TV On The Radio

Plug in your nicest set of headphones for this one"”you will need them to fully appreciate the deep, layered audio of the newest from TV on the Radio, a group of five Brooklynites who have so far impressed the toughest of critics with their newest album Return to Cookie Mountain. Hot off the press (Sept. 12), Return to Cookie Mountain may be the most original and interesting rock album you’ll hear all year. The music sounds like a mixture of Bowie (who guest-sings on the soulful pop track “Province”), the Talking Heads, and Prince"”but those influences are all uniquely wrapped up in the weaving vocals of lead singer Tunde Adebimpe (who has one of the most striking voices in indie rock) and deep-voiced back-up Kyp Malone. After their 2004 debut Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes was criticized by some for being more of an audio art project than a rock album, Return to Cookie Mountain is destined to hoist the group to indie rock notoriety. The first track on the album “I Was a Lover” lets you know right away that Return to Cookie Mountain is an album unlike any other"”chaotic, yet syncopated. “Hours” utilizes a wide-open beat and vocals to transition smoothly from “I Was a Lover.” The rock and roll swagger that every listener craves appears fiercely in “Wolf Like Me,” which is the true center of gravity of the album. Oh, did I mention that TV on the Radio is leading a Renaissance of black musicians in the traditionally white world of indie rock? They appear eclectic"”their music is eclectic"”and they are adding something exciting to the indie rock genre. TV On The Radio will also be appearing at ACL this weekend, stay tuned for special coverage!