On the final track of "Seeds," frontman Tunde Adebimpe echoes the chorus, “Rain comes down like it always does, this time I’ve got seeds on ground,” a great mantra about starting over for a band who recently lost their bassist, Gerard Smith, to lung cancer. Smith’s death coincided with the release of the band’s 2011 album, “Nine Times of Light” leaving the acclaimed group’s future unclear. Finally, following three years of silence, the band released a statement announcing the release of their fifth album, which they boldly stated, is “1000 percent, without a doubt, the best thing we’ve ever done.”
From the album’s opening track, “Quartz”, it is obvious that this undying confidence is justified. It begins in typical TV on the Radio fashion with vocalists Adebimpe and Kyp Malone wailing melodically on top of Jaleel Bunton’s slow percussion. “Careful You,” the following track, is similarly paced and speaks on the same subject of losing someone or something dear to you.
"Seeds,” album artwork. COURTESY OF PITCHFORK.COM
Although the album thoroughly explores this existential topic, it is an upbeat, celebratory piece of art. This is best exemplified on the third track, “Could You,” a song about putting your selfish desires on the backburner to be with the one you love. Backed by a powerful horn section, this track is given a powerful boost perfect for a party or a wild highway drive.
Perhaps the most uplifting song on the album, “Trouble” reminds us that even though trouble and suffering is universal, it is important to remind yourself that, “everything’s gonna be okay.”
While their past albums focused on experimental production, Adebimpe’s vocals are the album’s focal point, making it the most accessible TV on the Radio release to date. When played from start to finish, it is difficult to distinguish which songs are the singles, making it a perfect candidate for radio airplay. With a deep discography behind them, it is not difficult to imagine “Seeds” elevating the band to stardom the same way “Reflektor” did for Arcade Fire.
Just like “Reflektor,” the TV on the Radio fan base has mixed feelings about the sound of “Seeds.” Some argue that the band sold out and compromised their ingenuity for the pop charts, but in a world full of generic, mechanical top 40 hits written for the Katy Perrys and Pitbulls, I invite them to take the mainstream by storm.
Be sure to tune in 91.5 WGRE to hear the album on the air.
Essential Tracks: “Careful You,” “Could You,” “Love Stained,” and “Seeds.”
