Friday music stuff: Alternative Radio Philly, Best of 2007
22Jun2007 Filed under: Music Author: SpencerLooks like alternative radio has finally returned to Philadelphia. Radio 104.5 is playing what they call adult alternative. For those that have been here a few years, it’s a watered down Y100 (which was a watered down WDRE). Anyway it’s nice that there is someone that will play bands like Interpol and Killers here in the city. That said, they seem to only play the hits. Yes they might play Talking Heads and Flaming Lips - but it’s the songs you already know and that’s cool, but my iPod already does that. I want to hear something a little different. It’s early yet, and I’ll be listening to see if they gain a bit more electiveness - but right now they rate a C+. Listen and tell me what you think (you can listen online)
On to the best CDs I’ve heard this year. I’ll do this in multiple parts. I have quite a few more to add to this list.
Best CDs of 2007
- Palms and Runes, Tarot and Tea: A Michael Penn Collection - Michael Penn - If your a fan, the remakes and alternate takes are worth the price of only $10 and if you aren’t a fan, this is a great intro into one of the best singer/songwriters of our generation
- Armchair Apocrypha - Andrew Bird - A simply exquisite album. Reminds me of a cross between Sufjan Stevens, Arcade Fire, and Andy Stochansky - but better. This album simply demands that you listen to it in its entirety.
- Back to Black - Amy Winehouse - Sometimes it’s a little too honest in it’s retro styling, but it’s still a lot of fun and a great listen
- Broom - Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Not because Yeltsin passed this year - but this was a big miss from 2006
- The Dust of Retreat - Margot & The Nuclear So and So’s - Another big miss from 2006. Very subtle.
- Learn to Sing Like a Star - Kristen Hersh - One of her best. She risks a lot in her music; not doing the same thing she’s done in the past, or that anyone else does
- Jarvis - Jarvis Cocker - I love almost every song on this album from the former Pulp frontman. If you like Pulp - get this, and if you don’t - still get it.
- New Magnetic Wonder - The Apples in Stereo - Truly an incredibly accessible and catchy cd. Poppy and summerlike. Great CD.
More CDs from this year later. Tell me your favorites.
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Ostensibly A Rubber Door is about anything that's on my mind. Mostly that seems to be about politics, music, sports, and arguing with others about all of the above. I took the name of this blog from a Michael Penn song called Me Around. Check out Michael - he's about the best singer/songwriter there is.
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Howard
June 22nd, 2007 at 10:25 am
Wow, 5 out of 8. We’re hitting a lot of the same music this year. Excellent.
kristen
June 22nd, 2007 at 10:27 am
i’ve been listening to the station in the car and at work a lot, and they do play some newer stuff that hasn’t made it to “hit” status. i’ve rarely had to change the channel, which is not something i can say about, oh, any other station on my memory list. it’s not perfect, but i’m not looking for that. i just want to be entertained.
if the station that has whoopi goldberg on in the morning is the revival of my junior high and high school dance-heavy music mix, then this one covers my college years and beyond.
also: amy winehouse is tops for me this year. love love love it.
grace
June 22nd, 2007 at 11:36 am
Hey Spencer–How did the new Wilco turn out?
Spencer
June 25th, 2007 at 9:54 am
Kristen - I’ve yet to hear much I haven’t heard before, but it’s still a welcome addition to the airwaves.
Grace - I wrote the music recommendations a while ago - before listening to Wilco - I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite Wilco CD (the 3 consecutive CDs Being There, Summerteeth, and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot are the high point of their career so far), but it’s growing on me.
Spencer
June 25th, 2007 at 9:56 am
Howard - which 5? Here’s my guess:
Michael Penn
The Apples in Stereo
Amy Winehouse
Andrew Bird
Jarvis Cocker
How’d I do?
grace
June 25th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
I heard Jarvis Cocker on Fresh Air today. It was good. If you missed it, it’s online at the NPR website for free.
Scarlet
June 26th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
I do need to get the Jarvis Cocker album. Love him!
Howard
June 29th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
HA! You’re dead on! Hilarious. You know me too well.
Joe Cotellese
July 22nd, 2007 at 10:10 pm
I read about K-Rock and 104.5 last month in Rolling Stone. I figured you picked up on it too.
I’m listening to it but I’m already tired of the playlist. It way to heavy on Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains.
Not that it’s a bad thing but their is soooo much more great music to play.
When I can catch it I’m way more in to Y-Rock on XPN. It’s the evolution of WDRE, one of the last great Philadelphia radio stations.