When the Young Liars EP emerged in 2003, the persona of TV on the Radio were shrouded in mystery.  Left with only album art and the music, I reverted  back to a pre-internet world of imagination and minimalism.  The arrangement and delivery of the music felt like nothing else at the time - twenty minutes of barbershop vocals and fuzz.

Throughout the next two albums, TVOTR made efforts at expanding their musical palette.  While this is the goal of any band, only the great ones turn these efforts into progress instead of diversion.  They never stepped outside of their foundational sound, and still moved forward musically with each new song.

Dear Science rests right in line with the progression of Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes and Return to Cookie Mountain.  The band is at their most mature and contemplative, and have cut away the bed of static from Cookie Mountain.  “Dancing Choose” and “Golden Age” are the singles for obvious reasons, but I think “Halfway Home” and “Stork & Owl” might be my favorite tracks on the record.

TV on the Radio is committed to music, and Dear Science puts their labors and progress on record.  Their catalog should be mandatory listening for any new hype band.

[mp3] TV on the Radio - Golden Age