10 More Perfect 2000s Rock Albums With No Bad Songs
3. Dear Science - TV On The Radio (2008)
This is not your standard rock album. It's one of those records that could fit comfortably in several different sections in your local record store. It was full of passionate performances and bold choices in terms of genre blending. There's plenty of electro beat drumming, some funk inspired guitar melodies and plenty of post-punk sensibilities.
Although tonally the sound is bright and clear, the lyrical themes take a turn for the darker at times. They become just as wide ranging as the musical influences, exploring such subjects as sex, death and the corrupting aspects of technology and science.
The majority of vocals are sung but the albums most recognised track DLZ straddles the line between, politicised hip hop track and protest rock number. It was a clever move sticking this number towards the end of the album, it's the cherry on top of the cake. You've just spent 40 minutes exploring all these optimistic musical textures, but then DLZ drops in. With its ominous synth tone, industrial drum beat and thorny lyrics - that are nothing if not accusatory - the track is an impactful bookend.