Album Details

• Artist: Tv On The Radio
• Album: Nine Types Of Light
• Label: Interscope
• Year of Release: 2011
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: tosnob on 2011-04-21

Media

If there were ever an instance of TVOTR going through the motion however, this would be it. That said, TVOTR going through the motions is better than most bands on their best days.

The album kicks off with "Second Song", a pleasant number with the typical TVOTR high pitched vocals and horns flourish. The reflective "Killer Crane" sounds like much of the band's more introspective work.

In the past the band has had the occasional meandering song. When that's happened though, they have still held some element of interest, whether that be a unique melody or swirling loop. In this case though, songs like "Keep Your Heart" are plodding without the intrigue. Similarly, one expect "New Cannonball Blues" to careen through the speakers. Instead it feels forced upon you.

There are some stronger tracks. "No Future Shock" features a solid groove. "Repetition" smolders, while the fits and start rock of "Caffeinated Consciousness" is the hardest rocking song on the record. There's no hit or or number destined to be amongst the band's best, but the infectious "Will Do" comes the closest.

Nine Types Of Light is far from TV On The Radio's most seminal work. Maybe they were distracted by the plethora of outside projects they have been working on.

User Reviews and Comments

Review:

on 2011-06-29 RutherfordMarsh Said:

It's significant that TV on the Radio open Nine Types of Light, a ten track album, with a song called "Second Song." By exposing themsevles first and foremost with a joke the band lets us know that this is a fun album, not the art-rock powerhouse some fans may have been expecting. And fun really is the most honest word I can think of here- these are all pop songs, with varying degrees of depth but consistently catchy. Love has always been a chief focus for TVOTR, but on Nine Types of Light the edge has been removed- the ballads and love songs aren't gritty or sad anymore, but soft and blooming ("Keep Your Heart," "You," "Will Do"). This was hinted at on their fantastic previous album, Dear Science, but whereas that album maintained a pulsing anxiety, even the "protest songs" here are somewhat flat and vague. "No Future Shock" is loud, but not really aggressive or passionate, and album closer "Caffeinated Consciousness," shitfing between some kind of Pixies-esque fist-pumper and crooning elegy, falls just short of the climax it strives for. However, the album is by no means a failure- it sets out to be a bright, mostly happy collection of songs, and it succeeds. And even if you were hoping for something with a little more depth, the album is worth hearing for the production alone, which glimmers with care and subtlety. 7/10
Rating: 7/10

on 2011-03-30 dscanland Said:

Pre-purchased this album and got the track "Will Do". Really great song. Check out the blog for the video.
Not Rated