Dear Science,
by TV on the Radio
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 285 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 252 out of 285
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 285
  3. Negative: 14 out of 285

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  1. exe.
    May 14, 2009
    10
    I can't stop listening to this amazing collection of songs. Hearing most of this album performed live certainly helped me to appreciate the music more as a living breathing thing, where as a lot of songs from Return To Cookie Mountain (an album I find to be without flaw) were not as satisfying on stage. Anyway, it's not it's predecessor, without a doubt, but I'm into I can't stop listening to this amazing collection of songs. Hearing most of this album performed live certainly helped me to appreciate the music more as a living breathing thing, where as a lot of songs from Return To Cookie Mountain (an album I find to be without flaw) were not as satisfying on stage. Anyway, it's not it's predecessor, without a doubt, but I'm into TVOTR's journey and see no reason to pick apart one of the few bands I can still get excited about. To each his own.… Collapse
  2. AndyB.
    Oct 10, 2008
    10
    Cookie 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.
  3. BriC
    Oct 15, 2008
    10
    All 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.
  4. WillC.
    Sep 22, 2008
    10
    I would vote it a 10.1 if I could.
  5. HugoT
    Sep 25, 2008
    10
    Seems, 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.
  6. ThunderousOlympian
    Sep 28, 2008
    8
    Mostly 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.
  7. UjnH.
    Sep 30, 2008
    10
    I can't take the CD out of my Car Stereo... it's TOO good.
  8. TobyH
    Oct 4, 2009
    8
    A great album, if a little irritating at times. Bursting with infectiously creative energy, the best tracks are Crying, Red Dress, Love Dog, and the horrendously-aggressive-but-scarily-catchy DLZ. TV On The Radio are much better when they go for excitement over contemplation (with the exception of Family Tree, the slow tracks, Stork & Owl and the overly-long Lover's Day, just dont A great album, if a little irritating at times. Bursting with infectiously creative energy, the best tracks are Crying, Red Dress, Love Dog, and the horrendously-aggressive-but-scarily-catchy DLZ. TV On The Radio are much better when they go for excitement over contemplation (with the exception of Family Tree, the slow tracks, Stork & Owl and the overly-long Lover's Day, just dont work for me). Anyway, well worth getting, mostly brilliant! Guaranteed to cheer you up!… Expand
  9. Ollie
    Feb 6, 2009
    10
    I 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.
  10. PBowen
    Oct 1, 2008
    9
    Brooklyn rules and these guys are a big reason why.
  11. Mike
    Oct 1, 2008
    10
    Good stuff. Cant wait to see them play live.
  12. MV
    Dec 1, 2008
    9
    At the end of the day, it's all about different tastes. Another reviewer pointed out that TV has moved past the mowtown/industrial and into a sort of Talking Heads/ Bowie sort of vibe. And while some may view this (accurate) description as a negative thing - it couldn't be a more rewarding album to listen to. To say TV on the Radio have 'matured' would be wrong; they At the end of the day, it's all about different tastes. Another reviewer pointed out that TV has moved past the mowtown/industrial and into a sort of Talking Heads/ Bowie sort of vibe. And while some may view this (accurate) description as a negative thing - it couldn't be a more rewarding album to listen to. To say TV on the Radio have 'matured' would be wrong; they have evolved. 'Dear Science' is one of 2008s highlights.… Expand
  13. Will
    Oct 24, 2008
    10
    Surely 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.
  14. SeanP.
    Oct 7, 2008
    10
    Siteh proves once more why he probably did deserve to be number 1 on NME's list.
  15. DarrylM.
    Oct 8, 2008
    10
    "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.
  16. C.O.J.
    Sep 24, 2008
    10
    This record has me giddy. I actually look forward to the drive home now. Consider this a must buy.
  17. Jay
    Sep 25, 2008
    9
    I 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.
  18. Devn
    Sep 26, 2008
    10
    Wonderful. This will be near the very top of my "best albums of the year" list, for sure, as it will be for many others. I've been a big fan of TV on the Radio for years, and I'm not in the least bit put off by the production values or the broadened songwriting on this album. They continue to strike an amazing balance between noise and pop sensibility, and the added polish only Wonderful. This will be near the very top of my "best albums of the year" list, for sure, as it will be for many others. I've been a big fan of TV on the Radio for years, and I'm not in the least bit put off by the production values or the broadened songwriting on this album. They continue to strike an amazing balance between noise and pop sensibility, and the added polish only lends listenability without detracting from that vision. Kudos!… Expand
  19. YanK.
    Sep 27, 2008
    8
    This is David Bowie's best album in decades. I don't know why he started calling himself "TV on the Radio," though.
  20. DanL
    Sep 29, 2008
    10
    I've found it hard to get into past albums from TV on the Radio, but Dear Science just grabbed my attention right from the start. There's much beauty and depth to be uncovered here. "Halfway House" is downright amazing, I love it more each time I hear it. "Crying", "Golden Age" and "DLZ" are a few of my other favorites on the album, but there's really not one stinker to be I've found it hard to get into past albums from TV on the Radio, but Dear Science just grabbed my attention right from the start. There's much beauty and depth to be uncovered here. "Halfway House" is downright amazing, I love it more each time I hear it. "Crying", "Golden Age" and "DLZ" are a few of my other favorites on the album, but there's really not one stinker to be found here. All killer, no filler... best album I've heard all year.… Expand
  21. JonathanA
    Sep 29, 2008
    9
    A 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.
  22. JamesJ.
    Sep 29, 2008
    9
    Really great album, consistently solid throughout. My second favorite of the year thus far, behind Bon Iver
  23. emilywilde
    Jan 9, 2009
    9
    Jay, 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.
  24. GaryC.
    Oct 11, 2008
    9
    Sheer brilliance!
  25. RaphS
    Oct 18, 2008
    8
    Good, 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
  26. MusicMaven
    Oct 2, 2008
    9
    TV 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.
  27. NdukaA.
    Oct 4, 2008
    10
    Just a f****g masterpiece. You want to dance and cry at the same time, but you mostly just sit there and listen, spellbound, mesmerized.
  28. TylerK.
    Oct 4, 2008
    7
    Not 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
  29. ScottF.
    Oct 6, 2008
    9
    Their previous albums were haunting and beautiful. This one adds fun.
  30. OwenL.
    Oct 7, 2008
    10
    Beautifully constructed, this is the best album of the year, and a major step for the most inspired band of the decade. Kudos.
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Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best Album of 2008
13
#13 Most Discussed Album of 2008
45
#45 Most Shared Album of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 40 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 40
  3. Negative: 0 out of 40
  1. PopMatters
    90
    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.
    Read full review
  2. Spin
    90
    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.
    Read full review
  3. The A.V. Club
    91
    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.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »