Dear Science – TV on the Radio ★★★★

Year	Album	Artist	Stars	Score	Genre
2008	Dear Science	TV on the Radio	★★★★	84	Rock	Alternative Rock	Indie Rock

While 2006’s Return to Cookie Mountain is TV on the Radio’s biggest critical success and the peak of their creative vision, their follow up record in 2008 is usually my go-to when I’m listening to the band. 

Compared to the sinister vibes and layered distortion that make Cookie Mountain captivating, Dear Science has more variety in tone and style. Songs are more traditionally built, sure, but feel warmer and a bit more alive, while still having some emotional, artsy moments.  

“Halfway Home” is an energetic rock opener with pounding drums that builds to an epic, wall of a chorus that resolves into a headbanging outro and guitar solo. “Shout Me Out” starts slow with electronic glitches, but really gets going with some fierce guitar parts and drum runs. 

Quick, dancy rhythms, funky guitar riffs and soulful vocals are frequently alongside horns and synths on “Crying,” “Dancing Choose,”  “Golden Age” and “Red Dress.” 

Indietronica accents like strings, programed beats and pianos and featured heavily on the slow, soft tracks including “Stork & Owl,” “Family Tree” —  which sounds very similar to Coldplay’s hit single “Viva La Vida,” released only a few month prior — and “Love Dog,” a tender, contemplative lullaby that works as an emotional and musical counter to the band’s hit “Wolf Like Me.” 

“DLZ” is a lone cold moment on the record, and a clear highlight. TV on the Radio gets us closer to the band’s earlier sound, with eerie backing vocals, trip hop-style drums and pointed, almost rapped vocals.  

The album concludes with “Lover Day,” a triumphant march that represents the culmination of everything before it and ties a nice bow on the record.