[rating=4.00]
What is really considered art rock? If music is one of the most physical art forms, and rock is a subgenre of the broad spectrum of music, then is a label such as art rock somewhat restrictive? Is art rock a subliminal reference to musicians that have been progressively more independently creative than the standard? With the expectation set high, few can compete in this evolving and re-inventive type of environment, but now, in the fifth chapter of their tenured career, TV On the Radio explores new sounding wavelengths with their latest album, Nine Types of Light. Two and a half years removed from Dear Science, TVOTR has returned from their “indefinite hiatus” with a record that is thematic of love and the mind/body universal connection.
“Second Song,” the actual opening track on the album, is an uplifting piece that shifts through different phases of energy during the song and closes with a horn/sax combo. The insertion of string sections on the album showcases the blend between programming and orchestration within layers of complexity. An off tempo circling dance rhythm opens on “No Future Shock,” a song that builds momentum as it bursts into a heightened peak chorus. Each verse introduces new sounds that define an altered state of the song but the music is pulled together at the climax. A deep distorted bass line drives “New Cannonball Blues,” a song that features Tunde Adebimpe’s high pitched harmonized vocals overlaid on top of triumphant horns and compressed drum textures.
The lyrics on “Repetition” are equally as intriguing as the production of the piece, as Adebimpe sings “What’s the matter with your next door neighbor?/I heard he had sex, drugs and danger.” In a sharp transition, the song opens into a celestial spoken word break, before closing out aggressively. “It might be impractical to seek out a new romance,” sings Adebimpe in the opening of “Will Do,” a song which further describes the theme of love, something that peacefully reflects itself throughout the entire record.
Nine Types of Light is a diverse album that takes you on an emotional journey where the quest towards the ever-elusive light represents the path you take. The fascination exists in the complexity of all the elements that go into making the foundation of each song meaningful, and you find yourself discovering new layers with each listen.
