I have an interesting sonic relationship to TV On The Radio. When their music is good, it’s great. When it’s not “good” (or just not suited to my tastes,) I still appreciate it. Art-rock only works for me when there’s a snappy hook or incredible production. That said, I’ve already preordered their upcoming album Seeds (due in November) thanks to the sick first single “Happy Idiot.” The bangup job keyboardist Dave Sitek did producing the excellent Kelis album Food didn’t hurt as far as engendering goodwill.
“Happy Idiot”‘s video is a Funny or Die production with a treatment written by comic Jake Fogelnest and featuring the immortal Paul Reubens (more commonly known as Pee-Wee Herman) as a somewhat unhinged race car driver. Check it out below. I think this album might end up being one of my favorites of 2014.