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Dear masses: Get ready

tv on the radio broadcast to population with stellar new disc

Indie rock was never about getting the chance to play in front of millions. It’s about the moment, the people, the art.
However, every so often, a band gets the chance to break through and inspire the masses with its unique sound. TV On The Radio just so happens to be one of these lucky bands that have managed to slip through the cracks and into the airwaves.
With its 2006 major debut release “Return To Cookie Mountain,” TV managed to captivate critics and show us it was possible for just another scene band from Brooklyn to rise into the periphery of the everyday listener.
Proving to be more than just a cliche on the knobs of radios, TV has a sound all its own, enthralling its listeners to ask for more.
Recently, the now-cult following was given a chance to be mesmerized again.
“Dear Science” boasts a brilliant medium between an experimental mixture of vocals and instrumentals along with the seemingly underground tones that accompany typical scenester bands.
A bit more upbeat than its precursor, “Dear Science” truly defines what TV is all about.
With melodic tunes such as “Crying” and “Poppy,” TV proves you don’t have to wear thick-rimmed glasses or sweater vests to enjoy the band’s music. All you need is a thirst for something different and an open mind for all TV has to offer.
Along with the more upbeat tunes comes the darker side of TV,  one which grew on you in “Return To Cookie Mountain.” That album established the band as a powerhouse that couldn’t be denied praise.
“Golden Age” is a golden example. With an underlying melody that sheds light into the past, the song guides attention to a mixture of deep Rasta and experimental rhythms accented with a pulsating synthesizer.
Much like “Golden Age,” “Family Tree” also offers a grab bag of genres. Strong vocals along with an accompanying string section make this song the album’s strongest.
However, despite the critics’ praise and the adoration of fans, TV isn’t exactly what a radio station would call commercial by any means.
This art-rock band has broken into the world of sellout crowds and gold records, but it isn’t something that could compete with your everyday pop-rock on the nightly top-10 countdowns.
Most people seen in their audiences probably don’t even listen to the radio. Lack of airtime (on the typical radio that is) isn’t going to hurt TV’s chance of continuing its success and gathering more fans.
With a band such as TV On The Radio, one must think the members are taking a chance by pursuing their dreams with such an eclectic mixture of genres bottled into one sound. However, it’s apparent in the latest release the band isn’t going to make any drastic changes anytime soon. The band has stuck to what it’s been doing since day one, and there has been little disappointment expressed.
Even if you know you won’t like this album, just listen to it even if it’s only once, because TV On The Radio deserves recognition for going out on a limb to try something new and doing it brilliantly.
 

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