TORONTO - It's not often that an of-the-moment buzz-band actually lives up to its hype. But much-hyped Brooklyn art-rock outfit TV On The Radio easily met the challenge at the Kool Haus Sunday night. Known for being studio rats, the rock-critic darlings' live translation was impressive, despite the venue's struggle at times to support the group with equally impressive sound quality.
Touring in support of their major label debut, Return To Cookie Mountain -- a record that landed itself on countless year-end lists and earned SPIN Magazine's coveted Album Of The Year title -- TV On The Radio are somewhat of an enigma. With a sound that's hard to define, it's nearly impossible to put a finger on the five-piece. They're experimental yet chock-full of hooks and melodies.
It's a peculiar electro-soul-rock combo that works. There's hints of trip hop, doo-wop and atmospheric indie-pop -- but they definitely don't look the pop-rock part (you don't see many salt-and-pepper beards or non-ironic afros in pop these days). Technically, they're bang-on, although there could be some more breathing room allotted in their layered noise-effect, as most of the lyrics get lost in the frenzy.
Much of the group's strength rides on frontman Tunde Adebimpe's versatile vocals -- he can easily move from sweet and pristine harmonies to gravelly rock growls to booming, hearty soul singing. Supported by guitarist/keyboardist/producer David Sitek, vocalist/guitarist Kyp Malone, drummer Jaleel Bunton and bassist Gerard Smith, Adebimpe keeps busy herking and jerking around the stage as the music seemingly moves from his bandmates right through him. Highlights of their approximately 80-minute set were all Cookie Mountain offerings -- Province, a swirling, groove-heavy number, the reggae-tinged I Was A Lover, the dance-rock gem Wolf Like Me and Dirtywhirl, during which a sweaty, beatboxing Adebimpe sprayed water on the overheated crowd whilst explaining the song is about, well, water.
The most interesting part of their set came during A Method, a rootsy performance with each of the bandmembers taking up percussion -- a handheld cymbal, sleigh bells, a snare on the floor beaten with bells -- all creating a hypnotic whirlwind of sound they call a children's song. "Toronto, this is a children's song, so if you have an inner child, go for it," said Adebimpe, during one of the few moments that anyone on stage said anything at all. Like the crowd, the band was mostly lost in the delirious wall of sound that is their music.
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