TV on the Radio -- Seeds

7/10

TV on the Radio's 2014-released Seeds may end up being the band's final album. They've followed it with six years of silence. Recorded after the untimely death of the band's pianist/bassist, Gerard Butler, Seeds sees TV on the Radio headed farther down a more standard musical road. By standard, I mean that the band used to showcase moments of acapella vocals by Tunde Adebimpe and Kyp Malone, fuzzed out, delayed guitar, layers of horns, and unique rhythms, and now they just sound like a decent pop-rock band. The difference between the hunger of the band's debut album in 2004, and the relaxed satisfaction of Seeds is stark. The band have eliminated many of the things that set them apart, perhaps tired of their old side, perhaps just wanting to see how things would sound if they cut out the idiosyncracies. Whatever the case, this is a far less daring and exciting version of the band, and Seeds is only saved from averageness by ending with two of TV on the Radio's career best songs, the inspiring, uplifting "Trouble," and the stunning title track, which brings back the band's full sound in a magnificent way. Another standout is the fun, early in the album single, "Happy Idiot." Also, the video's got Amy Pond and PeeWee Herman.

Overall, I find that I'm a big fan of this band's first three albums. The last two sound like guys sliding into domestic life. The biggest bummer for me is that, having seen TV On the Radio live (in '06, perhaps when they were at their creative peak), they've got a drummer who can tear his kit to pieces, yet they often rely on programming for their albums. I don't get it. The real drums bring so much more energy. Even when the drums sound real, it feels like he is just being forced to play a simple pattern, and not allowed fills. If the band ever makes a comeback album LET THE DRUMMER PLAY!!! He's awesome!

2014 Harvest
1. Quartz 3:58
2. Careful You 5:12
3. Could You 4:01
4. Happy Idiot 3:03
5. Test Pilot 4:41
6. Love Stained 4:20
7. Ride 6:29
8. Right Now 4:23
9. Winter 3:41
10. Lazerray 3:37
11. Trouble 4:34
12. Seeds 4:44