Album of the Day

A year after their debut floored critics, Television returned with ADVENTURE. Like the New York quartet's previous album, the 1978 Elektra collection brims with fine songs from the pen of singer-guitarist Tom Verlaine and mesmerizing dual lead playing from him and fellow axeman Richard Lloyd. What distinguishes ADVENTURE is a more refined sound due partly to a new producer (John Jansen) and partly to the group's more seasoned vocal and instrumental work. Propulsive rockers like “Glory" and “Ain't That Nothin'” make Television sound poised for mainstream radio … until a few theremin licks (“The Fire”) and some eerie orchestration (“The Dream's Dream”) remind you that this band would never play it safe. The superbly crafted ADVENTURE further explores the group's unique fusion of jazz, progressive and alternative rock, and we'll cue it up now to wish Verlaine a happy birthday.