New Music: TV on the Radio: "Dumb Animal"
On last year's mighty Return to Cookie Mountain, TV on the Radio sounded complete. They'd harnessed the potential of their unearthly Young Liars EP and more scattered Desperate Youths, Blood Thirsty Babes to reach a full-throated, finely realized, and in every way major conclusion. "Dumb Animal", a B-side from the upcoming single for the band's David Bowie-featuring "Province", suggests TV on the Radio aren't through looking for new mediums yet.
"Put your hands up/ Here comes a bad man," comes a claustrophobic vocal over jackhammering electronic beats. The song breaks open with distant piano and a ghostly falsetto, but the constant rhythmic pressure soon returns. Whatever is chasing these guys, it just might "kill you," the track concludes, an adventurous exploration from a band at their best when they relive their adventures a tad closer to home.
[from the "Province" 7"; due 7/2/07 on 4AD]