of the deepest pits of hell and put onto this list by demon king Beelzebub himself. A very "it's the middle of the night and I'm on an empty highway"-kind of album. I dig the aesthetic. Haven't heard anything quite like this. Interesting listen overall. Glad I gave it a chance.
Tue Aug 08 2023
3
3.5
Wed Aug 09 2023
3
It was much more of an art rock vibe than I thought it would be. I expected more of an electronic vibe. Definitely not a bad album, but left a pretty flat impression on me. Best: Ambulance Worst: Poppy
Thu Aug 10 2023
3
3.5
Fri Aug 11 2023
3
I think this album was alright, I really enjoyed their use of just vocals
Sat Aug 12 2023
3
Helt coolt men int greppande på någo sätt alls
Sat Aug 12 2023
3
Pretty interesting sound, I prefer it to the other TV On The Radio album that was on here. Ultimately it doesn’t really add up to too much besides a decent listen
Mon Aug 14 2023
3
The smooth sound of Morgan Freeman covered in jam. I was so high.
Fri Aug 18 2023
3
Its ok. Cool soundscapes, didnt speak much to me one way or the other though
Tue Aug 29 2023
3
Pretty good! This is the second TVOTR album I’ve had. I can see why people like them, although I don’t feel particularly compelled to seek them out on my own in the future. I really liked “Staring at the Sun.” More probably of a 3.5.
Wed Aug 30 2023
3
3.9 - Starts cool and measured with some artful layering of growly guitars and husky saxophones on songs like "Staring at the Sun." The paired lead and falsetto backing vocals adds a rough element that blends nicely with the dark atmosphere. "Ambulance" marks a creative apex, sung a cappella. From there, the record takes a marked downturn and I'd say they extend that denouement for too long with "Don't Love You", "Bomb Yourself", "Wear You Out." One other solid rocker would've ended this record on a higher high.
Fri Sep 01 2023
3
I still can't quite understand the cultural impact of TV on the Radio. While they are indie darlings, no doubt, I had never encountered the band's name until I saw their 2008 album on this list. It was pretty good! This one is just good. Some interesting ideas being explored but never in any context that compelled me. Felt like a good start for the band that would go on to do better things.
Wed Sep 06 2023
3
Really cool aspects, but feels like generic 2010s alternative in a lot of ways. Cool they were so early, but 20 years later it is a bit boring
Wed Sep 06 2023
3
This was ultimately fairly disappointing for me. When I was listening to the opening track The Wrong Way, I was getting pretty hyped. I thought it was really out there, cool and weird. Turns out the rest of the album was not like that at all and pretty much just sounded like Bloc Party. It’s fine as far as that era of indie rock goes, nothing particular offensive, just nothing super interesting. Ultimately I’ve got no issue with this album and probably won’t mind if it comes on in an indie mix in the future, just probably not something I’ll go looking for (except the opening track, that was super cool)
Wed Sep 06 2023
3
This is another one of those albums where I get it, but it’s not for me. I appreciated some of the more unique production choices, but the minimal drum beats and marvel movie synth orchestra stuff really left me cold. I’m glad to have listened to this album, but I’ll most likely never listen to it again.
Fri Sep 08 2023
3
Groovy at points, but way too heavy on the falsetto. Best track: Don't Love You
Wed Sep 13 2023
3
TV On The Radio took the forward motion of motorik and laid it down record-length. Added some incongruous sound on top and let the knobs spin wild in the mix. That erases the foundation at points, but Desperate Youth stubbornly fails to come apart even as a cappella tends to drag. It is all a bit disorienting, the electric flashes in the night as rendered honestly by the cover. Useful illumination on the scaffolding of a later sound.
Thu Sep 14 2023
3
first listen kinda boring and weird, sounds like a bad Bowie album (which he doesn't have)
Sat Sep 16 2023
3
Nicely done.
Sat Sep 16 2023
3
Very talented band. But not for me.
Mon Sep 18 2023
3
Weird indie rock that I sorta found too hipsterish and off putting for my taste. I think for the Pitchfork crowd this is like…a ten out of ten but I’ve never been much for that sort of thing. For me it’s more of a strong 5…outta 10
Thu Sep 28 2023
3
Yeah man, this was ok! Enjoyable but didn’t take my socks off!
Tue Oct 03 2023
3
It was fine. I hadn’t listened to this one in a while and I didn’t like it as much as I remembered.
Tue Oct 03 2023
3
Quite a bit of different music genres melting together on this. Certain songs work really well, others not so much but I like the creativity.
Tue Oct 03 2023
3
Not bad. Some half decent tunes, but doubt I’d listen again.
Fri Oct 06 2023
3
Whacko album. Track 1 sounds like there’s a motorbike in the background. Every track has some different sort of drum-beat happening. Ambulance is built around some sort of recurring doo-woo refrain. And it ends with the 7-minute Wear You Out, which seems to be built on drumming that brings to mind a native American beat, before it heads off into the territory of free jazz. I didn’t take any notice of the lyrics. But I really enjoyed the music.
Sat Oct 07 2023
3
Turn on the Sirius XM alternative channel - is it playing this?
Mon Oct 09 2023
3
It was an OK album. Not my style but I didn’t hate it.
Thu Oct 12 2023
3
They have better records tho!
Thu Oct 19 2023
3
TV On The Radio album #2 (#74 overall): another largely forgettable album. After this one was done playing, Wolf Like Me started playing and I can immediately see why this band was included. Why this album? It's not bad, but I feel like so many good albums were left off for this. Meh. 3/5
Wed Oct 25 2023
3
Beetje weird, maar ook wel interessant. En weer eens iets wat niet de gebaande paden braaf volgt.
Thu Oct 26 2023
3
A strong debut from one of the best bands of the 00s, showcasing their unique ability to blend multiple disparate styles, like post-punk, electronic, hip-hop, doo wop, etc. The first half is great, with Dreams and Ambulance as standouts next to the previously released Staring at the Sun. The second half is darker and more overtly political, which I think makes it a bit weaker.
Tue Oct 31 2023
3
Long et penible, un peu comme l'attente du review du mariage de Charles.
Tue Oct 31 2023
3
Long et chiant, un peu comme les séances de sport trop chers pour ce qu'elles sont d'eltrapeze.
Sun Nov 05 2023
3
Nothing to say.
Sun Nov 05 2023
3
Odd, kinda cool. Chill, weird noises. One of a kind
Thu Nov 09 2023
3
Starts strong but loses momentum in the second half. Overall decent. The bonus track is flat out terrible. Memo to musicians. Don't do bonus tracks. If the song isn't good enough to be on the original album, don't use it as a bonus track. More often than not, bonus tracks are awful.
Tue Nov 14 2023
3
Interesting good
Wed Nov 15 2023
3
6/10. The fact that they had the lyric "Final Fantasy" in an album that was definitely released after Final Fantasy existed is an unforgivable mistake, really distracted me from the song, and now that I've written this review it's all I'll ever remember about this album.
Wed Nov 15 2023
3
This one was all over the musical map, some tracks were great some less so. The one that sounded like Bobby McFerrin was my favorite.
Fri Nov 17 2023
3
-has a low-key sound -decent lyrics -most songs seem unresolved -nothing that really grabbed me or made me want to listen to it again
Fri Nov 17 2023
3
Ehh I should like this but it wasn't really vibing with me. I like the indie nature of it but I wasn't feeling it. Something to revisit in the future and maybe it'll speak more to me.
Fri Nov 17 2023
3
This was kind of like Lost Souls by Doves, which was only about a week ago for me: mostly pretty boring, but I liked one song (Staring at the Sun, with this one).
Sat Nov 18 2023
3
They have some good stuff going on here. I felt fairly neutral about it overall though, I'm not exactly sure why. Maybe it's because most of the songs have a kind of self loathing feeling to them that I don't like staying in too long. I could see it growing on me though, we'll see.
Mon Nov 20 2023
3
Rock experimental.
Tue Nov 21 2023
3
It seems fairly rare than I’m generated an album to listen to that was recorded post-millenium. Today’s album is one of these, and is a band I’ve never heard of before. I can forgive myself for not knowing albums that came out before I was born, but anything post-1990 seems like something I should at least be vaguely aware of. Let’s listen! Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Staring At The Sun, Ambulance This reminded me of another band, although I’m not sure who that other band is. I like the layered vocals here, despite rarely being harmonised and generally being the same melodies. I don’t usually like that, but it sounded nice here. The music is quite odd and I’m not sure how to categorise it aside from alt-rock, which is too broad a genre. It didn’t blow me away, but it was a pleasant listen.
Wed Nov 22 2023
3
stronger than Dear Science
Sun Nov 26 2023
3
Started out strong, lost interest half way through.