Television is the third and final studio album by the American rock band Television. It was released on September 28, 1992, 14 years after the band's second studio album and subsequent breakup in 1978. A video for "Call Mr. Lee" was filmed and briefly aired on MTV.
Reception
Television has been generally well received by critics. Rock critic Robert Christgau wrote, "I prefer the more rocking, songful old Television, but it's a tribute to Tom Verlaine's conceptual restlessness and force of personality that in a world where alternative guitar means making noise or mixing and matching from the used bins, these four veterans have regrouped with a distinct new sonic identity. Droll, warm-hearted, sophisticated, cryptic, jazzy yet unjazzlike, they sound like nothing else—except, just a little, old Television". David Fricke of Rolling Stone said, "It was worth waiting fifteen years." Per Milo Miles of The New York Times, "Trying to adjust after a long layoff, these musicians have assembled a scaled-down Television, though one with exquisite design details." Ira Robbins of Entertainment Weekly hailed it as "a shadowy album no less edgy or atmospheric than their first two. The band's filigree of interwoven guitar patterns has gained in maturity and refinement, but songwriter-singer Verlaine’s unique vision still comes through loud and clear."
Track listing
Personnel Television Billy Ficca – drums, production Richard Lloyd – guitar (solos: "1880 or so", chorus of "Call Mr. Lee", "Rhyme"), slide guitar on "Beauty Trip", production Fred Smith – bass, vocals, guitar, executive production, mixing Tom Verlaine – vocals, guitar (all solos except where noted), executive production, mixing
Technical Vera Beren – production assistance Joe Brescio – mastering Patrick A. Derivaz – engineering assistance Mario Salvati – engineering, mixing
References
External links