Tender Buttons - Broadcast
Tender Buttons Image
  • Summary: Half the band has departed (replaced by a drum machine), but Broadcast's third LP still features the vocals of Trish Keenan and James Cargill's retro-electronic sound.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 21
  2. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. It's so satisfying when a band is able to subtly re-invent its sound, as Keenan and Cargill have done here so well.
  2. Tender Buttons feels more urgent and alive than anything Broadcast has ever recorded.
  3. There are precious moments on here and hints that something truly magnificent could emerge in time, but first Broadcast need to work out exactly where they're going and why.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. To blend electronic and organic into a state of balance is a triumph that probably only Broadcast could achieve. In other words, Tender Buttons rocks. Less analogue, more jarring this time – the third LP by the wizards of Warp finds them exploring new territories. The beats has become crude, even provoking but the whole album is surprisingly melodic and, horror of horrors, danceable. Black Cat is the best example of Broadcast’s new aesthetics: heavy and frigid but vibrant. It is also the best track here. America’s Boy and Michael A Grammar find the band in a similar mood. Those missing the old Broadcast will be satisfied with the opening I Found the F; it is when the band say goodbye to the past, ready to open a new chapter in their career. Arc of a Journey is a tender if dissonant sci-fi ballad. The most polished track and another standout is the instrumental Minus 3, also known as Evil Is Coming (I like the latter title best). Besides the omnipresent beats, the album has some great guitar moments: the title track is almost folk. In many songs live instruments play a major role. Tender Buttons confirms the status of Broadcast as the masters of electronica, left-field, sometimes cold and haunting but always hypnotic and full of emotions. If this is a sound of a glacier, then it must be melting. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. meeshaf
    9
    Broadcast does a lot with very little. Atmospheric music for the headphone set. Trish Keenan sings like a fallen angel. You won't be able to get it out of the CD player. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. LarryP
    9
    74 is way way too low. The album that will grow the most on you all year, my fav is the lovely "goodbye girls."
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 5 User Reviews

Recommended Products

  1. Haha Sound - Broadcast

    • Release Date: Aug 12, 2003
    Haha Sound Image
    • Release Date: Nov 29, 2011
    Siamese Dream [Deluxe Edition] Image
    • Release Date: Apr 18, 2000
    The Noise Made By People Image
  1. Siamese Dream [Deluxe Edition] - Smashing Pumpkins
    Metascore: 96
  2. The SMiLE Sessions - The Beach Boys
    Metascore: 96
  3. Metascore: 95
  4. Metascore: 93
  5. Some Girls [Deluxe Edition] - The Rolling Stones
    Metascore: 93
  6. Metascore: 92
  7. Unto the Locust - Machine Head
    Metascore: 91
  8. Metascore: 90
  9. Rio [Live] - Keith Jarrett
    Metascore: 90
  10. Metascore: 90
  11. Bitch Magnet - Bitch Magnet
    Metascore: 90
  12. Metascore: 89
  13. Metascore: 89
  14. Young Man In America - Anais Mitchell
    Metascore: 88
  15. Bad as Me - Tom Waits
    Metascore: 88
  16. The Singles - Goldfrapp
    Metascore: 88
  17. Undun - The Roots
    Metascore: 88