Nine Types of Light

TV on the Radio - Nine Types of Light
Critic Score
Based on 35 reviews
2011 Ratings: #90 / 1031
User Score
Based on 210 ratings
2011 Rank: #181
Liked by 13 people
April 11, 2011 / Release Date
LP / Format
Interscope / Label
Sign In to rate and review

CRITIC REVIEWS

100
A.V. Club

Finding the beauty and the beat in unpredictable chaos—keeping the heart when the world falls apart—has always been TV On The Radio’s specialty, and here, it sounds completely effortless.

90
musicOMH

Each listen reveals another layer, and the album wears incredibly well over obsessive revisiting.

90
PopMatters

Even with these toe-dips in fuzzier, darker grooves, there’s still a sanguine blanket that covers Nine Types of Light.

80
Under the Radar

It's with Nine Types that they've taken their longest step toward highlighting the influence of Bowie's late '70s/early '80s work and weaving it into a current context.

80
Slant Magazine

Nine Types of Light may fall somewhat short in comparison with TV on the Radio's other albums, but it's a strong, smart effort from a band that continues to push resolutely forward.

80
Rolling Stone
Well, the end of all things must've been pretty bitchin', because the follow-up is pure heaven.
80
Consequence of Sound

Nine Types of Light, continues to explore their ever-increasing accessibility with infectious results, albeit with more sonic sparseness and optimistic lyrics.

80
Paste
They've been freaks; they've been lover-boys. Now they're spaced-out romantics.
80
NME

Nine Types…’ will make those who over-contextualise TVOTR finally quit their chin-stroking and live a little. This really is the most fun you can have without laughing.

80
Tiny Mix Tapes

TV on the Radio's emphasis on love and companionship feels vital.

77
Pitchfork

Nine Types of Light shows how TV on the Radio's transmissions can be just as effective and affecting when delivered free of static and noise.

70
No Ripcord

There’s little denying that this album misses a lot of the urgency and sheer emotional energy of the band’s first two LPs.

70
Drowned in Sound

Nine Types of Light feels like the work of a band more than content to make a good album.

Enneti
70

TV on the Radio really came out with quite a catchy and straight forward rock album fused with electronic. Very easy to enjoy, but it certainly lacks a certain authenticity that the previous records were particularly excelling at.

Trindade31
90

More refined and sophisticated of all TV on the Radio releases. A mature and very well thought production.

Fantasio
78

I like the opener "Second Song", and the using of falsetto - also on further tracks ("Forgotten") - is pretty catchy. TV On The Radio provides with this album a good mix of complex song structures and sophisticated instrumentations with poppy elements (uh uh (on "Second Song", uiuuu (on "You"), partly Bee-Gees-like falsetto). "Keep Your Heart" could be also a song written by David Bowie, who was a fan of TV On The Radio (like me). The following ... read more

81

Well, I like the album, especially the intro and closer. But in comparison to it's predecessor, the album feels a little forgettable and sleepy. The instrumentals came to life in Dear Science, but in this they feel more consistent with the Cookie Mountain instrumentals that I wasn't as partial to. Still, solid.

kattenbroekcom
71

Nine Types Of Light continues into a spiral of more generic indie rock sounds even if there is sometimes more fun to be had on certain songs. It's good but weaker.

73

1. second song - nice! piano and then guitar and vocals and drums fun and cheerful
2. keep your heart - i like it but prob not as much as i liked second song but im not rlly paying much attention lol... wait i rlly like this i feel like w a couple more listens i could get really obsessed with it
3. you - didn't pay attention
4. no future shock - when this song started i looked up
5. killer crane - last song before will do.....
6. will do - YESSSSSSSSS 9.9999/10 the lyrics are so beautiful
7. ... read more

Purchasing Nine Types of Light from Amazon helps support Album of the Year. Or consider a donation?
Become a Donor
Donor badge, no ads + more benefits.
Advertisement

Track List

1Second Song
4:20
80
2Keep Your Heart
5:42
73
3You
4:04
76
4No Future Shock
4:02
72
5Killer Crane
6:14
80
6Will Do
3:44
87
7New Cannonball Blues
4:32
77
8Repetition
3:42
76
9Forgotten
3:37
72
10Caffeinated Consciousness
3:18
80
Total Length: 43 minutes
Comments
Sign in to comment
No one has said anything yet.