They said it was a myth....

So, as you may know, for 'lo these past 300 years, I've been on an epic quest for a radio station that doesn't make me want to spoon my eyeballs out, a la Fish Mooney. ::sorry...spoilers:: Awhile back, I even lamented the fact that San Antonio radio stations were worse than the ones in Podunk, AZ. Well, I think I may have found the exception to the rule.

It was a cold February day and, as per usual, I had forgotten to connect my mp3 player or phone to the jack and I was already barreling down Highway 90. Haphazardly, I began pushing the seek on my radio and, after a few stations, the search landed on a station that was mostly static with a hint of awesome. I figured it was a college station with shitty reception so I kept searching....and ended up listening through "Raspberry Beret" for the umpteenth time. ::sigh:: I used to like that song so much....

Fast forward to three days ago....I'm on my way to the gym and again, my radio lands on 103.3 but this time, there's no static and it's basically playing everything in my music collection....well, not the questionable stuff, but considering it's an alt rock station, I guess it's too much to ask to have them play the stray Selena Gomez song. Although, that would be fun...if for no other reason than to troll the hipster snobs who would probably also enjoy this station.

In summation, The App -- that's the "name" of the station -- plays the requisite amount of Weezer and Phoenix, an acceptable quota of early 90s grunge, very little repetition, and a bunch of new stuff I'm digging. And, for the next 10,000 songs, they are commercial free. Fuck yeah. I mean, I don't begrudge radio stations commercials, because they kind of need that shit to survive but, honestly, like everyone else, I don't enjoy commercials. Especially that damn "Cutie Curl" one. Fuck those guys, even if their product is amazingly delicious and healthy.

Anyway, here are few songs that they play that have found their way onto my list (i.e., the ever-growing list of music that I don't have enough storage space for). Enjoy!

"Beggin for Thread" by BANKS

"Cigarette Dreams" by Cage the Elephant

"Dangerous" by Big Data feat. Joywave

There's more but I think that's enough for now. Happy Saturday, Music Sluts!

Oh, and by the way, tomorrow is Daylight Savings Time. I won't get into how much I hate this antiquated bullshit but I will remind you to go to bed early tomorrow so your Monday isn't all fucked up. I wish I was back in Arizona....then I wouldn't have to deal with this nonsense....

Special Edition: Adam's Rant - Grimes New Song

You may remember from an earlier Adam's Rant (approximately 2 years ago -- again, sorry about the hiatus....I was seriously trying to get my shit together), I introduced you to Grimes on the premise that, since I like her dreamy dubstep, you must hear it, too. In case you didn't know, last month, Grimes released her first song in .... well, approximately 2 years (apparently, that's how long it takes to get your shit together). Well, roughly two weeks ago, I got the following message on the Facebook:

Clearly, Adam was distressed. Like ALL CAPS distressed. Oh my.

To be honest, I hadn't taken the time to listen to the new track, "Go" ft. Blood Diamonds. Sure, I shared it on social media and filed it away to listen to later. Later turned out to be over this past weekend.



First, let me just say -- and this may be to Adam's dismay -- I actually really liked it. But I do understand where he's coming from and he made valid points. No, it is not typical Grimes. The strange yet ethereal vocals a la Alex Winston mixed with Enya....are gone. Not that the vocals on "Go" are bad, it's just -- they're too pretty. I know that doesn't make sense so let me elaborate. If anyone has seen the new "Les Miserables" film, I'm just going to use that as an example. There are scores of people who could sing "I Dreamed A Dream" better than Anne Hathaway, but the fact that her voice broke in places made the song better. It is possible to sacrifice prettiness for raw feeling. It almost sounds like a different person at times. Of course, on the positive side, it does demonstrate her range and I'm not hating hearing her sing at full voice.

The actual music is cool but I feel like I've heard it before. It's very similar to Katy Perry's "Dark Horse" or, let's be honest, any R&B duet with a solo female artist--especially a soprano. Please don't get me started on Katy Perry. I will say only one thing about her -- she knows how to get on the fucking radio. And I would say that this song definitely was aiming for the radio.

As for the Rihanna comment.....Oh my god totally. Don't get me wrong...I like Rihanna. She has a unique voice -- but so does Grimes. I think it really underscores the sorry state of the mainstream music industry that they feel they need to latch on to the hottest artist of the day just to sell music. Then, in turn, new artists feel that in order to be noticed they need to emulate what's already out there. Culture doesn't evolve with this mindset. It just sort of festers until we get Justin Bieber.

But, although I deeply sympathize with Adam's disappointment, there is a silver lining. A bunch of people who have no idea who Grimes is may fall in love with the cozy familiarity of "Go," and then subsequently, her older stuff. I feel that this is a good thing.

Besides, it's only one song. I'll try to reserve full judgment until the album drops.

Oh, and Adam....If you do decide to put The Rumble Pack on the back burner and become a legendary dubstep artist, I will gladly man the vocoder.

Throwback Thursday: "Faith" by George Michael

So, I listen to the radio a lot. You know that. It's inevitable -- I pretty much cannot drive whatsoever without music so if I don't have my iPod (or, more accurately, I forget to plug my iPod in before I start driving), I'll turn on the radio. San Antonio radio stations, if possible, suck even more than Sierra Vista radio stations. The only alternative rock station.....is the worst rock station I have ever heard. And that's saying something. And the modern music stations really take the 80s part of the "80s, 90s, and today" tagline really seriously. If I'm driving, I can basically hear Prince, Cindy Lauper, Madonna, or all three within the span of an hour. Yes -- I am finally over "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun." It took nearly 27 years but -- yeah -- no more. Anyway, the other day, it's 5 am in the morning --I'm tired and I have already had to switch stations to avoid ::shudder:: "Moves Like Jagger" for the upteenth time in my life--and they play this little gem.

The 80s fashion in this video alone could cheer me up in a heartbeat. How did people take themselves seriously while wearing those jeans? And that jacket?! Oh, man...I'd hate to run into George Michael in a dark alley. Indeed, this song turned my dreary Monday morning into a feel-good adventure through one of the most poorly designed cities for torrential downpours. Surprisingly, I survived to drive another day. No, I don't recommend driving in SA.

It may not be a "Moonlight Sonata" or a "Bohemian Rhapsody" but it'll do. 'Cause I gotta have faith-ah-faith-ah-faith-ah.