Reviews (page 3 of 7)
Wasn't expecting much but this was pretty decent, definitely a vibe. Saved a few songs to the current rotation.
I made it through the album.
I liked this a lot. There is something very impromptu sounding about a lot of the vocal tracks that gives this record a really cool live feel to it. Sometimes reminds me of Pere Ubu. 4/5
I really like TV on the Radio, but didn't spend much time with this album in the past. On relisten, I think this is good, but also probably my least favorite TVOTR album. Both Return to Cookie Mount and Dear Science clear this by a lot. Still, it is good! Just not as good as its siblings. 3.25/5
S’ok.
They have better albums
3.2 stars rounded down.
Quirky but also very listenable. I enjoyed this.
I had this album when it came out but it has been years since I listened to it. Stellar album from start to finish - love their creativity and the layers of sounds and musical styles
I love TV On The Radio, and I think their first three albums are probably worthwhile to include on this list. Not only do they shift and evolve their sound between each album, but it provides a fascniating insight into the more "art-rock" side of the 2000s NY rock revival. This album is a great jumping off point - the sound is a little rough around the edges but overflowing with creativity.
I remember TV on the radio as a kid for their appearance on The Colbert Report and not much else. I remember TV on the Radio as an adult for the past five or more years because their song, "Golden Age" (not on this album) was played by Phish in live concerts more times than TV on the Radio has ever practiced the song by this point. 0 expectations or a clue going into this. 159 albums in, and I think Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes is probably the weirdest album for me to rank yet. Certainly not the weirdest music I've heard, but for me to take in. Easier to write about it track by track. The Wrong Way is an okay start to the album, kicks in the opening seconds the right way. No strong opinion about Staring at the Sun. Dreams took a couple minutes for it to grow on me, and highlights the interesting falsetto singing that is kind of divisive for me in the sense I can either enjoy it or prefer something else. I'll give TV on the Radio all the credit in the world for trying to sound different in the 2000s: one of the most homogeneous decades for popular music since the 40s. 22 years later, it still stands out from other 2004 artists and albums that more or less closely aligned with a genre strongly, TV on the Radio sounds like a proper mixture of genres but put in a blender. Wikipedia says darkwave (for a couple songs, sure), avant-pop (the vocals yeah) and post punk, a genre best fitted for "idk it sounds kinda minimalist like punk but more abstract". King Eternal sounds like it's 2000s for sure, but better executed than the cliches of indie music of the time. Ambulance and Poppy are probably my least favorite tracks on the album, because they exemplifies a softer sound and the type of falsetto vocals I don't like to hear. You Could Be Love, the bonus track, fits this to an egregious degree. The album does end on a nice 1-2-3 of Don't Love You, Bomb Yourself (is it about Final Fantasy 7?), and Wear You Out. I don't think I've heard an album in a while that made me feel quite mixed about it as a whole. Some songs I can really vibe too, and others I can really do without. The middle ground exists in a few songs like Dreams or Staring At The Sun. I usually prefer liking specific songs and putting them on a bigass shuffle playlist for when I'm out and about touching grass away from the big compooter screen. That's where Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes is saved for me in the rankings: I don't really think the sum of its parts deserves a spot on its list (Dear Science is probably fine as the sole representative, but it hasn't shown up for me yet), but the songs and the unique structure of the album give it a compelling counter argument. When the record is upbeat, it's great. When it's not, it suffers for me. I tend to be a generous ranker for this site because it's filled with lots of negativity bias, so that's what gives this a 4 instead of a 3.
You could be forgiven for being skeptical of the idea that there might be anything even slightly new-sounding about rock music in 2004, and yet here we are, with this noisy, punky, and yet hypermodern-sounding collection. Not everything works - some of the lyrics are "young" as in immature rather than just "young" as in idealistic - but all the ingredients are here for something great. And "Staring at the Sun" is a worthy addition to the trip-hop canon (which I initally misspelled as "trip-hope" and that's entirely appropriate).
This was dope. Been meaning to check this one out.
The Good: There are Babes included in this album! The Bad: Uncertain what the desperate youth has to do with this album, or why the babes have to blood thirsty… The Ugly: The fact that we are duped in believing that we can see Tv on the Radio… Maybe, just maybe, if they would not have placed a focus on desperation on the thirst for blood, we would have had something more enjoyable to listen to. Not that his album is bad… it’s just that the second half of the album is too long… makes me a desperate old-fart, who becomes blood thirsty enough to wanna kill something. It’s a shame, because it could have been something excellent if it were more cohesive, less going on a rant, and most songs cut down to about half the length. Should this album be on the list? Yes, because I am glad to listened to it.. more than anything because for once there is an album recorded in the new millenium that I kinda like… But not certain if I can give this 4*…
Few really good tunes but some skippable too
Sonido interesante y terribles vocales, pero no es algo que me haya volado la cabeza. Escuchable y disfrutable, pero no algo que volvería a escuchar. Me gustaron algunos tracks, aunque no los guardaría.
1+ Stars (3/15)
Not bad but definitely not my type due to the voices. I was not into the individual voices nor the group harmonies. I could listen to an instrumental version of some songs
I don't get why this is so inaccessible to people. Sure, it's experimental, and some tracks are pretty weird, but this was my first listen and it was relaxing and not boring at all. Also, some of these lyrics are insanely good. Easy 5 for me.
The type of album that I could be into but it just doesn’t hit.
Funky and strange and I was lowkey rocking with it until I began to become very bored
fucking with this hard!!!
Nope!
Damn, that was dope
I feel like a piece of shit for disliking this. I don't think this music is BAD or terrible by any means, this truly is just an album I do not and will never like under any circumstances, this is just not for me and that's okay. I am surprised seeing this album on this list though, like this had to be some recency bias.
I wanted to like it more than I did. This feeling wasn’t helped by the last minute and a half of You Could Be Love. Minus one star for that.
The instrumentation was pretty good most of the time, but the vocals were odd. It sounded like a singer with a lot of raw talent, but kind of just starting out in the craft of singing. I didn't love it, but there were some very cool moments that made me realize why it was probably in this list. I enjoyed the musicality and variety of the styles and feels. Three stars.
Have always really admired TV On The Radio, but never really gone back to this album as much. You can definitely sees what sets them apart from the other indie rock bands of the era, though there's still a roughness to this which I think they refine on later releases. Still a super interesting and unique record.
I'm not likely to come back to it, but certainly intriguing.
Stom. Saai. Jeukt aan .m'n oor
The later tracks resonated with me more than the opening ones. Decent, not enough to want to re-listen.
Eh? Couldn't get into it.
Good debut album from TV on the Radio. Definitely an original sound and groove. Highlights: "Staring at the Sun" and "Poppy"
Dreams is the standout here. Poppy and Bomb Yourself also not bad.
This is one I’ll need more time with. I like it, but I don’t love it yet. I think I’ll learn to.
I really liked this album's sultry tracks. Especially "wear you out"
Always good, love that driving beat and synthy guitar
Me gustó, un estilo raro al principio pero buenas canciones.
Close but you're way off. This is mixed and produced very poorly, with some very good ideas lost in the chaos.
Kind of atmospheric, droney
The mixed voices are pretty good, but something boring about the melodies. I found interesting in the rhythms, harmonies and voices in the track "Bomb Yourself", but nothing more than that song. For me, a normal star for the band, but nothing special about it
Certainly creative but nothing I could find myself latching onto. A step up from moods and tones but nothing was memorable here at all. Felt like blah blah blah.
Definitely one of the more different albums I’ve heard not bad at all, but definitely not for me but I see how someone could like this
Really unique sound, well produced and very creative. Definitely a few tracks I’d come back to.
There's some interesting tracks here, and there's a moody vibe that kinda works throughout the album. I liked The Wrong Way, Don't Love You and Wear You Out the most.
This really shouldn't work and I kinda expect to hate it if I re-listen to this one day but it caught me in the right mood today. Delightfully weird in a way that just worked for me for some reason. 7/10
Gave me Bon Iver vibes a little. Can appreciate the experimentation but not everything stuck
Man, I have been getting a lot of unnecessary repeat artists lately, haven't I? Why do TV on the Radio have 2 albums on this list? They're a good band, but it feels a little weird for them to have two albums here. I'm pretty sure this was a case of replacing an album with a later one though, so I don't think the last ever had 2 TV on the Radio albums on it at the same time. That at least makes a little bit of sense, but it doesn't matter for me because I have to listen to both anyway! Whatever. At least these guys are good. Better than Orbital and Happy Mondays, that's for sure. I got Dear Science like a year and half ago, so take this next statement with a grain of salt. I think these two albums are pretty neck-and-neck in terms of quality. I think I might have liked Dear Science a little more, but it's a close call. The general musical style here is pretty much the same as it was on the later album, albeit a little less refined since this was their debut after all. I think the band's style is neat. It's artsy and a little hard to describe, which is usually a good sign. I think the writing on this one is a little repetitive. The songs seem to mostly be about relationships and women and such, but in a way that's more troubled than the average album. It's an interesting perspective, but I think I think it kinda runs its course before the album ends. There are, of course, exceptions to this, with the penultimate track "Bomb Yourself" taking a break to focus on politics, but it is still something that I noticed. The album's got some good songs. "Staring at the Sun" especially is actually pretty great. The runtime isn't a problem at all. This is a decent album right here. Not the group's peak, but still a respectable debut. High 3/5.
This is a intriguing album, but as it went on I liked it less and less. The album starts off very strong with the first two tracks, but after that it starts to drag. Most of the songs go on for too long, and I think there are a few songs that could have been cut altogether. I was not a fan of the random acapella throughout. And by the end of the album I was bored, waiting for it to be over. Overall, I think this album is just okay, not good or bad. Three stars. (Favorite track: Staring at the Sun.)
I see why it is on the list but not something I’d listen to much again
New York's alright if you wanna be pushed in front of the subway New York's alright if you like tuberculosis New York's alright if you like art and jazz New York's alright if you're a homosexual
It could change in the future but right now I'm feeling very annoyed by how the vocals intertwine with each other. The most annoying one was the one with a cappella vibes. I was wondering why Dave Sitek was a world class renowned producer but TV on the Radio wasn't mainstream popular and I think it has the right ingredients but it's applied in wrong doses. Like this isn't too far from what yeah yeah yeahs did but they had a charm that is lacking in here. 2/5 Wear You Out was the highlight of the album as it toned down the weirdness.
it's a unique sound, but I think it only works if you're in the right headspace or doing something else in the foreground.
At last, something unfamiliar. Bit surprised this is from 2004, sounds more 90s. Nice base. Singing a bit all over the place. Not bad.
sounds like 2004
too much art 4 my taste , also clopywrite of joy division
This is the kind of weird stuff that grows on you. Fun
See this is weird without being TOO weird. I actually love Acapella music so I really liked that song. It feels like they're trying new things without it feeling all over the place! I liked it! But I don't think I'd listen to it on my own again. I didn't even really mind the voice, which is surprising for me.
Ehhh, not bad. Not as good is a i thought it would be
Cool vibes, not an every day fit
Really weird, partially enjoyable? I had heard that Staring at the Sun song from somewhere before. Overall a 3
What a bizarre album. At times I was loving the sounds and at other times it actively annoyed me. Probably not one I'll go back to, but overall it was an interesting album to experience. 3 stars.
This was a huge surprise for me and I loved it. I was familiar with their album Dear Science, but this was so much more fun and original. Prince inspired at times and they stretch their musicality to fun places.
exquisitely trash
More like Radio on the TV. Lets the imagination fill in its own blanks. Enjoyed the difference.
My kids are sometimes interested in YouTube videos which basically consist of a charming talking head watching various clips and declaring them “satisfying”. While I’ve committed to myself not to overly judge these videos, the basic concept seems to be that what makes something “satisfying” is that, whatever expectations one may bring, they are competently met, and often with panache. This album was immensely satisfying.
I’ve tried and tried to like this band, but they just don’t do it for me. It’s not you, it’s me.
It's like if Radiohead were American and their brains made enough serotonin. Cool synths and textures, but a little finely sanded for a Touch and Go band? Three stars. Favorite track: Dreams
¡Vaya sorpresa ese disco y este grupo!
I like it
Pretty dull stuff with some irritating vocals. I can't really see why this album made the list.
Traaaaaash
le pongo esto porque no merece un 2 enserio
Not a bad album, but there were plenty of times I wasn’t sure what I was listening to. Better than expected. 3/5
Irgendwie ganz cool, aber auf albumlänge auch sehr viel.
Different but fun!
Sometimes interesting, sometimes odd, not something I feel compelled to revisit.
I saw these guys at the end of last year. And many times before. Massive fan of TVoTR. What a debut album. Experimental but so listenable. An easy 5/5 from me.
A few of the songs were fun, and a few were boring (especially 2 bonus tracks). Prob a 3.5-.75 depending on which I focus on
I didn’t really like it. There was maybe one song I could bop along to, and the rest ranged from fine to a little headache-y and weird sounds. Not all the way to bad experimental, but not good
Well executed weird.
I had high hopes for this and it is very much the exact same song on repeat throughout. Which is a shame. It did nothing for me at all.
Начало было хорошим, но под конец песни скатились, по ощущениям будто последние три демки, а не только последняя, из-за этого 6/10
Not for me.
A grower but great
I'm not really sure I understand what's happening on this album, which is why I'm surprised to say I think I kind of like it. I think? Yes. I like it. I'll come back to this, for sure ⭐⭐⭐.5
Played it twice and that was enough. The second listen was much more pleasant than the first one though. I quite enjoyed "wear you out" thats it
Got quite deep into this as I found it unique and really liked a few songs. Found the production and vocals a bit too difficult at times. Strong 3.5.
They were ok. Not necessarily someone I’d want to listen to on the regular.
This might be the nostalgia talking, but I love this album and every song on it. I heard "Staring at the Sun" late at night on MTV2 when I was 16 and I was so excited to hear something that didn't sound like the terrible mainstream rock music of the time or the bland, generic indie rock of the time. I went out and bought the CD as soon as I could and fell in love with it. I didn't know anyone else at the time who like this band and they felt like a hidden gem. Little music at that time was this weird, funky, and thoughtful. I couldn't imagine how this band wrote these songs and put them together. I expected my interest in this music to wane over time (as I've heard TVOTR placed in a zillion movies and TV shows since then) but it still has the same effect on me.
Better than Coldplay
I don’t know how to describe this, I liked it but I also didn’t, I like the dark tones and wierd voices, I don’t like the feeling of being edged every song with no end but it’s worth the three
I enjoyed it enough to listen to it twice.
Not bad but a little bit goes a long way.
Music was interesting, vocals meh
Hopes were at an all time low when I saw another alt/art-rock album in this little run that I'm on, but this on caught my attention right from the start and actually kept things interesting the whole time. Was it always working? No, maybe not, but I respect the experimental nature of what they're doing. Ultimately I found more of what I prefer here than in any of the Radiohead albums, not that I should be drawing a direct comparison between the two, but there's clear overlap here. For a debut album, it really feels like TV On The Radio didn't pull any punches and put out exactly what they wanted to, a cappella vocals, crunchy guitars, even a dribbling of early 2000s electronica. It's still not my genre of choice, but it kept my attention the whole time which is more than I can say for others of its kind in this list. Highlight: Staring at the Sun Lowlight: Don't Love You Surprise Hit: Wear You Out
Not that great
Ukjent for meg. Vanskelig å stemple en sjanger på dette albumet, men indie/art rock kommer vel ganske nærme. Flere ålreite innslag her, men også noen nedturer; i særdeleshet Ambulance, hvor bakgrunnsmusikken ikke består av mye annet enn en mann som sier “dum-dum-DUM”. Denne dum-ingen gjør for øvrig en retur allerede i påfølgende låt, Poppy, som også er uinteressant. Det største problemet mitt her, er at låtene, til tross for innbydende starter, ikke utvikler seg til noe mer enn helt okei rock. De beste sangene er ikke gode nok til å redde inn noe bedre enn en toer her. Top 3: Staring at the Sun, King Eternal, Dreams
No. 91 Sounds good but it's not the big deal. It has cute and weird themes. I also feel it as an album that if you listen to it a lot you end up loving it
I fell asleep at one of their concerts once. Still feel bad about it.
Felt like a fucked up fever dream
Fascinating songwriting. The harmonies go in places you don’t expect and all mixed with some fuzzed up guitar.
I’m disappointed, I thought I’d like this a lot more but found it pretty tedious and dull.
Average.
Had some elements I liked and grooved with, but just couldn't get into the album as a whole.
I love TVOTR. This is my least favourite TVOTR album. It still does loads of interesting stuff, including the a-capella Ambulance. And Staring at the Sun is eternally brillaint. But Cookie Mountain and Dear Science are superior.
i can’t believe i’ve never listened to a TV On The Radio album before this because every song I do know from them I quite enjoy. This was nice, gonna add their other albums to my to-listen list
I didn't know anything about TV on the radio. By the end of this to me they sounded like an indie/rock version of hot chip. Maybe a bit more experimental, but that was the vibe I felt. Unfortunately I'm not sure this album had any tracks that totally grabbed me. There were bits that stood out and some really interesting vocal parts, but on the whole was lacking what I was hoping for. It wasn't bad, maybe they have other albums I'd like more. This is probably a mid-to-low 3.
Not too bad, suitable in the background
The dark distortion of the bass on the first track sets the scene for the album. It get a bit weird but overall a good listen
I don't know what I deserved to have to listen to this album once in my life. I was going to give this a 2 since it was weird but still listenable music, even if some a cappella choices were suspect, and then the unrepentant final song began, complete with nonsensical warbling. I was so mad when I finished this album. Bye.
I know some stuff by TV On The Radio, and have always found their approach to alternative rock to be quite unique and interesting. In fact, they have a later album, "Dear Science" that is also on this project. This album came a few years before "Dear Science", and it is a lot less "mainstream" as far as alternative and indie goes -- it is downright weird and experimental in places. And I appreciate that. But once again, like the previous TV On The Radio album, I'm not sure I look at this as essential listening. But I liked it okay. And I guess that's enough.
fourth rate landfill indie, a tired re-hashing a very well worn set of sounds and vibes. One star, begrudgingly given as it should be Zero- NOBODY needs to hear this album before they die.
Lacking standouts and a bit unsure but 7/10
I LOVED this thing. A swanky opening song had my ears perked up a bit. This song basically dunks on Kings Of Leon’s entire discography. “Ambulance” was strikingly catchy with its acapella arrangement, slightly reminding me of the material on Hawaii Part 2 by Musical Miracle. “Dont Love You” was so assertive and hypnotic. This whole project has so much character bleeding through its cracks, and I think this song is the best example of that. Even the bonus songs were good! “You Could Be Love” is fighting for my favorite song on the album. How haunting! I really wanted to give this a 5/5. I listened to it back to back times. Ultimately, at this very moment, it falls just short of perfection. But I’m hoping the edit ratings feature is around when I complete the last 400 albums I have left to go, because this could be a true 5/5 on revisit
Great Album honestly - the cover especially
Really fun to revisit but more of a precursor to their stronger work but an interesting touch stone as the band developed
I liked some of it but I didn’t enjoy the longer sparse bits and the discordant singing
Very 2004
Ovakva me muzika baš iritira.
I had never heard of these guys and that is my loss because this album is amazing. One of the better debut albums from anybody.
Noise
Good album
wish i could give this a 2.5. lots of interesting ideas in here but most feel like they fall flat, at least to my taste. it's radiohead if radiohead was mid
definitely an interesting record, but not something i’ll come back to. in theory, i should like this, but it didn’t quite gel with me.
That's a metal album name if I've ever heard one
Could have possibly gotten as high as a 3 if it weren't for the vocals. The music isn't bad and I actually like parts of it; so, it's not worth a single star, either. 2-ish stars.
Kind of interesting and unique but not my vibe
Reviewing TV On The Radio’s "Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes" shortly after a bout of the flu may have tested my patience a little too far, but I simply found the album uninspiring. As my wife remarked while listening in: 'I think it's one of those albums that you have to be in the right frame of mind for.' Indeed! While "Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes" isn't musically poor, the experience felt one-paced and failed to hold my interest. Dull. Very dull. One star. 1. "The Wrong Way" – (2/5) 2. "Staring at the Sun" – (2/5) 3. "Dreams" – (1/5) 4. "King Eternal" – (1/5) 5. "Ambulance" – (1/5) 6. "Poppy" – (1/5) 7. "Don't Love You" – (1/5) 8. "Bomb Yourself" – (1/5) 9. "Wear You Out" – (1/5) Total - 11 Average - 1.22 210/1001 119/210 albums reviewed were new to me.
2/5
Brilliant album. So often imitated and rarely matched. Many similar ideas of other post-rock/indie acts of the period but uniquely able to match innovation and novelty with a consistently pleasant and accessible listening experience
I only know of TV On The Radio through this project, not from real life (as it were), so that makes me wonder about their relevance. That said, both of their albums I've listened to have been interesting and worthwhile. I guess, part of why I started this in the first place.
Super cool dude shit!
Very little inspired me. I always heard they were a bit esoteric, it proved to be true.
Meh
I had hoped for more. It was just ok in the end.
Honestly thought it kind of terrible. Singing that didn’t match the drum machine beats that just repeated during every song. I think the singing would have worked with different background music but the background music should he put down it was garage band levels of ass. 2/10
Never heard this one before but it was pretty good! It felt quirky and unpredictable.
Too experimental for my taste
Ok
A odd mix of music, which I had did not gate, but struggled to properly get into.
I'm lame, so I prefer Return To Cookie Mountain. This is still good though. I guess I can round a 3.5 up to a 4.
Kinda weird
Creo que no existe otro disco que radicalice tanto mi opinión sobre las canciones. Tiene canciones que amo desesperadamente y otras que repudio con toda mi alma. Creo que eso hace que no sea aburrido y soso así que 👌
I enjoyed Dear Science, but this one doesn't do it for me. Too atmospheric and meandering. Bomb Yourself threatens to be a good song, but then falls short. Overall... meh.
Sort of surprised that it's this one and not "Return to Cookie Mountain," or at least that it's not on the list. At the time, and for maybe 3 or 4 years afterwards, "Return to Cookie Mountain" (along with Arcade Fire's "Funeral") was treated like an earth-shattering event in music. And, to be fair, I get it, particularly with regard to "Wolf Like Me", which is probably a Top 10 rock song this century. But this isn't about that album! This is about this album! This album is super fucking weird, but I like it! A lot of the sort of scuzzy, thumping beats with arpeggios and such layered over it really work for me, but I can definitely see it being off-putting to some. Similarly, the sort of haunting harmonies, acapella bits, and so forth work for me because it's the kind of creepy I can dig. Again, that's just me. Tunde is a great singer, but he's weird! They're just so weird! "Staring at the Sun" is a masterwork. "Poppy" and "Ambulance" are great. Everything else is very pleasant (to me, on the surface it's probably unpleasant) but I'm not over the moon about it.
Not entirely sure what to think of this album. It was nothing special nor significant in any way.
I'm not sure what this album was trying to be except thoroughly awful.
Ahhh. What a unique sound, and a singular voice for so many years. Tunde’s solo album was one of my favorites of 2025.
This one just didn’t click for me. I didn’t hate it, but I couldn’t find a way in. The mix of art-rock, electronic textures, and experimental edges felt more cerebral than emotional, and it left me cold. I can appreciate the ambition, but it’s not something I’d revisit.
Bueno pero casual. Un poquito caótico siento que no estaba en el headspace para escucharlo en ese momento. Me recuerda poquito a Bloody Valentine
When I started listening and reading the reviews I was all set for this to be a 2 on the grounds of cacophony and reviewers’ pretentiousness, but on listening some more I am sufficiently intrigued to give this a 4 so I come back to it when I’ve finished the project and forgotten it exists. 3.5
Not keen on this. Another album where I thought the artist was trying too hard to be arty and creative, and ended up being a bit contrived
Weird
Darkly boding sounds with opposing-sounding instruments and contrasting vocals. Certainly unique and interesting, but I wouldn't describe it as good music. This might be too much art for my art rock music.
Taide rokkia. Vaikka ehkä enemmän sieltä helpommasta päädystä niin ei hirveesti nappaa. Ei ihan mahdotonta kamaa, eli tälle vois lämmetä mutta aika vaikeaa ekalla kuuntelulla. Löytyi kyllä tarpeeksi hyvää, että on 3 tähteä. Erikoinen levy jokatapauksessa. Ehkä nappas sit kumminkin vähän. Parhaat: Don't Love You, Poppy,
Not in my edition of the book! 2004. 3 stars. Quirky indie US art-rock crossed with doo-wop. Some interesting ideas, but a lot of the tracks outstay their welcome. Glad I heard it, but wouldn't revisit.
Fucking awful.
I think I like the other one better but this is still good
I'm a fan of TV On The Radio but I don't think this album is the best representation of their work
Really good
Return to Cookie Mountain blows this one out of the water. That said, aside from the opening track which meanders a bit much for my tate, there isn't a whole lot to gripe about on this one either. A super strong debut in what might be indie rock's apex era before succumbing to it's own smug self importance. This record is explorative and artistic, breaking new ground on several tracks. Low key classic.
Started pretty slow but redeemed itself a bit in the back half
I enjoyed the first half, but it started to meander too much in the second half.
Staring at the Sun is a clear precursor to Wolf Like Me (utterly fantastic song, not on this album though). Great songwriting here, like the blend of angry vocals with angular guitars and sweet harmony.
rock/indie staring at the sun 2004
Held my interest for the most part but the vocal acappella numbers somewhat killed the vibe for me. Worth a repeat listen….
It's alright.
This is a prank, right? Wikipedia genres: (1) Avant-pop; (2) dark wave; (3) experimental; and (4) post-punk. More like post-music. Get it in the fucking bin.
Biased cause I'm a big TVotR fan. But I'd probably replace this album with Return to Cookie Mountain.
Didn't know this was an art rock group, so I'm suddenly interested where I wasn't before. This was cool. I would need to hear again probably a few times to decide where I would put this but for now it's a 4
Yes, its an album of the indie persuasion, but here's a shocker: I actually don't mind this one! One reason for this, probably, is that I actually like the vocals of co-lead vocalists Tunde Adebimpe and Kyp Malone. Both their voices are rich and soulful, and harmonise off each other with ease. They're not the same generic and wussy vocals you'd normally hear from this genre. Another reason is that the music and lyrics actually travel to interesting places and try to challenge you. The driving distortion of the guitar and bass lines, the inventiveness of the drum programming and loops and the etherial, reflective lyrics combine to create a sound that, while obviously owing to the popular New York indie sound of the time, also dabbles in dark wave and post-punk. So yeah, I'm pleasantly suprised by 'Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes'. TV On the Radio certainly has enough soul and vision to break the mould of the highly generic scene they emerged from, and given this is their debut album, this is a pretty impressive achievement. Best songs: The Wrong Way, Staring at the Sun, King Eternal, Poppy
Älskade ju förra skivan med Tontr. Lyssnade redan då på lite annat av dem. Men hittade spontant inte riktigt samma känsla. Tyvärr är det likadant nu. Tycker inte denna skiva när samma nivå. Saknas några riktigt bra låtar. Det är lite för mjäkigt. Synd. Hade varit lattjo med en till grym skiva. Lite underligt att de har två plattor på listan (särskilt som denna inte var särskilt speciell)? Som vanligt fattar man ingenting.
Oj vad kul, en till platta av TV on the radio, tänkte jag när denna dök upp (gillade verkligen Dear sience och har en mental anteckning om att lyssna mer på den när det här maratonet äntligen är över). Mot den bakgrunden blev tyvärr den här lite av en besvikelse. En låt som Staring at the sun är bra och även Don’t love you, men i övrigt är det lite väl mycket indie-konstigt för min smak (även om det även på denna skiva märks att de är duktiga).
Achei que iria gostar, mas sei lá, não ingressou...no final me irritou um pouco...no máximo 2,5
"Art rock". Exactly what I thought it would be.
No
Music and noise. Not great. There are better synth/punk albums.
Another debut album! The first 21st century album I've listened to in this collection. Gritty guitar, droning backing tracks. The band went big on distortion. Thought the vocals sounded familiar--I've heard Tunde Adebimpe's Magnetic quite a bit on XPN this year.
solid
This was something. Not something special. Just something.
Previously rated: #251 - Dear Science (2/5) *************************** Album #981 None of this was enjoyable to listen to. The worst was the high singing asshat. I was just going to rate this a 2 and move on, but then the last track, You Could Be Love, started. My GOD! An infinite number of monkeys with an infinite number of musical instruments could never, ever create something this horrible. It's the worst song I've heard in my 51 years on this planet. I'm not kidding. Just to make sure I wasn't forgetting something, I did a ctrl+f on my history page, and I've never used the phrase "worst song" before now. Evil itself created this, I'm sure of it.
The last two “bonus tracks” were awful and made the album suffer as that was the last thing heard. Assuming that the original album did not have these it was a fairly straightforward rock album with few surprises. Likely well liked by fans but nothing that made me need to follow up with this band or want to listen to this album again.
I can’t believe I never listened to this album before. I know a couple of their songs but never expected to this listen. I have been missing out.
Enjoyed this alot. Poppy and Staring At The Sun especially. I imagine will get better with additional plays. The kind of thing i was hoping for from this project
Just not my era, or genre. Wild just how few albums I like between 2004-2012ish. Really not into the a cappella singing styie here
I was loving this to start, and got well into the opener. It sounded very different from anything else and had bags of potential. Thought I’d discovered my favourite new band. Sadly it faded badly as it progressed and left me looking for more by the end of it.
Absolutely respect what they're creatin'
Nearly! But not really.
The record is more of a vibe than a post punk record. Dark, emotional, with songs that flow into each other. This album is probably best described as ambient post punk. The frenetic version of TV on the Radio will make it’s appearance on Return to Cookie Mountain but as debut records go and being a release that distills elements of Siouxsie and The Banshees and goth with the Pixies. Tunde Adebimpe’s vocals are what holds the record together with their many layers woven through each track. I prefer tracks like the brilliant Wolf Like Me on Cookie Mountain, but this 1st offering should not be overlooked. Released in 2004, this is a record that could be released today to widespread acclaim. 4/5
Interesting.
The vocals were a little too grating for me to enjoy this any reasonable amount. Irritating at best.
Dont get it
Art rock, huh? Yes, they're working with sounds, but why? There's nothing here that captivates me, or a soundscape that arouses my interest in any way. This can go.
Э. Часто интересно, но зацепиться не за что. Лучшая песня - Poppy.
too desperate. too blood thirsty. probably Paul Simon fans (vampires).
I remembered this as having a bit more edge to it, or at least some forward momentum. If someone had played this for me and said it was some lesser-known Arts + Crafts band, I don’t think I’d have had any reason to doubt them.
In the words of Monty Burns, (sort of), I don't know much about music, but I know what I hate...and I don't hate this. The album definitely has a darker vibe to it and i think it could be quite a polarising album. Some of it sounds like David Bowie, but not quite. It's an adventurous kind of album. Definitely worth a listen
I mean, it's okay. A little bit weird
7/10
Nope!
Bad
ничего не завело, но многое напомнило более меланхоличные треки хот чипа (не люблю)
Wanted to like this, but by the fourth song I was checking to see how much time was left. The vocals annoyed me, and the backing tracks weren't interesting enough to make up for it. Whatever they were going for her, I just couldn't vibe with it.
I listened to this A LOT in 2004 (probably tied with Madvillainy for number of listens) so I have lots of fond memories of it. There was also a live set I found on the CBC website from this time period that I loved as well. I remember the crowd was trying to get them to play Mr Grieves and they wouldn’t. They also did a version of Wear You Out that I listened to over and over. Unfortunately, this is where they kinda peaked for me personally. I never got into the stuff that came afterwards as much as this.
Bit of a dirge
Nobody needed to hear this before they die. Staring at the sun was at least barely listenable. The rest was garbage. Once again, post-punk proves to be the garbage genre that it is.
An odd album... Kinda on the fence about this one. It started out interesting, but it was kinda of a lot of the same thing, I felt, so, I lost interest in it.
Not really for me
Not bad, a creative music mix & vocals.
A bit funky and felt unruly; in a good and bad way. There were some fun songs on this album, but more times than not, I was questioning what I was hearing. Maybe just not my cup of tea, but for someone who likes this genre, they would enjoy it.
I understand and appreciate why this album is included on this list. But it is not my genre. While it was “interesting” I will almost certainly never listen to it again.
Another indie rock..
Merkwürdig
Und schon wieder so toll :) hab zweimal versucht, mich mit der Band zu befassen, aber war schnell wieder abgelenkt, bevor ich hätte reinkommen können. Das Album ist atmosphärisch richtig stark und kreativ - entlässt mich sehr glücklich :)
Hab mich erstmal sehr gefreut, dass die Band hier auftaucht und mich dann gewundert, dass dieses Album ausgewählt wurde. Ein wirklich schräger Genre-Mix und eine außergewöhnliche Band. Aus meiner Erinnerung fand ich die zwei Nacholge-Alben besser, werde ich nochmal verifizieren ;)
Kinda experimental, but they’ve made better things than this. Sometimes experimental stuff just leans too much into boredom, and this was a touch too soft to keep me entertained
Enjoyed this album, but it was a bit hit and miss
I prefer their later work, but this falls into the first album rule of 1001 albums. You can see that they are experimenting with different sounds, but it doesn't quite congeal in all cases.
Similarities to Beck and Radiohead, but definitely in its own experimental space.
Enjoyed it, but a bit inconsistent.
Enjoyed Ambulance but this album was forgettable.
VERY solid stuff. It's a little rough around the edges for me to give it a 5, even though I like quite a bit of it, but that's okay. I already know Dear Science is/will be a 5. Good debut!
Very cool album with a surprisingly unique sound. The jazz elements and the incredibly growly bass tone were highlights of the sound! The a cappella doo-wop type stuff was cool for one song, but its reoccurrence midway through the next song was superfluous, and unfortunately that was enough to throw the rating off from 9/10 to just 8 for me. Still 4 stars, though!
I was annoyed the entire time
These guys have a fascinating and unique sound, but they make you wait way too long to get to it. A lot of these tracks spend 3+ minutes building up to an idea that doesn't always land. You've heard of 'trust the process', well these guys only DO the process. Standouts: Dreams • Poppy
Ehhhh. At times I was really into what this album was doing, but when they started harmonizing a capella like the Beach Boys it really took me out of the album and was hard to get back in. It felt a little confused and scattered.
I like this album. I think Dreams was one of the few TVOTR songs I knew. It's a good track, and so is Staring at the Sun. But with every listen I find myself getting more into other tracks. There's something about the groove and vocals that reminds me of Beck.
I remember feeling like those albums was less accessible than Hello Science. But this didn't strike me as the case revisiting it today. TV on the Radio is one of those bands that sounds like no other: Walk of sound buzzed out guitars, thumping drums, brass horn blares, barbershop quartet backing vocals and a sing who can going from angelic highs to menacing growls midsentence. But, somehow, it all holds together.
Not their best album, but still pretty cool. Standout songs: Staring at the Sun Ambulance Wear you Out
not sure what this is trying to say.
en hel del spännande grejer, coola ljud och dynamik. dock en del mindre bra också. overall verkligen ok.
Jag vibear inte med det här ALLS. Grabben som sjunger falsett borde sluta.
It's competent and everything... I just happened to find it very dull.
A solid debut. Dense art rock is a mood and it took me a couple of starts to make it through.
it was weird but in a good way
Is it the worst of pretentious 2000s hipster indie…maybe not…but just leaves no impression what so ever- just bland goop.
I have never heard of this band before and my initial thoughts with the brass intro were that they sounded like They Might Be Giants, but the rest of the album didn’t. I liked it, it was interesting but did not sound like they were trying too hard to make something so eccentric it was unlistenable. But because my head was full of TMBG and why they are not in the book, and because it went on less interestingly with no highs and lows, I will give three stars.
This shit is honestly so weak, how the fuck did they get two albums on this when so many incredible albums are missing.
Obožavam ovaj album
It was OK, not amazing and not quite as weird as I was expecting based on the reviews! I probably wouldn't pop it on again.
When I was at uni I had a friend (who I’m still friends with) who had a boyfriend who loved TV on the Radio, but he was really snobby about music and pooh-poohed my taste as being too ‘mainstream’ and that if I truly loved music then I should know more about the ‘local scene’. As a result of those conversations I refused to listen to TV on the Radio - until now, about 20 years latter. I don’t think of myself as someone who holds grudges, but possibly this is an exception, or maybe I holds lots of grudges and posses little self insight? The album seems like something that music snobs would enjoy being edgelords about. I didn’t really love it, so I guess you were right Patrick, I guess I’m not cool like you.
Really, really good. Very varied sound on the album. Really adventurous music styles and great songwriting. Would definitely recommend.
Not as aggressive as I expected but a good listen and one that I’ll revisit
not bad but not for me
Not my cup of tea. Very emo and a bit dark. I can see the talent but don’t enjoy listening to it.
nice slow down tempo art rock, feel like I am an alt-student in a high school of 2009 with my brand new Marshalls or smth. nice to listen in the evening.
Exactly my cup of tea. Dark Bon Iver with more improvisational elements. Not surprised Bowie was a fan.
Diverse and tremendous sound, but I feel just a touch let down by their acapella efforts, not the cleanest vocally.
I hated this album. Talented musicians and what they're choosing to do with it sucks. Also, they rhymed Sun with... Sun. Awful.
i don't really have much to say. it's not my type of music but isn't the point of this project is to diversify my taste and musical knowledge? :) i appreciate it still.
This is a pretty fascinating album. I suppose I'd call it post-punk, but it covers a lot of genres... Some jazz, some doo-wop, some noise rock... Honestly don't think there's much, if anything, that sounds quite like this. Definitely more of a vibes album than a song album (Staring At the Sun being a strong exception). It's definitely at least a 4, not sure if it's a 5 for me though. Leaning harsh today 🤷
Some interesting song ideas. Really enjoyed ambulance. Most of the songs felt like they went nowhere. Way too many GarageBand-type loops and high/low double tracked vocals. Interesting at times but not inspiring.
A band I knew of but didn't listen to much, as they din't grab me right away. Listening to this I'm reminded of the early aughts. It's fine, nothing stands out for me. I don't fully get the hype but I can see why people like them.
Meh. Okay and kind of fun at times, annoying at others.
Like a folksy Franz Ferdinand. Interesting, but not too standout-y. 3.5 stars.
Not what I was expecting, okay chill music
A slow burn but definitely a quality album.
Interesting innovative music which I enjoyed for 2 or 3 tracks but a whole album was a bit of a stretch!
Listened to this one a lot back in the day.
Bit to whiney for my money
This album fascinated me, I dont know how to describe. It caught me off guard, and took me in from the beginning. Very cool 5/5
I would give it a 3.75. I love tv on the radio.
I found this a bit boring, to be honest. Reminded me of late night TV informercials. This is not what I want to see on the radio.
Noise. Nothing more than a group of theater kids using their parents money to liver the nouveau-bohemian hipster life in Williamsburg. 3/5
This one stretches out quite a bit, I think this one could be leaner. I like TVOTR, especially their high energy stuff, the layered vocals are so cool. Closer to a 3.5
This album has highs and lows. I remember purchasing this album randomly when it dropped. “The Wrong Way” was a terrible opening track. I personally feel “Staring at the sun” or “Dreams” would have been better choices. Was going to give 2 stars but for the nostalgia I’ll give it 3.
should listen to more of them
Loved this, will be exploring more of their catalogue
Meh
19/10/2025 Dunno what this is about, it's a mix of flavours and not really for me. Soz Spotify listeners: 1.6 million
Love this band
Bassy and vocal heavy. Has very deep sound that feels really influential of early American jazz and more post-punk era sound. Really unique.
Not sold.
A stunning debut that feels both alien and intimate, Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes announced TV on the Radio as one of the most imaginative bands of the 2000s. The album hums with static and soul: a mix of art rock, gospel harmonies, and fuzzy electronica that shouldn’t work together but somehow does. “Staring at the Sun” hits like a signal through interference, shimmering with longing and defiance. “Dreams” expands that energy into something almost cinematic, like it is all pulse and atmosphere. Even the quieter moments, like “Blind”, feel dense with emotion and experimentation. There’s a rough magic to this album, a sense of artists unafraid to collide beauty with noise, melody with abstraction. It’s messy, hypnotic, and full of heart - the sound of a band inventing their own frequency.
4/10
Not gunna lie, the acapella goes hard on this album
Havde en mere eksperimentel, jazzet og elektronisk tilgang til rock i starten af 00'erne. Mere art rock med afsæt i soul og gospel. Det skilte sig lidt ud fra resten af de store i 00'erne som the white stripes og the strokes osv. Synes det er godt, men jeg kan også godt lide alt der bliver lidt mere kunstnerisk og jazzet. jeg synes stadigvæk ikke at det var sådan synderligt gennemtrængende, det var rigtig godt, men det var ikke sådan jeg var efterladt med følelsen af at jeg bare måtte høre det igen.
I've run out of things to say about albums like this. The vocals are dreadful, the rest is medicore, who hears this and think its MUST be included on a list like this?
норм, но бенгеров не обнаружено..
Pretty ok
I've met a couple of these guys at Union Pool in Brooklyn a few times. Really nice guys.wush I liked their music. But I don't. D'Angelo died today. I'm gonna listen to Brown Sugar now.
I knew and liked the song Staring At The Sun but I don't know how. The songs that had more straightforward vocals were fine, the ones with the ... experimental ... vocals were hard to listen to. 2.5
some standout moments, but literally put me to sleep twice
||I think when it was just like low fi whining I was very meh, when it transitioned to like experimental vocal harmonies and arrangements I got very on board||
this was engineered in a laboratory specifically to annoy me
Rv
Couple songs were ok but the singer’s voice was shrill and could not stand it through most songs.
Kinda a fun listen. Took a little bit to get into the swing of things. But after a few songs I found myself singing them. Probably wouldn't listen again though
I got Joy Division’s debut album earlier this week, and I can see some attempt at a similar style in this. But whilst that was obviously catchy as heck, this is just a bit boring. Perhaps if I spent longer with it I might like it more. But I just couldn’t get into it.
I can appreciate this. It's got this experimental side, just starting off with the dirty guitars and an assortment of winds. What. I'm happy I've been introduced. This reminds me a lot of the Omar Rodriguez Lopez Group, but what I appreciate about the ORLG experience is the vocalists are chosen based on how their voices carry with the music, and I don't always love the way these vocals work with this sound. Maybe I'll get around it with time, because I love a lot of bands with vocalists that don't mesh with me, and I'm definitely gonna be listening to this again. 3.8/5
Fav: Wear You Out Least Fav: Ambulance That Ambulance song is one of the worst song I’ve heard this decade
Extremely experimental / random.
Pretty much every song is just annoying mumbling. 1,5/5
Went through waves of liking it and then waiting for the album to be over. The horns on the opening song and Ambulance were highlights on the first listen. Second half of the album faded for me, felt a little too loose and sounding like a rehearsal at times.
This is another band that is loved by people whose music taste I respect, but I just never tried them out. This album was really good, enjoyed the experimental nature of it and was surprised that it was from 2004. Will def check out more
I wanted to like this. Some of the heavy synth bass and long synth notes (like on King Eternal or Wear You Out) appealed to my 80s sensibilities. But often, it would fall too far into its own quirkiness (Ambulance!?) After struggling with the first two tracks, I thought perhaps Dreams would be the track to hook me in, but that octave-higher backing vocal made me giggle, and continued to annoy me throughout. I think they probably like a lot of the same bands as me - Bowie, too, at a guess. It was definitely interesting; it reminded me somewhat of Alt-J at times. I think they needed a proper drummer instead of the machine, and definitely needed to lose the hugely irritating falsetto backing vocal. Hmmm. Can't quite decide whether I should reward its bravery with a third star.
Alternative… as in an alternative to real musical talent. And by the way… dumb album name pairs well with dumb band name. But they get 2 stars… cuz 1 star is hate, and I don’t feel it today.
Meh
This is exciting music. Unfortunately, their live performance in Berlin this year was really bad.