Best Radio Station Ever
February 1st, 2005 Posted in Music, Twin Cities
Today at approximately 3:00 p.m. it became official. The first chords of U2’s “In God’s Country” echoed over my radio and 89.3 FM The Current became the best radio station ever. I’d been listening non-stop for five or six days and though I loved what I was hearing, I’d yet to hear my favorite band ever. With those opening strains I stopped what I was doing and sent The Current an e-mail telling them the news: Best. Radio station. Ever.
They’re a Minnesota Public Radio station playing a vast mix of music–I hesitate to call it rock or indie rock or alternative rock because they’re all over the place. They also play some folk, electronica, country, hip-hop, straight-up pop–even oldies. It’s amazing. In the several days I’ve been listening I’ve liked about everything I’ve heard. Only once or twice have I turned to the radio and frowned. Most of the time I’m shaking my head no: “No, no, no–don’t stop a rockin’!”
And did you hear that first part: public radio. It’s non-commercial. Can you imagine the joy of not ever hearing obnoxious radio commercials? It’s the joy of NPR with hip music! They’re playing all sorts of music I like (Johnny Cash, Radiohead, Polyphonic Spree, Badly Drawn Boy), introducing me to lots of new stuff (Arcade Fire, Ted Leo & the Pharmacists, Arthur Yoria) and playing tons of local music (Low, Valet, The Olympic Hopefuls).
I never have to listen to another pathetic endorsement from a Cities 97 DJ (”You know, when I want to put my hair in dreads, I call the pros over at…”). I never have to listen to Drive 105 play another single into the ground. I can listen to good music and get the weather and news. Sorry iPod, you’re looking lonely.
The Pulse of the Twin Cities has a lengthy interview with the staff of 89.3 FM and the Star Trib has a factually inaccurate little piece. You can also listen online, supposedly (I’ve yet to get the stream to play).
7 Responses to “Best Radio Station Ever”
By Josh on Feb 2, 2005
I can’t get the stream to work either. Odd. I want to hear this. It sounds really cool.
I don’t know too many who prefer the radio to their iPod, but commercial-free radio that plays the type of music you’re talking about is really rare. Still, they only have 3000 songs currently, which is hardly half what I know your iPod has right now.
The “when I want to put my hair in dreads” comment was awesome.
By kevin on Feb 2, 2005
Ah, but the difference between the iPod and the radio (as discussed in the Pulse article) is that I know everything that’s on my iPod, while the radio is a surprise. The radio can introduce me to new music–that’s a harder proposition on the iPod.
By tpy on Feb 2, 2005
A new coffeplace near me has introduced me to the joys of Radio Paradise (check it at radioparadise dot com) – it’s my new fav, but I’ll give 89.3 a shot.
By dave on Feb 2, 2005
I’m in total agreement, Kevin – 89.3 is the best thing to happen to local radio since, perhaps, ever. Good music, no commercials, and DJ’s that don’t annoy the heck out of me. I didn’t think a radio station like that would ever exist.
By dave on Feb 2, 2005
BTW, I can get the mono stream to work in Windows Media Player, but no luck with the AAC stream
By andy on Feb 2, 2005
i have heard others say it pales in comparison to Seattles KEXP
By Jim on Sep 1, 2005
The Current is the fourth-best station in the Twin Cities, but you don’t seem like you’d know that.