Exploring My Love of Triple A Radio

 Rawk Radio   

The more I write about radio, the more I realize that I really am a Triple A radio lover at heart. They do play some stuff that I don’t listen to, especially the more classic rock side of the catalogue, but I do really love a lot of what plays on Triple A. In San Diego, we have a great Triple A station (KPRI) and even though Sophie (KCSF) is officially Hot AC, they have their own Triple A tendencies. There is definitely a crossover with the alt rock playlists, but I find that Triple A plays more stuff that I love than I hate. So let’s take a look, shall we? Here’s the current top 10 in Triple A:

1. Coldplay - Lost
2. Snow Patrol - Take Back The City
3. O.A.R. - Shattered (Turn The Car Around)
4. Eric Hutchinson - Rock and Roll
5. Ray LaMontagne - You Are The Best Thing
6. Pretenders - Boots of Chinese Plastic
7. Killers - Human
8. Beck - Orphans
9. Bret Dennen (feat. Femi Kuti) - Make You Crazy
10. Sara McLachlan - U Want Me 2

I look at the rest of the Triple A chart and see all sorts of stuff I listen to - Kings of Leon, Ryan Adams, Keane, Death Cab For Cutie, Augustana, Delta Spirit, Ben Folds/Regina Spektor. I don’t even mind the occasional John Mayer song. I can listen to a Triple A station anywhere in the country a lot longer than your average Alt Rock station. Yes, there are exceptions, but for the most part, I pretty much try to find the Triple A station or pray for satellite radio when I am travelling (though my fave XM stations were lost in the merge with Sirius. Boo.) Because what’s the alternative? Most of the time it’s a crappy CC alt/active rock station that I can listen to for about 20 minutes before they play something I totally hate. Speaking of alt rock, you know you’re curious about their top 10 - what exactly crosses over? So for comparison, here’s the Alt Rock Top 10:

1. Offspring - You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid
2. Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire
3. Rise Against - Re-education Through Labor
4. Apocalyptica - I Don’t Care
5. Weezer - Troublemaker
6. Killers - Human
7. Shinedown - Second Chance
8. Metallica - The Day That Never Comes
9. Theory of a Deadman - Bad Girlfriend
10. Death Cab for Cutie - Cath

Um, yeah. I could go the rest of my life not ever hearing another Offspring and Metallica song and I would totally be okay. I’m also gonna complain about hearing the new Guns and Roses on alt rock radio. Not to mention crap like Mudvayne, Hoobastank and Linkin Park. (Though I do think Triple A played Linkin Park’s “Shadow of the Day”, which I will admit is tolerable only in that it sounds like bad U2.) Of course, there is plenty of alt rock that I still listen to. And I am always happily surprised when alt rock embraces something I would never guess would make it into mainstream radio programming (The Ting Tings at #38!) but that doesn’t really happen that often.

I guess my point here is that while my first love of radio was built upon a great alt rock station (XTRA in its heyday) and re-inforced by a renaissance in alt rock radio led by KBZT and Indie 103.1, I think lately my musical taste runs decidedly on the Triple A side. I’m definitely gonna need to work through that idea. 

Music Mondays - Weekly Music Roundup

Disclaimer: I may or may not have actually listened to these songs. I am just posting them for the greater good.

The Postmarks - 11.59
This is from their recent album of covers. Cool concept - a song for each number.
More info: myspace

Apollo Sunshine - Singing To The Earth (To Thank Her For You)
This is the new remix by the Ed Banger artist Mickey Moonlight.
More info: myspace

Spindthrift - Ace Coltrane
From L.A. Recently Paste’s artist of the week.
More info: myspace

Fallbrooke - Losing It
Alt rock from south Florida. For the emo kid in you.
More info: myspace

The Republic Tigers - Fight Song
This song from the KC band is on the OMFGG (Gossip Girls Soundtrack), which I totally heart.
More info: myspace.

New In Stores and on the Radio

 Rawk Radio    Rawk Releases   

In Stores 11/18:
Black Keys Live at the Crystal Ballroom (DVD)
If you’ve been to the Crystal Ballroom, you have an idea of how awesome this show must have been. Buy it here on the cheap.

Femi Kuti Day by Day
First studio album in seven years. Check out more info on myspace.

Stereophonics Decade In The Sun
This is a “best of” compilation. Check out all the videos for the tracks on imeem.

Third Eye Blind Red Star (EP)
This three song EP will only be available digitally. There are three songs on the EP - a preview for their full length due early next year. You can listen to the EP now on their myspace.

Impacting on radio:
(alt rock)
Franz Ferdinand - Ulysses
Living Things - Let It Rain
Presidents Of The United States Of America - Ladybug
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - You Better Pray
(triple a)
Conor Oberst - Cape Canaveral
Counting Crows - When I Dream Of Michelangelo
Donavon Frankenreiter - Your Heart
Iron & Wine - Flightless Bird, American Mouth
Of Montreal - An Eluardian Instance
Travis - Song To Self

In other radio news:
Last week, the legendary Nic Harcourt of KCRW announced that he is stepping down as music director and as host of “Morning Become Eclectic” effective 11/30. He’ll continue to do a show on KCRW on Sundays from 6-9 p.m.

Also, a bit of a lineup change at KBZT. The shifts were changed and Garett has a new show. Full details if you rawk on.

Annuals at SOMA

 Rawk Shows   

So I braved SOMA to see the Annuals. True devotion because I really hate going there. The crowd was rolling about 300 deep (they closed off the back half of the main room with a curtain) and the crowd was definitely there for Minus the Bear because the Annuals got their fair share of heckling, which is unfortunate. So set list…

Annuals
SOMA San Diego
11/14/08

Brother
Confessor
Complete or Completing
Always Do
Springtime
Sore
Down the Mountain
Hair Don’t Grow
Hot NIght Hounds

So yeah, SOMA is not the best venue for this band. They didn’t sound bad, but I think their style of performance is best experienced in a smaller venue.  I enjoyed their performance, but I really would rather see them at Casbah or Belly Up, ya know? The new material sounded great - love “Confessor” live. Adam seemed a little calm in comparison to how I have seen him in the past - he had a lot of stage to work with so his energy almost seemed contained. Oh and I have to say that I dug on Anna’s dress - she ditched her regular long, flowy dresses and wore a hipster-approved plaid mini-dress. Super cute. Despite the heckling early on, I think they might have won some fans over the course of their set. By the time they played “Sore”, I saw quite a few people getting into their performance. And they really nailed “Hot Night Hounds”. I was standing by the sound booth and some guy asked me if I knew what the last song was - so I told him and he went on his merry way. I stuck around for a little of Minus the Bear’s set, but I was pretty much over it, so I bailed early, but it was worth my time to come out for sure.

Defend Equality

 But Seriously   

Rally at the County Admin building at 1pm. 

Jimmy Eat World Clarity show announced

 Rawk Shows   

I had heard that Jimmy Eat World was coming back to HOB San Diego on 3/6/09, but I just now read the details. They are going to play the album Clarity in its entirety in celebration of the 10th anniversary of its release. How awesome is that? Okay, actually it gets more awesome for long time San Diegans. No Knife is opening. Tix are on sale on Saturday 11/15. I’m thinking HOB members may get a pre-sale tomorrow. I’ll let you know if I get the email.

Update: pre-sale on ticketbastard now. passwd is “clarity”

Show Preview: Minus the Bear and Annuals at SOMA

 Rawk Shows   

I am really looking forward to the Minus the Bear/Annuals show this Friday (11/14). I know, it’s at SOMA, but I gotta suffer and hang with the kids because I do love both of these bands. They both have new albums for your listening pleasure - let’s take a look, shall we?

Artist: Minus the Bear
Album: Acoustics
Recommended if you like: acoustic takes of some of your fave songs by MTB
From the press kit:
“A band known for their unique brand of rock n roll full of finger-taping guitar riffs mixed with memorable melodies and progressive arrangements, ACOUSTICS is an excellent inside look into the band’s history of winning and entertaining a rabid and rapidly growing fan base.”
Standout Tracks: “Pachuca Sunrise”, “Burying Luck”
Worth a second listen?:
This EP is available digitally now but physical copies can only be had by hitting up and show and getting one there. It features newly recorded acoustic versions of fan favorites and one new track entitled “Guns & Ammo.” If you’re a fan, this is a must-have. If you’re not already one, this could definitely sway you.
More info: myspace
Listen: “Guns and Ammo”




Artist: Annuals
Album: Such Fun
Recommended if you like: ambitious indie rock
From the press kit:
“Such Fun lives up to its name, embracing a vast landscape of musical richness, combining Adam’s accomplished songcraft with an instrumental palate that is even more blindingly colorful than their previous work. Straddling the line between epic post-rock, pop-rock guitar crunch, woozy country swings and lovely orchestral ballads, Such Fun is revelatory in its depth.”
Standout Tracks: “Confessor","Hardwood Floor”
Worth a second listen?:
Since seeing Annuals live the first time (opening for Blonde Redhead at the Belly Up), I’ve always thought Annuals were way better as a live band than on record. This album really captures their live vibe - a good thing.
More info: myspace
Previous posts on chickrawker here
Listen: “Confessor”