Maximum Ballon is the moniker of Dave Sitek of the band TV On The Radio. After producing albums for bands like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Liars, The Foals, Scarlett Johansson and even his own band, Sitek steps out to create his own blend of synth-rock. Sitek is simply the instrumentalist on this album as his vocals are absent throughout. To make up for that, the album features guest vocalists on every single track, many of which are good friends of Dave's including Karen O. of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, David Byrne and of course his own band mates Tunde Adebimpe and Kyp Malone who each get their own respective tracks to sing on. TV On The Radio's sound is sprinkled into the mix here but Maximum Balloon is much more synth driven. Sitek has not abandoned his guitar roots either as many of the tracks feature riffs that Sitek's fingerprints are all over. There is something mesmerizing about each of these tracks. The album has its very upbeat almost disco-ish tracks while a song like "Pink Bricks" featuring Ambrosia Parsley is extremely dreamy and relaxing. The use of multiple vocalists keeps the album sounding fresh and gives each track its own flavour. After showing off his chops on the Dark Was The Night compilation, it is strange to not hear Sitek vocally on this album. Perhaps after another TV On The Radio album a second Maximum Balloon album will see him return to the mic.
www.myspace.com/maximumballoon
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