User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 285 Ratings
User score distribution:
-
Positive: 252 out of 285
-
Mixed: 19 out of 285
-
Negative: 14 out of 285
Review this album
-
-
Please sign in or create an account before writing a review.
-
-
Submit
-
Check Spelling
- User score
- By date
- Most helpful
-
Oct 9, 2022TV on the Radio's best album Dear Science doesn't get the praise it deserves. TVOTR's sound is just so fun to listen to, but they are hardly ever mentioned nowadays. When I first discovered this album it immediately became one of my favorites.
-
Apr 24, 2018I liked this album at first. Then I loved it. Then I got kind of tired of it. Now I love it more than I ever did before
-
Mar 2, 2018This review contains spoilers, click expand to view.
-
Nov 20, 2012Analytical as any critic may be, dissecting TV on the Radio's lyrics, slobbering over their dedication to unique, eccentric songwriting, they're gonna have to shut their mouths here. "Dear Science" showcases an eccentric TV on the Radio, but also a f**king drop dead sexy, kick-back-and-soak one. My God, this thing is dope.
-
May 15, 2011OMG THIS ALBUM IS GREAT. every song is good. Crying, Stork & Owl, Family tree, and Lovers Day and Golden Age are the highlights of the album. its a near perfect album i loved it. whoever didn't like this album either hate alternative or they don't appreciate music. 9 out of 10 it was genius
-
Dec 21, 2010
-
TobyHOct 4, 2009
-
-
MingVSep 11, 2009In my definition, music is all about to erupt emotions but not to engulf us in thoughts. If the reverse is true then I'll consider this album to be great. What it lacks is any truly emotional tune-ups at any moment. A little bit of dullness and a lot of turgidity, to sum up.
-
-
MichaelMay 28, 2009
-
-
exe.May 14, 2009
-
-
krishansMay 12, 2009Been listening to this for almost 6 moths now. Everyday. Still not bored. Maybe never will be.
-
-
DJDJMay 6, 2009GLC what the heck are you tliking about!!! this is one of the best albums of the last 10 years. OVERCOMPRESSED,CRAPFEST!!! the production shimers and the songs are perfect. If you dont want to listen to this then don't, but I most certainly will be.
-
-
ScottW.Apr 30, 2009One of the best constructed rock albums of the 2000s. TV On The Radio's best so far. Its artsy but still very much good rock. The band has fun with the songs, yet keeps them coming with a experimental freshness that very few bands can pull off.
-
-
RichardR.Feb 28, 2009I especially love the very first track: for me, it's the Beach Boys meet the Mary Chain. Whole album is great, very inventive.
-
-
johneFeb 14, 2009Simply put, Perfection!! I listen to it every day and find something new every time. Intelligent, dynamic, and deep.
-
-
OllieFeb 6, 2009I love this album. Why? Because it sounds like nothing else; its fresh, deep and....blatantly insane-ly freakin' awesome. Theres never a time when i dont play any songs of it when i drive. There never will be a time. Genius.
-
-
EvilEdFeb 6, 2009Another of those bands which are percieved to be cool and so people jump on the band wagon. Like Elbow the songs are ok but not brilliant. You will bore fro this album after a few listens.
-
-
GLCFeb 4, 2009
-
-
SeanPJan 18, 2009
-
-
LexieMJan 13, 2009This album is amazingly fresh, blending the latest musical experiments with tried and true themes. I love it's references to the best of the '80s, and how they invent new musical moments. A real gem.
-
-
DavidRussellJan 13, 2009
-
-
emilywildeJan 9, 2009Jay, give it up you Too-cool-for-school hipster bitch. TV on the Radio's sound has definitely changed but that doesn't mean it isn't any good anymore. Clearly your jeans are too tight and your fauxhawk is affecting your ability to think.
-
-
CliffyBDec 17, 2008
-
-
MVDec 1, 2008
-
-
JeffWNov 26, 2008Great disk. It sounds to me like all the band members got to play to their strengths, making for a very interesting listen. Lots of variety, lots of lively songs. I find myself liking it more with every listen. Highly recommended.
-
-
nickNov 23, 2008
-
-
myrrhmanNov 1, 2008
-
-
JodieLOct 26, 2008
-
-
WillOct 24, 2008Surely destined to be a classic? By far and away the most exciting release of 2008, even if it has been a poor year for music.
-
-
RaphSOct 18, 2008Good, if not great, album but certainly not music-defining, career-defining, genre-defining etc etc too much aping of talking heads, prince and others for it to be the best thing since sliced bread. more like a pitchfork-style 7.8
-
-
MarkS.Oct 16, 2008Accelerate through to the next revolution on some excelllent laser beaming R&R Bohemian blues for our tour through troubled times.
-
-
BriCOct 15, 2008All you have to do is give it a little bit of time to sink in. When it does, the intricate music, addictive drum machines and lyrics THAT ACTUALLY MAKE SENSE will pull you in. Every song fits perfectly, the album soars to a height from the first song and stays there until the very last note of track eleven. Amazing. I love this album.
-
-
GaryC.Oct 11, 2008Sheer brilliance!
-
-
AndyB.Oct 10, 2008Cookie Mountain was an amazing album, but this is not just TVOTR's best work to date, but one of the complete, individual and well written I have heard in years. Best album I have heard all year by a long way. There will always be ratings like that of 'under the radar' but don't let that put you off. And to be honest who reads under the radar anyway.
-
-
bastuOct 8, 2008
-
-
DarrylM.Oct 8, 2008"Dear Science, spends its 50 minutes in flux between several worlds, none of them particularly memorable." -Under The Radar Worst. Review. Ever. Look, I'm not expecting everyone to like this album, but, please, not memorable? The production is too elaborate, the voices too distinct, the structures too unconventional to not make it memorable. In my mind, this is a perfect, memorable album.
-
-
OwenL.Oct 7, 2008Beautifully constructed, this is the best album of the year, and a major step for the most inspired band of the decade. Kudos.
-
-
SeanP.Oct 7, 2008Siteh proves once more why he probably did deserve to be number 1 on NME's list.
-
-
ScottF.Oct 6, 2008Their previous albums were haunting and beautiful. This one adds fun.
-
-
TylerK.Oct 4, 2008Not quite Cookie Mountain, I don't want to say they phoned it in but some of these are very marginal sped up dance rock tunes. They need to return to the soulful ways of the past two. Having said that there are a few good tracks on here, Halfway Home and Family Tree are very moving
-
-
NdukaA.Oct 4, 2008Just a f****g masterpiece. You want to dance and cry at the same time, but you mostly just sit there and listen, spellbound, mesmerized.
-
-
TabOct 4, 2008Occasionally, when he isn't pulling the talk-singing style, his voice breaks into Prince's effeminate falsetto. Dark, electronic music with high production. The message is: "If you don't like this album then you're not worthy of it." And you know what? That just make me want to tell pretentious horseshit like this to fuck off.
-
-
MusicMavenOct 2, 2008TV On The Radio bring their high-concept art-pop down to earth with a welcome infusion of danceable funk. It's both their best and most accessible work yet.
-
-
MikeOct 1, 2008Good stuff. Cant wait to see them play live.
-
-
PBowenOct 1, 2008Brooklyn rules and these guys are a big reason why.
-
-
UjnH.Sep 30, 2008I can't take the CD out of my Car Stereo... it's TOO good.
-
-
PatrickSep 29, 2008I love this CD! TV on the Radio has, in my mind, always produced quality stuff. It's so unique, so unlike everyone else. Dear Science, is great! Experimental, musical genius.
-
-
DerekJ.Sep 29, 2008Ridiculously good. One of my favorites of 2008. Play loud.
-
-
drunkenstepdaddadSep 29, 2008Get out and catch tvotr's live show - expect to have a good time.
-
-
DanLSep 29, 2008
-
-
JoeS.Sep 29, 2008Not bad, but I was disappointment by this new one (especially after all the gushing reviews). It's like they equalized all the peaks and valleys of Return To Cookie Mountain. Nothing that doesn't work like in the last one, but also nothing that soars as high as in the last one either.
-
-
JamesJ.Sep 29, 2008Really great album, consistently solid throughout. My second favorite of the year thus far, behind Bon Iver
-
-
JonathanASep 29, 2008A fine album, impressive as a whole instead of relying on powerful singles though several songs are certainly single-worthy. This is a great example of how you develop and expand your band's style without turning to gimmicks or sacrificing what was good before. I don't think it's perfect, some of the lyrics are just mediocre imo, but the majority of this disc is awesome.
-
-
LamyChopinSep 28, 2008Funk yeah.
-
-
DanD.Sep 28, 2008Amazing! Captures many moods. Some of the remixes are a bit much but with just the originals in mind its the best album I've heard in a long time...
-
-
CurtisH.Sep 28, 2008The best album this year, hands down.
-
-
SamwiseG.Sep 28, 2008TV on the Radio Lite: for people who thought "Wolf Like Me" was the best track on Return to Cookie Mountain. Mediocre at best.
-
-
ThunderousOlympianSep 28, 2008Mostly I found TVOTR's other two records to be somewhat unpleasant to listen to, but Dear Science has forced me to finally jump on the bandwagon.....it's innovative but I also would feel comfortable playing it at a party....it's like The Roots on an acid trip.
-
-
DKSep 28, 2008Best album since In Rainbows. Big step forward from RTCM. And that was a great album. An essential recording, imo.
-
-
BobN.Sep 27, 2008
-
-
Mr.SherwoodSep 27, 2008
-
-
YanK.Sep 27, 2008This is David Bowie's best album in decades. I don't know why he started calling himself "TV on the Radio," though.
-
-
OllieG.Sep 27, 2008Nearly had a seizure about 8 times upon first listen. Incredibel album - dare I say their best work to date? I thinks so!
-
-
ChrisJ.Sep 27, 2008Pure tv for the ears. i like the down-tempo stuff best.
-
-
MatiasSep 27, 2008Most solid album by TVOTR so far. Great stuff.
-
-
DerekSSep 26, 2008Brilliant, and very accessible for a TVOTR album.
-
-
CarlFSep 26, 2008Really great album. Much more accesible than their previous album, but not in a bad way. They have succeeded in following "Return To Cookie Mountain". Key tracks: All of them
-
-
AndrewD.Sep 26, 2008Its not perfect, but its the best album of the year, and i think thats enough to warrant a 10.
-
-
MikeCSep 26, 2008Utterly brilliant
-
-
JohnB.Sep 26, 2008Another kick ass album from TV on the Radio
-
-
DanSep 26, 2008Wow...that's all I can say. It's been years since an album has completely blew me away like this. EASILY the #1 album of the year.
-
-
PabloG.Sep 26, 2008Superlative! new and refresh.
-
-
DevnSep 26, 2008
-
-
AlexL.Sep 26, 2008Incredible. TV on the Radio went above and beyond on this album. I didn't really enjoy it through the first listen... but it's one of those albums you'll have seeping into your brain and be dying to get out of work so you can listen to its smooth melodies. I'm hooked.
-
-
JonasM.Sep 25, 2008
-
-
ErichF.Sep 25, 2008This album should reinstill your faith in not only the music industry and life in general. If it does not you are soulless. TVOTR proves genius in their ability to seamlessly meld intellectually driven art rock with pop sensibility. Their Musicianship shines in EVERY track. Only good things will come of this band.
-
-
JamesF.Sep 25, 2008Far and away the best album of 2008. Puts everything else to shame. "DLZ" is absolutely sublime.
-
-
DavidSep 25, 2008Yes yes. This is great on the very first listen, im loving it-
-
-
MarcosV.Sep 25, 2008Hands down, the best of the year. I don't need to listen to any other record. The waiting for this album worth a lot.
-
-
FrancescoP.Sep 25, 2008Solid album, different that RTQM with an overall slower, mellower pace with a few fast and frantic tracks. Less noise and the multivocal choruses are absent(shamefully) instead we found cleaner guitars, but still a great great album. One of the best albums of the year so far next to Bon Iver.
-
-
MattJSep 25, 2008Simply awesome, though theres nothing simple about the music. May take some a few listens. If your not impressed by this initially, give it a couple of go's. There a lot to take in the first couple of listens.
-
-
JaySep 25, 2008I agree with Alex's comments. Red Dress annoys me too, but I respect it, if that makes sense. The rest of the album is brilliant. Stand outs include Golden Age, Crying, Halfway Home, Shout Me Out, the Stork and Owl, and my personal favorite Family Tree is absolutely beautiful.
-
-
MichaelJSep 25, 2008It's alright, their most accessible yet least rewarding album. Consider me half-off the bandwagon.
-
-
TVRadioSep 25, 2008Simply amazing. Every Track is spot on. This is how MGMT would sound like if they had some groove. the combination of rock, pop and electro never sounded better. A must have for the open minded.
-
-
DavidD.Sep 25, 2008Many layers of beauty and ideas with little sparks of references to other great music - after listening you feel like its not just an album you heard but a great weekend show you experienced with masses of humanity .
-
-
HugoTSep 25, 2008Seems, we're now listenign to something else entirely. For this New year the NEW TV on The Radio are like a New Batman in music. Komplex, great, thrilling and probably this years finest.
-
-
LawrencePSep 24, 2008It's pop music with soul and brains!
-
-
JamesS.Sep 24, 2008This is a truly excellent album, it fully holds up beneath of the weight of the expectations that Return to Cookie Mountain had laid out. TVotR continue their streak of stellar first tracks with the gorgeous Halfway Home, and follow up with a string of high points, particularly Red Dress and DLZ. Just beautiful all the way around.
-
-
[Anonymous]Sep 24, 2008Fun and awesome. Ive found more to enjoy here than on Return to Cookie Mtn.
-
-
DavidMSep 24, 2008
-
-
JBonesSep 24, 2008Just when I thought they could not top Return To Cookie Mountain, they do it with ease.
-
-
gSep 24, 2008At a first listening it is their easier album..but also the most impressive.
-
-
VitoV.Sep 24, 2008As of now, the best record of this year.
-
-
DonnieB.Sep 24, 2008Very solid album, each song reveals new layers each time you listen. Better every time through.
-
-
EdwardS.Sep 24, 2008An absolute gem. The growth,creativity and Intelligence of TV on the Radio is a refreshing breath of air. Album of the year.
-
-
AlexSep 24, 2008Oh Finally something worth talking about this year...Great Album probably the best this year the only bad thing about this album is "Red Dress" (It doesn't fit in this album it just annoys me whenever it comes on) But everything else is awesome.
-
-
NoahK.Sep 24, 2008Brilliant. Even better than Return to Cookie Mountain. I simply don't understand how anyone can give this anything less than a 9.
-
-
C.O.J.Sep 24, 2008This record has me giddy. I actually look forward to the drive home now. Consider this a must buy.
-
-
MarkSep 23, 2008This thing is amazing. hands down my favorite album of the year.
-
-
WesM.Sep 23, 2008Disarmingly accessible, Dear Science is 11 great songs with 5 relatively uneven (but still really good) bonus tracks. Highly recommended!
-
Awards & Rankings
-
There’s a sense of purpose here, of direction and clarity, shafts of accessibility that relegate the din to the background without ever compromising the potentially hostile underbelly of the band’s core sound.
-
Throughout Dear Science, TV on the Radio--which includes the rhythm section of bassist Gerard Smith and drummer Jaleel Bunton--flesh out Adebimpe's and Malone's ruminations with relentlessly inventive arrangements that make even familiar sentiments seem fresh.
-
On Dear Science, TVOTR finds a more traditional consistency, transmuting that dirty experimentalism into a lush cleanliness that eases--rather than hurls--its songs into the art-making ether.