While TV on the Radio's latest, Dear Science, is shaping up to be an important album, under no circumstances is it an Important Album. You won't have to wade through walls of ambient swamp noises, explore unpleasant attempts to "deconstruct pop" or suffer through 10-minute noodlefests to get at the good parts of Dear Science. Instead, the album is one long good part, and isn't that the way it should be?
In fact, it's difficult to imagine a rock fan who wouldn't enjoy Dear Science. "Dancing Choose" lives up to its name and all but begs you to shake your moneymaker, "DLZ" plays with hip-hop-influenced rhythm and flow while remaining a smooth, sexy rock song and "Family Tree" is an immaculate lighter-waver. Hell, "Love Dog" could be the best, quirkiest song the Red Hot Chili Peppers never made. What keeps the album from being a mismatched collection of clichés is Dave Sitek's renowned production, which makes everything sound fresh while retaining a comforting sense of familiarity that staves off weirdness-for-weirdness's-sake.
Art-rock that perfectly balances art and rock, Dear Science will sound good everywhere you play it: at your protest, in your car, by your Beirut table and next to your bed. Have fun deciding where it fits in.
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