TV on the Radio: Nine Types of Light

Leading the way, then, for today's new releases is Nine Types of Light, the fourth album from Brooklyn indie rockers TV on the Radio. The band has been cursed with the Midas Touch since their debut album as seemingly everything they produce instantly turns to gold. 2006's Return To Cookie...

By Michael Lopez

April 12, 2011

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18478561",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "16759093",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759092",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759094",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        }
      ]

Leading the way, then, for today's new releases is Nine Types of Light, the fourth album from Brooklyn indie rockers TV on the Radio. The band has been cursed with the Midas Touch since their debut album as seemingly everything they produce instantly turns to gold. 2006's Return To Cookie Mountain was what I believe to be one of the finest albums of the past decade -- an album that felt like it crowning achievement for the band. Yet here we have Nine Types of Light, another effortlessly impressive album from a band from whom we've come to expect nothing less.

What the critics are saying:

Ology: The indie/alternative album to beat in 2011--inventive, dynamic, and endlessly affecting. Nobody's making more exciting rock music than TV On The Radio.

Slant Magazine: Nine Types of Light may fall somewhat short in comparison with TV on the Radio's other albums, but it's a strong, smart effort from a band that continues to push resolutely forward.

Entertainment Weekly: Still, Light shines brightest when it mellows. On the soaring ''Keep Your Heart,'' as the band tastefully freaks behind him, Adebimpe serenades a hookup like a dirty Dr. Strangelove: When he finally learns to stop worrying, it's the bomb

Spin: [T]his album has a there-and-back quality, one they couldn't have pulled off five years ago. TV on the Radio have flashed unknowable cool, have been a troupe for our times, and have shaken their asses to kingdom come.

Nine Types of Light is out now via Interscope.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.