Enjoying The Cheese

Titus Andronicus- 4.5
I would love to know how these guys came up with the concept for this album. I love Celtic music. I love The Pogues. I love The Replacements. I love Connor Oberst. I love The Hold Steady. I love this album. But, not at first listen- it took a few. But, like The National’s High Violet, I had a hard time taking this cd out of the player. As soon as it finished, I wanted to hear it again. There’s a lot of music here- not to mention great, great lyrics.… “is there a girl at this college who hasn’t been raped, is there a boy in this town that’s not exploding with hate” and “but I wasn’t born to die like a dog, I was born to die just like a man”. Lots of emotion here. And its obvious the band is so into it. Best album of the year so far. Hands down.

Hanson- 2.5
The Hanson’s get a 2.5 because the first 3 songs are at least listenable and the overall musicianship on this cd is good. My impression of the record is that the Hanson’s are trying way too hard here. Way too over produced. Could not care if I listened to it ever again.

Icarus Himself- 3.5
Digging Holes—great song to kick off a great EP. I liked it right away. But then I love that alt/indie minimalist songwriting style especially when it’s combined with catchy, albeit quirky, vocals and a homemade (yeah, I taped it myself in the basement) feel. I mean, it doesn’t get quirkier than Cadaver Love Song. Seen It Coming(Mexico) starts out slow but ends up destroying everything in its path. This is a very creative guy who crams a lot into 5 songs.

X- 4.0
A twofer. Two great albums on one cd- love it. The first 2 releases by X have stood the test of time- a mark of great music. I think this happens when you get artists that are passionate about the music they’re making. Great energy, great intertwining harmonies and great musicianship- what’s not to like. X has been pegged as the quintessential L.A. punk band of the 70’s and 80’s, but there’s more to there guys than that. Yes, you get that frenetic punk energy but you also get ballads, rockabilly, rock and roll, and even a little country in the mix. Good stuff.

Bash and Pop- 3.0
Shame on me. And I call myself a Replacements fan. Totally missed this one. OK- so Tommy Stinson is no Paul Westerberg, but there’s enough good stuff here to keep any fan of The Replacements happy. A few misses but a lot of hits.

BOC Ghits
I guess I never gave BOC much of a chance- never being a big fan of what I heard on the radio (ad nauseum). But, D’Arcy- I have to admit this is a nice mix and I have a new found respect for the band. Thank you.

Discussion:
In this age of specialization can a public radio station survive without any
true format? Just play what ever songs whenever they want. Does a station
like this exist?
- Sure it can survive- and does. WWUH WHUS WPKN WRTC and I’m sure many others. Even on the internet- check out Radio Paradise.

When driving in the car while listening to the radio (if you still do) when
a "classic song" comes on do you listen to it or switch the station to
something else? Why?
-Since I don’t listen to commercial radio- all due respect to Alan and Jay- I’m taking an N/A to this question.

With satelite radio and the internet has the classification of oldies or
sounding dated seem to have lost its meaning?
- No. Oldies are oldies.

What is the greatest 70's one hit wonder song ever recorded?
-Dancing In The Moonlight- King Harvest