TV On The Radio - Nine Types of Light

Brooklyn, New York art/indie rockers TV On The Radio are back with their latest studio effort, Nine Types of Light. The follow up to 2008's critically acclaimed Dear Science finds the group mixing it up a bit with an eclectic blend of R&B influences that meld in together pretty well with the groups indie projected aesthetic that they have displayed in the past.

We kick off the disc with "Second Song" a funky, eclectic indie/R&B hybrid that finds lead vocalist Tunde Adebimpe in his element with his vocals blending in nicely amid the bombast of horns and other assorted instruments finding their way into the song. "Keep Your Heart" is a toned down, mellow affair that shows off the band's soulful side that we've seen previously on some some of their older tracks and also shows off the band's dynamic versatility that has made the group so well known throughout the indie circle. "No Future Shock" is an experimental, advanced track that shows the band is not afraid to think outside of the box with melodies and rhythms that other bands would be afraid to dabble in. "Killer Crane" is a somber, melancholy number that makes you reflect and ponder on everything we've heard so far and you can't help but to stand in awe of the varying degrees of tempos that the band is able to accomplish with seemingly impeccable ease.

The disc's second half begins to take shape with "New Cannonball Blues" a varied, frenetic track that sees Tunde's vocals adding a certain dexterity that can't be matched by any other act out there. Our disc begins to draw to a close with "Forgotten" a low key, experimental track that sees the band continuing to find foreign techniques of expressing themselves through music that has never been thought possible before, but the band manages to make it work extremely well and user accessible as well. My favorite track off the disc is the album's finale "Caffeinated Consciousness" a jazzy, bombastic number that works it in with uptempo rhythms, melodic guitars, and Tempe's intricate vocals allowing the song to flow together cohesively and making the song one of the highlights of a very solid effort put forth by the guys. The band recently was dealt a major blow with the untimely passing of their longtime bassist Gerard Smith, who passed away of lung cancer last month at the age of 34. While the intervening time off has helped somewhat with the grieving process, the band still has an irreplaceable hole with his absence. The band is starting to get back in the swing of things with tour appearances and performances on the late night talk show circuit, but the band will never be able to fully replace and duplicate the talents that Gerard Smith displayed with the group.

All in all, a well executed effort here from TV On The Radio, who continue to bring their own blend of art rock to the table for those who are looking for an escape from the ordinary kind of music that is polluting the airwaves these days.

                                                                                                      Album Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Second Song
2. Keep Your Heart
3. You
4. No Future Shock
5. Killer Crane
6. Will Do
7. New Cannonball Blues
8. Repetition
9. Forgotten
10. Caffeinated Consciousness