When enduring art rockers, TV On The Radio released 2011’s acclaimed Nine Types of Light record, it was met with tragedy just nine days later when the band’s bassist Gerard Smith succumbed to lung cancer after a long-fought battle. As the first album since then, Seeds could be forgiven for being tinged with a particularly blue hue. This is a band after all, who have mastered a deeply introspective brand of indie-rock.
Though it certainly does have its melancholic moments, these seem to come mostly from the music and not the spirit of these songs. The first half of mid-album masterpiece ‘Ride’, is a perfect example. It’s isolated piano and distant strings serving as a few moments of reflection before the song kicks into life with an emphatic burst of sound and energy. “Leave it behind, it’s time to ride” impassions Tunde Adebimpe, as if calling time on the mourning. There’s even a touch of whimsy thrown into the mix with radio-friendly ‘Happy Idiot’ and the punk powered ‘Lazerray’ providing some of the records’ high points.
Perhaps the most overt display of the band’s current state of mind, ‘Trouble’ is one of the record’s pinnacles with its electric beat and wall of acoustic guitars and synths instantly evoking the dense warmth of the band’s best music. Both mournful and uplifting, Seeds is an immensely rewarding listen which only gets richer with each listen. If you’re not a TV on the Radio fan at this point, this record probably won’t be the one to change your mind but for the TVOTR faithful, its one to savour.
