1. Release delays are limited (or nonexistent).
Anytime an artist claims their newest project will be released "early next year," or "sometime in the Spring," I tend to get a little weary. Even though I have a little more faith in the honesty of this announcement than I do for say, a rumored Curren$y mixtape release date, I won't be totally worry-free until a more definitive date is put on the project.
2. Wolf Like Me redux.
I love TV on the Radio. I love every intricate and gentle and layered and complex piece of music they've ever made, but their biggest hit to date; Wolf Like Me, proved that this group could also make passionate and comparatively straight-forward rock music. While an entire album pursuing this sound would be a bit much, a couple of songs that explore similar sounds would not be unwelcome.
3. Elements of Hip-hop are incorporated.
David Sitek produced an excellent track on rapper Wale's debut record and he at least started working on a hip-hop mixtape with comedian Aziz Ansari (speaking of record delays), and on the Dear Science cut Dancing Choose, TV on the Radio vocalist Tunde Adebimpe displayed a theretofore unseen ability to rap. The group already has the talent to create a record with hip-hop influences and it would be undeniably awesome to hear someone like Jay Electronica trading bars with Adebimpe. Speaking of which...
4. Awesome guest features.
This group has a history of selecting amazing musicians to guest on their records. Katrina Ford has contributed priceless vocals to all three of the group's LP's. The great David Bowie sung on the Return to Cookie Mountain standout Province and Yeah Yeah Yeahs guitarist Nick Zinner played on the band's first record, Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes. I personally can not wait to see who the band dragged in the studio to assist on Nine Types of Light.
5. A thorough and amazing tour.
The past year saw Vampire Weekend, Arcade Fire and The Decemberists all hit the top Billboard spot with their newest records. If they play their cards right, TV on the Radio could see a fair amount of mainstream recognition themselves. It would be great to see to see them harness the ensuing publicity to put on a far-reaching and well-received tour.
6. No distractions from Jane's Addiction.
After hearing news of David Sitek's contributions to Jane's Addiction's newest record, I feared the band would take even longer to get back together. I was thankfully proven wrong, but I sincerely hope that Mr. Sitek doesn't let any commitments to Jane's Addiction get in the way of his work on Nine Types of Light.
7. Kyp Malone continues to develop his songwriting chops.
Vocalist and guitarist Kyp Malone is often overshadowed in the group by ecstatic vocal and live performances of Adebimpe and the studio genius of Sitek, but with a slept on solo record under his belt, Malone could continue to do some serious damage as a primary songwriter in the group. On Dear Science, the two tracks Malone was most exclusively involved with were two of the strongest on the record. Stork and Owl was a glitchy and aching ballad, while Lover's Day was one of the most emotionally intense pieces of music the band has ever turned out.
8. The record isn't too scatterbrained.
If anyone can pack an impossible number of genres into an album or even into a song, it's these guys. But Sitek and Malone released very different solo records during the time the group was on hiatus and I hope any conflicts in terms of creative direction can be resolved.
9. No one takes themselves too seriously.
I must say that I feel that there is hardly any chance of this happening. The interviews this band has done all paint the picture of a very down to earth group of guys. However, this group has received a Radiohead-like amount of critical acclaim which could theoretically go to the head of even the most humble musicians.
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