mikeandtim

Rock Radio

Rock radio is so disappointing. I know this is something that is not lost on most people, but let me explain further.
FM radio is not nearly as popular as it once was. I don't think the format is entirely dead yet, but it is digging its own grave. (Interestingly, AM radio- mainly talk stations- is more popular than ever.)
Radio used to be a place where the DJ's loved music. They were "In the Know" about music and bands and for most of them DJing was much more than a job, it was a way to share their passion for a creative art with the rest of the world. However, for a variety of reasons it has been rendered the status of an annoying and repetitious medium primarily existing for the sake of its own ad revenue.
When was the last time a radio station played something risky? Something that the majority of its listeners were not familiar with? Let's take Radiohead for example. They have sold millions upon millions of albums worldwide, sell out concerts in a moments notice, and have released some of the best alternative rock music in the past 10 years. And yet, the only Radiohead song you are ever going to hear on the radio is "Creep". At one point in time you might have heard "High and Dry" as well- but not anymore. Clear Channel and Corporate America have ruined radio. It is perhaps the worst example of the attempted coexistence of art and capitalism.
This is my plea to rock radio: go back to the music. Stop playing rap music samples in the background everytime a DJ talks. Just let the DJ talk over silence. Play music that is original and groundbreaking, not Nickelback. Hire DJ's that are obsessed with music, not pop culture, not sex, not themselves; music. And do it quickly. The former playground of Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles, Elvis and countless others is but a glip on the listernership radar compared to the likes of Rush Limbaugh. And I like Limbaugh. But there is no way he should "outlisten" good rock radio. Put an end to it.. please.

posted by mikeandtim @ 10:04:00 PM