Track Listing

1. I Was A Lover
2. Hours
3. Province
4. Playhouses
5. Wolf Like Me
6. Method
7. Let The Devil In
8. Dirtywhirl
9. Blues From Down Here
10. Tonight
11. Wash The Day

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2953 in Music
• Released on: 2006-07-03
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
It's not unusual for New York bands to take their inspiration from the UK, but TV On The Radio must be one of the few to draw from the artsier side of the British music. Which is why their second album, Return to Cookie Mountain, sounds like something that could have been produced by Peter Gabriel, Brian Eno, or David Bowie--and, at its best, all three at the same time. And if there's any doubt as to TOTR's authenticity, then look no further than "Province", which features vocals from Mr Bowie himself. But really, Return to Cookie Mountain doesn't need the validation (though it's nice to have). Yes, it's a slightly wierd album, and probably not to everyone's taste with its feedback-heavy guitars, frenetic and syncopated drums, washes of synths and the eerie vocals of Kyp Malone and Tunde Adebimpe. But from the opener "I Was a Lover", Return to Cookie Mountain is an album that's rich, rewarding and atmospheric. And lest it all seem a bit too pretentious, there are actual tunes here as well: "Wolf Like Me", for example, is a catchy pop song lurking behind all the feedback. Return to Cookie Mountain may not be easy listening, but it is an album well worth listening to. --Ted Kord

Customer Reviews

TOTR is full cream, to Bloc Party's 2% milk
I had heard of TV On The Radio before, and seen them on various critics'lists but I'd never given them a listen until about 3 weeks ago. TV On The Radio surrounds you with its rich, complex sound. I listened to both Return to Cookie Mountain and their debut and was initially drawn to the bassier, more 'bare' sound of their first LP but I realised I find the vocals and synths on RTCM make for, if not an immediately catchy, then a deeper, more layered album.

RTCM is like a good novel, in that there is a definite beginning: I Was A Lover, middle: Wolf Like Me, and end: Wash The Day. These are the tracks that stand out the most, but without Let the Devil In, and Dirtywhirl, there would be gaps in the plot. Playhouses is slammed by some as a disappointment in the way it builds up, but I enjoy the feeling of waiting for the song to arrive it creates, whether intended by the band or not.

I say, buy both albums and listen chronologically first, in order to appreciate how TOTR's sound has evolved, though I dont feel RTCM is necessarily better than Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes, just possessing of a more complex sound.

Oh yes, and as to those Bloc Party fans crying, "Copycat!", I enjoy Bloc Party enough to have travelled across Germany to see them live, and I honestly believe TOTR is more complex, possessing of richer vocals, and more original than Bloc Party, despite Wolf Like Me's apparent similarity to Banquet.

Absolutely sublime
There haven't been many truly great bands to have appeared this decade where the commercialism of music has been taken to an all time low, but TV On The Radio are certainly one of them. And Return To Cookie Mountain is so good, you get the feeling that in years to come it could be looked upon as their magnum opus. It's reminiscent of Radioheads OK Computer in the way that it is made from so many layers of instrumentation, sound effects and distortion to create a deep atmosphere that not very many albums can boast at all. It's also reminiscent of that album in its cryptic, metaphorical lyrics. It's a huge improvement on the last album Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes which felt a little too bare and under produced. Stand out tracks include Wolf Like Me, Province (Which features David Bowie), Tonight and the incredible closing track, Wash The Day. This album has been given almost unanimous critical praise from every publication you can think of, whatever you do, don't let it slip by!

Simply Amazing
This Album has to be the best album of 2006, and is the best album i've come across since The Arcade Fire's 'Funeral' album. Having bought this album way back in September '06 having seen them at Reading Festival, I am well aware that this album does require time to grow on you, but once it has you will be drawn in by its emotional punch and Magnificence.

1. I Was A Lover- Very good opener and the 3rd single, Looping Horns give this song a Haunting quality 9/10

2. Hours- Another Strong song 8/10

3. Province- David Bowie provides backing vocals on this reflective song, second best on the album. 10/10

4. Playhouses- Probably the weakest on the album never really gets going. 5/10

5. Wolf Like Me- The Opening Single, and a great track, this will be your instant favourite, Very Anthemic 10/10

6. Method- Good but not great song, catchy but ultimately tiresome on repeated listenings. However good for occasional listening. 7/10

7. Let The Devil In- A good track one of the heavier on the album. 8/10

8. Dirtywhirl- A Catchy number and a great song, Great lyrics. 8/10

9. Blues From Down Here- The Best track on the album, its quite simply epic, A masterpiece. 10/10

10. Tonight- A Chilled out song that is very haunting and one of the best of the album 10/10

11. Wash The Day Away- Fantastic way to see out the album as the lyrics get washed away in a sea of beatiful noise. 10/10

Overall A superb album that has to go down as one of the best albums produced this century far better than their previous effort 'Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes'.

BUY IT! THIS BAND IS FAR TO GOOD TO REMAIN SO OBSCURE.