Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
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Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 53 Ratings

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  • Summary: Brooklyn art-rockers TV On The Radio make their full-length debut with this release. The trio consists of vocalist/animator Tunde Adebimpe, multi-instrumentalist/producer David Andrew Sitek (who produced the Yeah Yeah Yeahs debut) and guitarist Kyp Malone.

Top Track

Staring At the Sun
Cross the street from your storefront cemetery Hear me hailing from inside and realize, I I am the conscience clear In pain or ecstasy And we were... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    100
    It's that very rare thing: a totally fresh--and utterly engaging--sound. [Listen 2 This supplement, Mar 2004, p.12]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Drowned In Sound
    90
    TVOTR splurge slabs of strange sound into almost freeform structures that draw on jazz sensibilities, alt-rock peculiarities and the whole NYC infatuation with cool.
  3. The A.V. Club
    80
    TV On The Radio's ace is Adebimpe, whose urgent vocal performance sounds slyly bluesy and in sync with his and Sitek's dense urban soundscapes.
  4. Uncut
    80
    What's most frightening is that, mighty as Desperate Youth... is, their real stone killer is probably yet to come. [Jul 2004, p.100]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Pitchfork
    78
    The Young Liars EP was as fully realized as all the critics suggested, yet now, TV on the Radio sound like a work in progress. Still, Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes shows more strengths than mistakes.
  6. Almost Cool
    70
    There are some amazing songs on Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes, but overall it still feels like a transition[al] release of a group really trying to nail things.
  7. Alternative Press
    50
    Unfortunately, many of the tunes wear out their welcome, overextending a single inspired idea. [Apr 2004, p.88]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 29 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 21
  3. Negative: 2 out of 21
  1. HankW
    May 1, 2006
    10
    Incredible
  2. hart
    Feb 20, 2005
    10
    Best album of the year.
  4. NaderG
    Aug 17, 2005
    10
    Fucking incredible album. No guff!
  5. hb
    Apr 6, 2004
    9
    Thsi is a great album. Not as good, though, as their live show. These guys have serious talent.
  6. KentonL
    Feb 4, 2005
    9
    Rising out of the slagheap of contemporary indie rock, this ain't no Hoobastank all the way to the bank. . .TV On The Radio are totally Rising out of the slagheap of contemporary indie rock, this ain't no Hoobastank all the way to the bank. . .TV On The Radio are totally unique, with their moody atmospherics and left hooks to the brainpan. I guess you could call it art rock, but this ain't no Peter Gabriel lamb lying down on Broadway. Maybe Sun Ra on a one off with Roxy Music and Can. Whatever it is--or isn't--TV On The Radio is probably the best band ever to come straight outta Brooklyn!… Expand
  7. Vampire25
    Mar 27, 2011
    8
    Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes may not be TV On The Radio's best work to date, but it is nevertheless a great album. Every track soundsDesperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes may not be TV On The Radio's best work to date, but it is nevertheless a great album. Every track sounds more and more different from the previous track. It mixes electronic with Doo-Wop Punk Jazz Fusion. "Staring At The Sun" is the stand out track on this record. It's a brilliant song. All In All, Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes is a great album. B+… Expand
  8. vcbnmrwea
    Mar 6, 2004
    0
    I bought this crap expecting to get a free tv. Instead I got a free radio that plays tv. It also dosns't have Thisrty Babs!

See all 21 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

84
#84 Best Album of 2004
93
#93 Most Discussed Album of 2004

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