
The Radio Dept.
Clinging to a Scheme
Labrador
Apr 19, 2010
Web Exclusive
Swedish pop fans rejoice. After a mere four years and four million delays, The Radio Dept.‘s third album, Clinging to a Scheme, is finally completed. While the drum machines that dominated sophomore release Pet Grief make notable appearances on tracks “Never Follow Suit” and single “David,” Clinging to a Scheme marks an interesting return to the organic roots of debut, Lesser Matters.
It appears the band’s extended vacation has been a boon for their mental health. This time out, The Radio Dept. has managed to inject a shockingly sunny undertone into their shoegaze-driven Scandinavian melancholy. While the perky spoken-word opening of “Heaven’s On Fire” and the terrible rap interlude in “Never Follow Suit” represent the album’s only out-and-out missteps (can excessive exposure to the sun cause delusions?), the newfound optimism prevents some of their familiar sounds from coming off as blatant rehashes of previous songs, particularly “You Stopped Making Sense” and “The Video Dept.” both of which play like the less-damaged siblings of 2003 EP, Pulling Our Weight. It’s something fans are sure to enjoy, but please, do so slowly—who knows when we’ll get another? (www.myspace.com/officialradiodept)
Author rating: 7/10
Average reader rating: 8/10
Current Issue

Issue #70
Nov 18, 2022 Issue #70 - My Favorite Movie (Sharon Van Etten and Ezra Furman)
Most Recent
- 20% Off Subscriptions This Week as Under the Radar’s New Issue is Shipping Soon (News) —
- Pitchfork Music Festival Announces 2023 Lineup: The Smile, Big Thief, and Bon Iver to Headline (News) — The Smile, Big Thief, Bon Iver, Weyes Blood, Black Belt Eagle Scout, Alvvays, Nation of Language, King Krule, Perfume Genius, Julia Jacklin, Jockstrap, Vagabon, Mdou Moctar, Mdou Moctar, illuminati hotties, Panda Bear, Panda Bear & Sonic Boom, Sonic Boom, Youth Lagoon, Snail Mail, Killer Mike, Hurray for the Riff Raff, JPEGMAFIA, Florist
- Panda Bear and Sonic Boom Share “In My Body” Video and Announce New U.S. Tour Dates (News) — Panda Bear, Panda Bear & Sonic Boom, Sonic Boom
- Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows (Review) —
- Premiere: Lauren Morrow Shares New Video for “I’m Sorry” (News) — Lauren Morrow
Comments
Submit your comment
There are no comments for this entry yet.