When the band released their first single from their forth full length album Nine Types of Light, the longing ballad "Will Do", it should have been clear that maybe this would not be a typical TV on the Radio album. Since they came on to the scene in 2001, the band has been delivering art rock anthems full of funk, doo wop, soul, and jittery punk, but outside of "Family Tree" and "Love Dog" from Dear Science, the band has never shown this much restraint in their songs. The furious riffs and melodies that dominated their previous releases have been replaced with keyboards, strings, synths, and even some banjo, showing a tender side of the band that may not have evident before, especially on songs like "You", "Keep Your Heart", and "Killer Crane", a sunny, soulful number featuring the aforementioned banjo.
Still, this is a TV on the Radio album after all, so their signature styles do pop up over the 10 new tracks. Album opener "Second Song" begins with an almost spoken word verse that is delivered over subtle keys and drums, until the chorus reveals their best use of horns since "The Wrong Way". "Will Do" features an unnerving riff backing Adebimpe's desperate lyrics, and "No Future Shock", which most closely resembles the stand out rock tracks from their previous albums, is a prog rock dance jam led by Malone's howling commands.
TV on the Radio could vary well have stuck with their bombastic arena ready sound for the rest of their career and you would not hear a single complaint out of me, but with Nine Types of Light, the band shows growth and maturity in their ability to take their foot off the peddle and make some the loveliest songs of their career.
~mm
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