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Maximum Balloon really about a great producer/songwriter exhibiting his considerable talents free from the pressure and expectation of his day job.
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It may lack the emotional depth of some of his previous work, but as instant gratification goes, it's pretty perfect.
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At the end of the day Maximum Balloon is not a great departure from the TV on the Radio sound. And it's hard to say that's a bad thing.
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MojoThe worst thing you can say about this record is it's low on surprises. [Sep 2010, p.103]
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UncutMaximum Balloon isn't intended to carry the emotional and cultural weight of a TV On The Radio release, but it's a charming diversion that bodes well for Dear Science's follow-up, not to mention whichever artist is smart enough to hire Sitek as their producer next. [Sep 2010, p.98]
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Maximum Balloon is by no means a perfect album, but there are some fantastic performances to be found (Karen O, Ambrosia Parsley's sultry Pink Bricks). It's a shame that Sitek never steps up to the mic, but when you've got friends like these it doesn't really matter.
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The record's only real weakness is what should make it work for radio: There's nothing unexpected. For better or worse, that's also what separates Maximum Balloon from TVOTR.
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The good thing about an album like this is if one song isn't quite your style, the one following it just might hit the spot. It doesn't say much for consistency, but such is the story when dealing with one David Sitek.
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Dec 13, 2010Maximum Balloon, obviously, is not your typical TVOTR tour de force. But it doesn't aspire to be. What it simply seeks is to make your ass shake.
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Maximum Balloon makes an impressive noise. But it struggles to make one feel anything more than impressed.
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It feels like Maximum Balloon is a project that could inflate infinitely. Let's hope it does.
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or his solo debut, Dave Sitek adds schwing to his smeared synths and swarming guitars, while an A list of New York voices rock midtempo goth-soul beats.
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On this solo-ish debut, though, he gives that funk factor full reign, recruiting pals Karen O and David Byrne to sing over synthed-up disco-rock that's brighter and bouncier than his main band's anxious throb. Maximum Balloon deflates when Sitek switches into avant-cabaret mode.
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Overall, though, this is an enjoyable, danceable working holiday from Sitek, one that shows aspects of his music that bode well for his many other projects.
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Under The RadarOct 26, 2010Overall, Maximum Balloon is a generally pleasing collection, if not consistently striking. [Fall 201, p.68]
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Q MagazineYou would not have predicted, however, he'd settle for an album of songs that sound like leftovers from the Dear Science sessions. [Sep 2010, p.116]
User score distribution:
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Positive: 7 out of 12
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Mixed: 3 out of 12
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Negative: 2 out of 12
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Nov 30, 2010
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Sep 26, 2010
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Sep 22, 2010