Return To Cookie Mountain
by TV on the Radio
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 247 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 198 out of 247
  2. Mixed: 28 out of 247
  3. Negative: 21 out of 247

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  1. sr
    Nov 22, 2006
    8
    wow. i don't know why i like this album bbut something about the mood it sets is incredible
  2. JasonH
    Dec 17, 2006
    8
    Beautiful. Melodic. Startling. And a bit on the dark side. Haven't heard anything else like it this year.
  3. TonyF
    Jul 13, 2006
    8
    not as good as their previous stuff, but great none the less. I recommend the first lp over this if you haven't heard them yet.
  4. SuperDonkey
    Aug 11, 2006
    8
    Hoped for more. Still an exciting listen. I think I like Desperate Youth a lil more. Cant wait to see them shine on live.
  5. DiabloP
    Dec 25, 2006
    8
    This album is very good - it is almost perfect. It is one of those albums you should listen to before you buy it. I loved it ,but it might not be everyone's cup of tea. I provides a different sound than the mainstream rock on the radio. That in itself might be a reason to purchase it.
  6. lovemusic
    May 15, 2011
    8
    it was okay and good at the same time...................................................................................... they had some outstanding songs on here. Dear Science was an upgrade.
  7. J
    Jan 10, 2007
    7
    Good album, but not quite great. This is a grower for TV on the Radio. The lyrics really need work. Some of the songs (Dirtywhirl, A Method) are not very good at all, while others (I Was a Lover, Tonight) are pure brilliance. It's hard to tell where this band will go from here. They could end up like Radiohead and be truly great, or they could be the next Blur.
  8. JW
    Oct 25, 2006
    7
    Slightly overrated. Overall a good effort. Some songs just don't gel, but seem to have good intentions. The album never quite gets to the point of musical genius that the critics will have you think.
  9. KrisS
    Jul 12, 2006
    7
    I hate when I fall in love with bands after they have only 1 album, a few songs and are underrated in the music community (how I felt after Young Liars). They had a new sound with Young Liars, but have yet to take a step further with it. With that said, this is a good album, and whether or not you're a fan, you'll enjoy it. Although, like most who've been on board since the I hate when I fall in love with bands after they have only 1 album, a few songs and are underrated in the music community (how I felt after Young Liars). They had a new sound with Young Liars, but have yet to take a step further with it. With that said, this is a good album, and whether or not you're a fan, you'll enjoy it. Although, like most who've been on board since the beginning, we still want and expect more.… Expand
  10. paul
    Nov 3, 2006
    7
    there are two sides to this record. i really appreciate the artfulness involved in making this record - it truly does sound unique. and, there are a few tracks that absolutely blow me away - "wolf like me" being the clear standout. but, with that being said, this album isn't something i crave. sure, it's worth hearing but i don't think it deserves album of the year there are two sides to this record. i really appreciate the artfulness involved in making this record - it truly does sound unique. and, there are a few tracks that absolutely blow me away - "wolf like me" being the clear standout. but, with that being said, this album isn't something i crave. sure, it's worth hearing but i don't think it deserves album of the year alcolades. finally, i have to add that my opinion is slightly tainted because i saw them about a month or so ago in boulder and was completely underwhelmed. this is coming from someone who saw them right after their first EP and thought they were spellbinding. i think they have potential, but i think this album is overhyped and overrated.… Expand
  11. DougS
    Dec 16, 2006
    7
    Perhaps I'm at a point in my life where "difficult" as a modifier for music no longer holds as much appeal, but I'm not feeling this one. Perhaps this album will have a similar effect on me as Wolf Parade last year, which I came to embrace slowly. But this sounds like a bad implosion of Prince, Radiohead and Sonic Youth. Great atmospherics, but the vocals are cloying at best. Perhaps I'm at a point in my life where "difficult" as a modifier for music no longer holds as much appeal, but I'm not feeling this one. Perhaps this album will have a similar effect on me as Wolf Parade last year, which I came to embrace slowly. But this sounds like a bad implosion of Prince, Radiohead and Sonic Youth. Great atmospherics, but the vocals are cloying at best. Certainly credit must be given for venturing further out of the mainstream than most "alternative" rock! I just don't happen to like it a whole lot.… Expand
  12. Joris
    Oct 14, 2006
    6
    Tonight, Wolf Like Me, Province, I Was A Lover and Blues From Down here are the higlights but besides the above mentioned it gets quite boring... Good band but slightly overrated... Bowie didn't only get impressed by TV On The Radio but also by the lastest release of THE SECRET MACHINES (Ten Silver Drops), which is in my opinion far more superior -you should ckeck them out!
  13. GuyH
    Sep 25, 2006
    6
    A mix of the good, the bad and the downright ugly. The Bowie track Province is good, as are the understated Tonight, strong opener I Was A Lover and moody A Method. Too many of the remaining tracks are shambolic and sprawling, with repetitive vocals. Worse still, Let the Devil In almost unspeakably lame and sits slap bang in the middle of the record...
  14. AnthonyC
    Dec 27, 2006
    6
    TV On The Radio has promise, since their sound is so unique. However, they have some big weaknesses which drag down the CD. The vocals, with someone singing low and the other singing falsetto, sometimes sound muddy and indistinct. If they had more confidence in their lyrics or melody, they wouldn't do that. Sometimes their songs are tuneless, and considering their demographics, are TV On The Radio has promise, since their sound is so unique. However, they have some big weaknesses which drag down the CD. The vocals, with someone singing low and the other singing falsetto, sometimes sound muddy and indistinct. If they had more confidence in their lyrics or melody, they wouldn't do that. Sometimes their songs are tuneless, and considering their demographics, are often very un-funky. They have promise, but Cookie Mountain is hopefully not their peak.… Expand
  15. RobC
    Dec 4, 2006
    6
    C'mon, they're good but... one of the 2006 bests?.
  16. GregC
    Jul 7, 2006
    6
    Decent record at best. On par with "Desperate Youth..." but i still find "Young Liars" to be their best. Way too much hype surrounding this release. Bowie doesnt do anything for me here. The New Lows & Bishop Allen...both superior Brooklyn bands.
  17. JBone
    Sep 15, 2006
    6
    It's not awful, but pretty close. The production is pretty bad with the vocals oppressive yet indecipherable at the same time. A few decent tracks in there. I think I like the first one better. But I think I'll just put on Broken Social Scene instead.
  18. umbertop
    Oct 26, 2006
    6
    sonically confused. it gives me headache
  19. TimM
    Sep 26, 2006
    6
    They are original I'll give them that, however, Wolf Like Me and I Was A Lover are the only tracks that stand out. not very flowing, laacking one important thing...music. A 6.7.
  20. ClaraE
    Nov 19, 2006
    6
    They have a long way to go to live up to the praise of these lemming-like critics. I just don't get it - there is something so self-conscious about this music - you can really hear it in the vocal delivery which many times is drenched in affectation, ego, it's almost a pastiche of other singers' styles - if they could just stop TRYING to be cool and let something a bit more They have a long way to go to live up to the praise of these lemming-like critics. I just don't get it - there is something so self-conscious about this music - you can really hear it in the vocal delivery which many times is drenched in affectation, ego, it's almost a pastiche of other singers' styles - if they could just stop TRYING to be cool and let something a bit more pure flow through, they might catch it. And guys, PLEASE lay off all the "ooh-ooh-ooh's" - every other song is just bloody "oooh-oooh-oooh"'s all over the place. it gets boring. I want to like you, I really, really try -I go back to the album every once in a while and after a point I give up - sonically very interesting, and sure, some real standout tracks, but it is still too show-offy, it's not a classic - stopp telling they've made a bloody classic because then they will stop pushing themselves where they need to go - there's so much talent here, just try HARDER.… Expand
  21. ChadM
    Nov 20, 2006
    5
    Very complex stuff. It dosen't have a real groove to it, so I have a hard time getting in the mood to listen to the album. I can recognize that they are talented, and I will assume that the album will grow on me as time goes by. I believe this is similiar to King Crimson albums where I have to listen to them 20+ times to really start to enjoy them.
  22. TBone
    Oct 2, 2006
    5
    Mediocre.
  23. ConsequencesForVillainy
    Aug 16, 2006
    5
    Ah, I dunno. Feel bad about this one, 'cause I praise the virtues of a system like metacritic to most I meet. First track is impressive and driving - like Mars Volta with their amp plugs half-way out of their respective inputs - but the rest of it muddles together. Sounds less important and artistic than what I'm reading about. I can appreciate the risk/reward aspect of their Ah, I dunno. Feel bad about this one, 'cause I praise the virtues of a system like metacritic to most I meet. First track is impressive and driving - like Mars Volta with their amp plugs half-way out of their respective inputs - but the rest of it muddles together. Sounds less important and artistic than what I'm reading about. I can appreciate the risk/reward aspect of their work, but it lacks importance.… Expand
  24. mikes.
    Aug 23, 2006
    5
    an overrated group to begin with and although they have evolved since their previous effort, this is a novelty band. Yes they sound "different," but this album doesn't have the impact of their previous album because their "uniqueness" is not as fresh as the first time we heard them.
  25. denisev
    Sep 21, 2006
    5
    an interesting child impossible to bond with
  26. CrabsodyInBlue
    Sep 30, 2006
    4
    "playhouses" is great but the rest is soooooo much overrated.
  27. Jimmyn
    Oct 6, 2006
    4
    the song about wolves is pretty good (songs about wolves generally are) but one great song, messy production, and a bowie cameo does not a better album than "loveless" make. tv on the radio is the living colour of the 'aughties, not just because they are black, but that doesn't help matters.
  28. WillyM
    Sep 11, 2006
    4
    This album is like taking medicine. Maybe it's good for you in some way, but it tastes yucky. Will join "Clap Your Hands....Yeah" in my "Why did I buy this?" pile. Damn critics.
  29. HolyReality
    Jul 8, 2006
    4
    the most overrated band out there today. the most overrated album of the year by a longshot.
  30. TonyG.
    Dec 27, 2007
    4
    I listened to this album and I thought was awful. It seemed as though it tried too hard to be non-commercial and not a single song stood out as interesting.
  31. DoctorHate!
    Feb 2, 2007
    4
    Wow. My friends listen to some really annoying crap.
  32. VinceF
    Oct 21, 2006
    4
    Have been listening to this album since it came out, in the car, in the shower, to sleep to, while eating, while exercising, while smoking the green demon.... and I keep waiting for it to gel and turn into something musical like most good albums do eventually. But it just hasn't, for me, turned into anything more than a dense mish-mash of semi-good ideas stretched out to ridiculous Have been listening to this album since it came out, in the car, in the shower, to sleep to, while eating, while exercising, while smoking the green demon.... and I keep waiting for it to gel and turn into something musical like most good albums do eventually. But it just hasn't, for me, turned into anything more than a dense mish-mash of semi-good ideas stretched out to ridiculous lengths. The first few songs peak my interest but then it turns boring and indistinguishable in the middle and never recovers. I really really wanted to like this album. I thought the Young Liars EP was incredible, and although I was incredibly disappointed with their debut LP I held out hope for this one. Well, I have listened to this album at least thirty times straight through and it just doesn't do it for me. It's hard to doubt the genuine honesty of these guys in trying to create something new in the pop landscape but they need to spend more time crafting songs than crafting their (awesome) production styles. Sorry TVotR! I'll never stop buying your albums but this one let me down.… Expand
  33. KeithG
    Apr 25, 2012
    4
    I applaud the experiment, but like most such projects, the results are mixed at best. Download "Wolf Like Me", "A Method", and "Dirty Whirl" but don't buy the entire album.
  34. stinkrock
    Sep 14, 2006
    3
    could everybody please stop lying to themselves - please! theres a few tracks on desperate youth that were great. whys bowie on this, it makes the track feel heavy with expectation that never delivers. this band, i swear sound as overproduced as coldplay half the time, everythings so flat and clean . everything is so perfectly in the wrong place its contrived beyond belief. ooh - heres could everybody please stop lying to themselves - please! theres a few tracks on desperate youth that were great. whys bowie on this, it makes the track feel heavy with expectation that never delivers. this band, i swear sound as overproduced as coldplay half the time, everythings so flat and clean . everything is so perfectly in the wrong place its contrived beyond belief. ooh - heres another off-kilter piano note...that must relate to the bush administration, it must. feck off. gimme 'young liars' over this but all in all im taking a seat with this band. its one of those albums you cant make out what theyre saying cause its like a child bellowing about - you dont care cause you know it couldnt be that important if it sounds so dumb. i wouldnt mind but people are really falling for the emperors new clothes on this one. its got some nice percussion and maybe two tracks to possibly remember.… Expand
  35. Chris
    Jul 14, 2006
    3
    Can't get it. The high points are just ok, the lows excruciating. the Bowie backups distracting. EVERY song has the harmonized vocals. Ok, we get it, but do you gotta do it for every song? Gets old!
  36. morgan
    Jan 27, 2007
    3
    What's your favourite TV On The Radio song? Mines the one where the guy sings annoyingly... my favourite part? Where he goes "Ooo, Ooo" over, and over, and over, and over, and over...
  37. ColinR
    Sep 30, 2006
    2
    While it has some interesting ideas and moments, the record generally fails to deliver songs, or melodies, or intelligent lyrics, or any of the things that make a great record (as opposed to a collection of interesting thoughts).
  38. BenRad
    Jul 14, 2006
    2
    I guess I just don't understand the appeal of TV on the Radio. I need a tune, I need a beat that doesn't make me trip over my own feet. Awful.
  39. FredD
    Oct 17, 2006
    2
    This sucks. I'll wait for the next Nickelback album. THEY ROCK!!
  40. BenB.
    Mar 10, 2008
    2
    I don't get it. I don't think I want to understand it. Downloaded it listened to it deleted it. Another Jesus Jones or something of that nature.
  41. specialmike
    Oct 12, 2006
    2
    didn't get it the first time around, didn't get it the second time around, went to see them play a free show in their native planet of Brooklyn and I decided that they weren't over my head, but rather, they were just not good, it was all the ridiculous hype that had confused me...even after realizing how mediocre these guys were, the third round of hype was too much to didn't get it the first time around, didn't get it the second time around, went to see them play a free show in their native planet of Brooklyn and I decided that they weren't over my head, but rather, they were just not good, it was all the ridiculous hype that had confused me...even after realizing how mediocre these guys were, the third round of hype was too much to handle, so I listened to some tracks and was not surprised in the least. Now I can finally rest assured that TVOTR is not one of those bands like modest mouse where one day I will be like, "whoa! that's the shit, i take back everything i said" ...personally, i attribute their success to the guitarist's huge beard, which incidentally does not help him out any when you're hearing them live and his falsetto harmonies sound even worse than they do on the album. Altogethernow, "OOOVER-RRRATED!"… Expand
  42. RichR
    Oct 29, 2006
    2
    I've been hearing nothing but good stuff about these guys and this album, but now that I've heard it... Snore. This record is like seven versions of the same song with a few others thrown in for filler. It's dull, overated, and sexless. Completely D.O.A.
  43. Dave
    Dec 1, 2006
    1
    I just don't get all the praise that this CD keeps getting!! I gave it a "1" because there are a few songs that are worth listening to. Sure, the sound is different, but good? I think not. The vocals are pretty much impossible to uderstand, and the musical arrangement are more grating than anything. I'll take Neko Case or Belle and Sebastian thank you very much.
  44. codered
    Dec 6, 2006
    1
    amateurish and contrived. uncomplicated rock that fails at trying to sound complex. plus i don't think rock bands should have multiple lead singers singing in chorus. some of it sounds like 50's doo-wop. the scoring compilations on this site are usually right on, but i wanted to throw this cd out the car window after the 3rd try...awful.
  45. AaronS
    Jul 10, 2006
    1
    I tried, really I did, but this album is just AWFUL. Three for three. One of the most overrated bands of this decade. Dreadful.
  46. shnarfiglae
    Sep 14, 2006
    1
    listening to this is like stew dribbling down your front under your tshirt when your sick in bed with a terrible fever. annoying that it could ever be allowed to happen and smiled upon by others. people - shutup. theyre knobheads making music they deep-down wish could sound like U2 but is immediately forgettable. go into your kitchen or bedroom, tear up loads of different fabrics or listening to this is like stew dribbling down your front under your tshirt when your sick in bed with a terrible fever. annoying that it could ever be allowed to happen and smiled upon by others. people - shutup. theyre knobheads making music they deep-down wish could sound like U2 but is immediately forgettable. go into your kitchen or bedroom, tear up loads of different fabrics or whatever and stick em together in a collage. probably a bit of fun with your friends, results could surprise you. you dont feel like selling it in an 'effin museum and taken seriously though do you?? this is music that shouldnt have left the studio, its just people messin about. and sounding crap.… Expand
  47. mattyr
    Sep 28, 2006
    1
    Destined for the used cd bins of the future. Interesting in the worst way. Over and over I can hear them choosing to be different. It doesn't even make me want to sing; and it certainly can't get me to shake my ass. If you want to here some creative avante garde songwriting from Brooklyn, check out the new Grizzly Bear.
  48. Kas
    Jul 26, 2006
    1
    Well, I read the reviews, thought hey WTF I'll try them out, well This band just didnt do it for me, I couldnt get into any of the songs, sounded to me like the instruments were tripping over each other. Take my advice, listen to their stuff before buying, they have a rather unique sound that will most likely put some people off if their not into this particular style.
  49. MaxI
    Jul 8, 2006
    0
    Completely UNFRESH. Black people making music that black people aren't famous for making... oh my that's so novel. Let's make it the cover story of every magazine in the country. OK but the music not there. Every musical idea in this band is completely stale. 10 years late. And the lyrics are cringe-inducing.
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Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best Album of 2006
15
#15 Most Discussed Album of 2006
59
#59 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 40 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 40
  3. Negative: 0 out of 40
  1. Blender
    80
    On their lush major-label debut, the haunting Peter Gabriel-esque yawlps of singer Tunde Adebimpbe are punctuated by singer-guitarist Kyp Malone, whose raspy falsetto provides a sense of deadpan panic. [Jul 2006, p.103]
  2. Observer Music Monthly
    80
    A warmer, more linear record than their debut... Spellbinding, frustrating, wonderful.
    Read full review
  3. Spin
    80
    Sitek's layered sonics have grown more immense... and almost none of these songs charts a predictable course. [Jun 2006, p.81]
See all critic reviews »