TV Set- Regret Is for Humans

Written by Richard Edge

Artist: TV Set
CD Title: Regret is for Humans
Label: Self Release
Reviewer: Richard Edge
Date: 5-16-06

TV Set have existed on and off since the 1980s, and it shows. There is a wealth of dark, melancholy influences here on this piece of stark, synth pop goth, as though a metaphorical fishing net was cast in the murky world of alternative culture of the last 20 years. The question is though, does the one-man project that is TV Set manage to combine, mould and shape these influences into a coherent, currently viable product? I’d like to answer with an unequivocal yes, but sadly, there are too many letdowns with this offering for this to be the answer. Poor vocal delivery is the main drawback for me, along with slightly lacklustre production values. Even non-singers can be fixed with software these days, so there is no real excuse for this sort of thing.

“Its an econo-box, it don’t got powerlocks” – part of the refrain from the song‘Escort’. Even a topic as powerful as this cannot move me enough to be positive, even though I fully agree with the automobile-related sentiments.

Looking around the internet has failed to yield a positive review anywhere for this piece of sonic floundering, and sadly I find myself unable to deviate from this trend.

Visit the band: www.tvsetnoise.com