Tv on the Radio - Nine Types of Light
TV on the Radio are difficult to define and are subsequently often given the generic and all encompassing tag of ‘indie rock’, which in my opinion, is a label which does them no justice. The five-piece band use a rich amalgamation of instruments; loops, vocals, accapella, funk, jazz, blues, pop and rock sounds. Somehow all these elements mesh together, as the songs are bound together by understated, soulful vocals and poetic lyrics.
Their last album, ‘Dear Science’ was a critics favourite, and won copious awards; The Rolling Stone, MTV and The Guardian named it as their album of the year in 2008. However, ‘Nine Types of Light’, out on April 12th has received a more subdued response. It is a mellower album which demonstrates a sound only achievable by bands, such as TV on the Radio who have nothing more to prove or lay forth. It is a quiet binding of all of their albums and EP’s to date, and especially harkens back to their 2004 album, ‘Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes.’ On the band’s website we are told ‘eight things you should know about the ten songs on the new TV on the Radio album’ -The first being that it is a ‘beautiful and lush album that stands apart from the group’s previous work...if their other albums had shades of dystopia and distress, this album is filled with songs about longing and love.’
However, like everything else about the band, their sound is more complex than a brief description will allow. Tunde describes ‘You’, the most inadvertent love song on the album, which bares the lyrics ‘you are the only one I ever loved’ as an indictment of romantic language. He describes it as a ‘terrible thing to say to someone because it’s most likely not true.’ This cynical undertone is present throughout the album, even in the most tender songs.
So what does the album sound like? TV on the Radio’s sound is flexible, and each song is packed with different instruments and alternating vocals between Tunde and Kyp. The band took two years between recording their last album and this one. In this time all five members embarked on their own side projects, and the result is a more accomplished sound, drawn from all these projects.
The album opens powerfully with ‘Second Song.’ Here, Tunde’s lyrics are matched with percussion, drums and sunny synthesized sounds. Gradually the song builds to a compelling crescendo as his voice is layered over more and more instruments. Throughout, his vocals remain strong and steady, at times stripping down to accapella accompanied by a jazzy saxophone backdrop. I found it difficult to progress onto the rest of the album without constantly repeating ‘Second Song‘ over and over again.
Other strong songs on the album include ’Will Do’ which opens as a chiming lullaby before being struck with the band’s signature thick, jazzy and catchy bass. ‘You’ is another strong contender, which carries a strong, catchy beat. Atmospheric and full of wisdom, different sounds contort and twist around the sedate vocals. Then there is ‘Killer Crane’, which is warm, with sweet guitar notes.
I have an obvious bias, as TV on the Radio are a band whom I have followed since 2004, and pretty much loved everything they have released, barr ‘Dear Science‘. Not because I’m being elitist and slamming it for the very reason it was universally popular; but the more relaxed, unfussy songs have always been my favourites. Perhaps for fans of ‘Dear Science’ the more mellow and less politically engaged album will disappoint. However, ’Nine Types of Light’ proves that after releasing four albums and numerous EP’s, TV on the Radio’s sound never gets old or falls into any generic category. The album requires several listens, but it grows stronger each time.
Anna Paul
