It's that time again when I play amateur music critic and list some songs that ought to be getting more airplay on Alternative and/or AAA radio (or if they're already getting a lot deserve it) -- its the essentila 11!
1. ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS -- GUSTER Why is this haunting, beautiful song struggling so much getting airplay while the inspid "Do You Love Me" is getting played to death.
2. OPTIONS -- GOMEZ A song that's slowly growing on me. Gomez's music is usaully deceptively simple, always more going on than you hear the first couple of times through.
3. ADOLESCENTS -- INCUBUS Probably the most critically underrated rock band. They consistently deliver on music that ts both challenging and tuneful. As unconventional in time signature as your average Radiohead song, and the melody goes into many unexpected places, but still very listenable.
4. WHIRRING -- THE JOY FORMIDABLE The song title says it all. A whorling dervish of a song that slowly builds to a frenzy.
5. BUTTERCUP -- LUCINDA WILLIAMS Veteran country rocker really pulls out all the stops on her latest album, with a smoking backup band, even on this relatively laid back track. (they really tear it up on "Seeing Black" especially the guitarists).
6. MAKE SOME NOISE -- BEASTIE BOYS They are so old school that they reach back to the 70's for their backing track, including a guest appearence by the cowbell.
7. FUTURE STARTS SLOW -- THE KILLS Allison Mosshart's original duo has a new album out and if this song is any indication, it's killer. Dead Weather fans won't be disappointed by this blusey stomp.
8. YOU ARE A TOURIST -- DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE Another deceptively sunny song from Death Cab.This is more uptempo than a lot of their recent music, with a memorable guitar riff anchoring the whole it.
9. APRIL FOOLS -- MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA I'm a bit puzzled, I'll admit. This is the song the modren rock stations are playing a more or less straight ahead rcoker on hte other hand ,,,
10. SIMPLE MATH -- MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA This is the song they made their first video off their new album, a dense, slowly building brooder that been growing on me slowly. Guess I'll put them both on.
11. GOT TO LOSE -- HOLLERADO The lyrics are rather silly, but this song rocks mightily and tunefully, like Weezer on a good day. Can't get this song outta my head.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
ARR March Madness -- CHDI vs. CJZN
In the West Regional #4 Seed CHDI of Edmonton meets #12 seed CJZN of Victoria BC for bragging rights of Western Canada. CHDI (Sonic 102.9) beat KTEG of Albequeque. CJZN (The Zone) beat KNRK of Salt Lake City (no pushover)Best of 10 head to head from their actual playlists.
CHDI plays SPIDERWEBS -- NO DOUBT CJZN plays LITHIUM -- NIRVANA Even factoring in how overplayed this song is how can I vote against Nirvana?
The rest CHDI on the left
DANI CALIFORNIA -- RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS VS. SCARED -- TRAGICALLY HIP The Hip's creepiest ballad from Day for Night almost upsets the Chili Peppers classic. Almost. 1-1 Tie.
BLEAK DECADES -- CYGNETS VS. LITTLE LION MAN -- MUMFORD & SONS The Cygnets are a local band and the title of the song just about sums it up. 2-1 Zone
BACK AGAINST THE WALL -- CAGE THE ELEPHANT VS. MONEYGRABBER -- FITZ & THE TANTRUMS Usually not down with reconstructed white sou, but this is special -- 3-1 Zone
COURAGE -- TRAGICALLY HIP VS. MOUNTAIN TOP -- BEDOUIN SOUNDCLASH I'll give the nod to the Hip on this one. 3-2 Zone
MY BODY -- YOUNG THE GIANT VS. COME DOWN -- BUSH. Bush is a real comedown. 3-3 Tie.
BELIEVE -- THE BRAVERY VS. STILL IN LOVE SONG -- THE STILLS My favorite Bravery song edges out a good song by the Stills 4-3 Sonic lead.
WHAT'S MY AGE AGAIN -- BLINK 182 VS. THE STAND -- MOTHER MOTHER 4-4 TIE.
LIVING IN A DREAM -- FINGER 11 VS. APRIL FOOLS -- MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA 5-4 Zone.
NICE TO KNOW YOU -- INCUBUS VS. END TO THE LIES -- JANE'S ADDICTION The new Jane's Addiction is interesting but a good song will beat an interesting one. TIE SCORE! OVERTIME!!!
Each station throws down the next three songs on their playlists
CHDI did N/A OK by USS, LIKE A STONE by AUDIOSLAVE and UNDERCOVER OF DARKNESS -- THE STROKES CJZN counters with IN PLACE OF A LESSER MAN -- STEADY AS SHE GOES -- THE RACONTEURS and SO FAR SO GOOD -- THORNLEY. Ooh that wasn't that good on either station's part. Let's try DOUBLE OVERTIME!!!
CDHI plays HARD SUN -- EDDIE VEDDER, HIGH AND DRY -- RADIOHEAD AND AMERICANARAMA -- HOLLERADO. Much better. But wait CJZN counters with THE FIXER -- PEARL JAM,, AMERICAN IDIOT -- GREEN DAY AND IF IT FEELS GOOD DO IT -- SLOAN
Both really good sets. But I must say I liked SONIC's set a bit better. CHDI wins!
CHDI plays SPIDERWEBS -- NO DOUBT CJZN plays LITHIUM -- NIRVANA Even factoring in how overplayed this song is how can I vote against Nirvana?
The rest CHDI on the left
DANI CALIFORNIA -- RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS VS. SCARED -- TRAGICALLY HIP The Hip's creepiest ballad from Day for Night almost upsets the Chili Peppers classic. Almost. 1-1 Tie.
BLEAK DECADES -- CYGNETS VS. LITTLE LION MAN -- MUMFORD & SONS The Cygnets are a local band and the title of the song just about sums it up. 2-1 Zone
BACK AGAINST THE WALL -- CAGE THE ELEPHANT VS. MONEYGRABBER -- FITZ & THE TANTRUMS Usually not down with reconstructed white sou, but this is special -- 3-1 Zone
COURAGE -- TRAGICALLY HIP VS. MOUNTAIN TOP -- BEDOUIN SOUNDCLASH I'll give the nod to the Hip on this one. 3-2 Zone
MY BODY -- YOUNG THE GIANT VS. COME DOWN -- BUSH. Bush is a real comedown. 3-3 Tie.
BELIEVE -- THE BRAVERY VS. STILL IN LOVE SONG -- THE STILLS My favorite Bravery song edges out a good song by the Stills 4-3 Sonic lead.
WHAT'S MY AGE AGAIN -- BLINK 182 VS. THE STAND -- MOTHER MOTHER 4-4 TIE.
LIVING IN A DREAM -- FINGER 11 VS. APRIL FOOLS -- MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA 5-4 Zone.
NICE TO KNOW YOU -- INCUBUS VS. END TO THE LIES -- JANE'S ADDICTION The new Jane's Addiction is interesting but a good song will beat an interesting one. TIE SCORE! OVERTIME!!!
Each station throws down the next three songs on their playlists
CHDI did N/A OK by USS, LIKE A STONE by AUDIOSLAVE and UNDERCOVER OF DARKNESS -- THE STROKES CJZN counters with IN PLACE OF A LESSER MAN -- STEADY AS SHE GOES -- THE RACONTEURS and SO FAR SO GOOD -- THORNLEY. Ooh that wasn't that good on either station's part. Let's try DOUBLE OVERTIME!!!
CDHI plays HARD SUN -- EDDIE VEDDER, HIGH AND DRY -- RADIOHEAD AND AMERICANARAMA -- HOLLERADO. Much better. But wait CJZN counters with THE FIXER -- PEARL JAM,, AMERICAN IDIOT -- GREEN DAY AND IF IT FEELS GOOD DO IT -- SLOAN
Both really good sets. But I must say I liked SONIC's set a bit better. CHDI wins!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
ARR March Madness-- WTFX vs, WWCD
Second round action in the Midwest Regional. #13 seed WTFX of Louisville ("The Fox") beat KTCL of Denver. # 12 seed WWCD (CD101) which beat CFEX of Calgary. Best of 10 head to head; songs from their playlists played at approximately the same time.
WTFX leads off with BEST OF YOU -- FOO FIGHTERS. CD101 plays 40 DAY DREAM BY EDWARD SHARPE AND THE MAGNETIC ZEROS. The Fox picks up the early lead.
WTFX is on the left.
SAVIOR -- RISE AGAINST VS. OMFG -- DELUKA Because Some songs are obscure because they're challenging. Some songs are obscure because they don't fit readily into genre preconceptions. Some songs are obscure because they;re really not that great. OMFG is the latter. The Fox pulls into a shocking 2-0 lead.
AROUND THE WORLD -- RHCP VS. WALKING WITH A GHOST -- TEGAN & SARA One of the Chili Peppers weaker songs go against Tegan & Sarah who I cant remember them having a bad songs. The Fox leads 2-1.
DUMB -- NIRVANA VS. ROPE --FOO FIGHTERS Good Nirvana song, but there's something special going on in hte New Foo Fighters album. Tied 2-2.
LITTLE LION MAN -- MUMFORD & SONS VS. GET SOME -- LYKKE LI Not buying the hype on LYKke Li. The Fox leads it 3-2
BIG EMPTY -- STONE TEMPLE PILOTS VS. APRIL FOOLS -- MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA It seems like "Ive Got Friends" was no fluke. Tied at 3-3
WHEN I'M GONE -- 3 DOORS DOWN VS. GOLD, GUNS, GIRLS -- METRIC cd101 finally takes the lead.
UNDISCLOSED DESIRE == MUSE VS. BEAUTIFUL WORLD -- DEVO Dredging up Devo deserves a window characger, 5-3 CD 101
LONGVIEW -- GREEN DAY VS. SUGARFOOT -- BLACK JOE LEWIS & THE HONEYBEARS Good songs, but Joe Louis knocks out the competition.
WWCD is in the sweet 16!
WTFX leads off with BEST OF YOU -- FOO FIGHTERS. CD101 plays 40 DAY DREAM BY EDWARD SHARPE AND THE MAGNETIC ZEROS. The Fox picks up the early lead.
WTFX is on the left.
SAVIOR -- RISE AGAINST VS. OMFG -- DELUKA Because Some songs are obscure because they're challenging. Some songs are obscure because they don't fit readily into genre preconceptions. Some songs are obscure because they;re really not that great. OMFG is the latter. The Fox pulls into a shocking 2-0 lead.
AROUND THE WORLD -- RHCP VS. WALKING WITH A GHOST -- TEGAN & SARA One of the Chili Peppers weaker songs go against Tegan & Sarah who I cant remember them having a bad songs. The Fox leads 2-1.
DUMB -- NIRVANA VS. ROPE --FOO FIGHTERS Good Nirvana song, but there's something special going on in hte New Foo Fighters album. Tied 2-2.
LITTLE LION MAN -- MUMFORD & SONS VS. GET SOME -- LYKKE LI Not buying the hype on LYKke Li. The Fox leads it 3-2
BIG EMPTY -- STONE TEMPLE PILOTS VS. APRIL FOOLS -- MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA It seems like "Ive Got Friends" was no fluke. Tied at 3-3
WHEN I'M GONE -- 3 DOORS DOWN VS. GOLD, GUNS, GIRLS -- METRIC cd101 finally takes the lead.
UNDISCLOSED DESIRE == MUSE VS. BEAUTIFUL WORLD -- DEVO Dredging up Devo deserves a window characger, 5-3 CD 101
LONGVIEW -- GREEN DAY VS. SUGARFOOT -- BLACK JOE LEWIS & THE HONEYBEARS Good songs, but Joe Louis knocks out the competition.
WWCD is in the sweet 16!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
ARR March Madness XETRA v. WSUN
Second round action in the South regional. #4 seed XETRA (Mexican call letters in case you're wondering) better known as 91x, which decisively beat WRKN of New Orleans faces #5 seed WSUN of Tampa, which beat KNXA of Fayetteville Akansas.
10 Songs off their playlist head to head. I pick the winners.
91X leads off with NICE TO KNOW YOU -- INCUBUS, WSUN leads off with HELP IS ON THE WAY -- RISE AGAINST. 91X wins the first round.
91x will continue to be on the left side.
BLACK HOLE SUN -- SOUNDGARDEN VS. LOSER -- BECK Both good, both overplayed, like Beck a hair better. 1-1 tie.
ALL YOU NEED IS NOW -- DURAN DURAN (!) VS., THE BALLAD OF MONA LISA -- PANIC AT THE DISCO. They're both -- uh -- sorta interesting. Can't choose tie.
DEAD MAN'S PARTY -- OINGO BOINGO VS. DON'T TREAD ON ME -- 311 Nice of 91x to dredge up Oingo Boingo from the neather reaches of the 80's, but "Don't Tread On Me" is also a track that doesn't get played enough and I like it a lot better. 1-2 WSUN
MAKE SOME NOISE -- BEASTIE BOYS VS. AIN'T NO REST FOR THE WICKED -- CAGE THE ELEPHANT Another really tough call. Love the retro 70s sound on the new Beasties, and I also love the pseudo blues of Cage the Elephant's strongest track. Draw.
1901 -- PHOENIX VS. SOMEBODY TOLD ME -- THE KILLERS Both catchy as hell, 1901 is just more original. 2-2 tie
ENJOY THE SILENCE -- DEPECHE MODE VS. OWN STEP CLOSER -- LINKIN PARK. This is probably going to be a controvesial call in many circles, but I actually prefer Linkin Park. 3-2 WSUN
SAY IT AIN'T SO -- WEEZER VS. THE GOOD LIFE -- THREE DAYS GRACE WSUN Should have gone for the kill. Instead they lay a fat pitch right down the middle and 91x hits it out of the park. 3-3 tie again.
STAY TOO LONG -- PLAN B VS. MY HERO -- FOO FIGHTERS My Hero is a staple of Alternative Rock radio for a reason. 4-3 WSUN.
WE USED TO WAIT -- ARCADE FIRE VS. ALL I WANT -- A DAY TO REMEMBER. All I Want is a pretty good punk-metal song, but this is Arcade Fire we're talking about. So this means -- this puppy's in overtime!
It comes down to which station plays the better 3 songs from the next three songs immediately following the 10 foregoing 10 songs.
91x plays SHAKE ME DOWN -- CAGE THE ELEPHANT, THE CAVE -- MUMFORD & SONS AND ALL YOU NEED IS NOW -- DURAN DURAN (AGAIN!)
WSUN plyas CARELESS WHISPER -- SEETHER (Yuck) LIGHTNING CRASHES -- LIVE and MY BODY -- YOUNG THE GIANT.
AND THE WINNER IS -- XETRA! Our second station reaching the Sweet 16.
10 Songs off their playlist head to head. I pick the winners.
91X leads off with NICE TO KNOW YOU -- INCUBUS, WSUN leads off with HELP IS ON THE WAY -- RISE AGAINST. 91X wins the first round.
91x will continue to be on the left side.
BLACK HOLE SUN -- SOUNDGARDEN VS. LOSER -- BECK Both good, both overplayed, like Beck a hair better. 1-1 tie.
ALL YOU NEED IS NOW -- DURAN DURAN (!) VS., THE BALLAD OF MONA LISA -- PANIC AT THE DISCO. They're both -- uh -- sorta interesting. Can't choose tie.
DEAD MAN'S PARTY -- OINGO BOINGO VS. DON'T TREAD ON ME -- 311 Nice of 91x to dredge up Oingo Boingo from the neather reaches of the 80's, but "Don't Tread On Me" is also a track that doesn't get played enough and I like it a lot better. 1-2 WSUN
MAKE SOME NOISE -- BEASTIE BOYS VS. AIN'T NO REST FOR THE WICKED -- CAGE THE ELEPHANT Another really tough call. Love the retro 70s sound on the new Beasties, and I also love the pseudo blues of Cage the Elephant's strongest track. Draw.
1901 -- PHOENIX VS. SOMEBODY TOLD ME -- THE KILLERS Both catchy as hell, 1901 is just more original. 2-2 tie
ENJOY THE SILENCE -- DEPECHE MODE VS. OWN STEP CLOSER -- LINKIN PARK. This is probably going to be a controvesial call in many circles, but I actually prefer Linkin Park. 3-2 WSUN
SAY IT AIN'T SO -- WEEZER VS. THE GOOD LIFE -- THREE DAYS GRACE WSUN Should have gone for the kill. Instead they lay a fat pitch right down the middle and 91x hits it out of the park. 3-3 tie again.
STAY TOO LONG -- PLAN B VS. MY HERO -- FOO FIGHTERS My Hero is a staple of Alternative Rock radio for a reason. 4-3 WSUN.
WE USED TO WAIT -- ARCADE FIRE VS. ALL I WANT -- A DAY TO REMEMBER. All I Want is a pretty good punk-metal song, but this is Arcade Fire we're talking about. So this means -- this puppy's in overtime!
It comes down to which station plays the better 3 songs from the next three songs immediately following the 10 foregoing 10 songs.
91x plays SHAKE ME DOWN -- CAGE THE ELEPHANT, THE CAVE -- MUMFORD & SONS AND ALL YOU NEED IS NOW -- DURAN DURAN (AGAIN!)
WSUN plyas CARELESS WHISPER -- SEETHER (Yuck) LIGHTNING CRASHES -- LIVE and MY BODY -- YOUNG THE GIANT.
AND THE WINNER IS -- XETRA! Our second station reaching the Sweet 16.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
ARR March Madness --- WXDX v. WPBZ
Time at last for round two action. In the East Regional #4 Seed WXDX of Pittsburgh meets #12 seed WPBZ of West Palm Beach. WXDX defeated Dayton's WXEG with no problem. WPBZ took out St. Louis' KPNT. As always this is best of 10 head to head from actual playlists in real time judged by yours truly. You're perfectly welcome to do your own judging and post your results in the comments section.
Let's get on with it.
WXDX leads off with WHAT IT'S LIKE -- EVERLAST. WPBZ counters with COMEDOWN -- BUSH. Yuck! WXDX wins this heat.
The rest of the WXDX songs on the left WPBZ on the right.
POLLY -- NIRVANA VS. HELP IS ON THE WAY -- RISE AGAINST. One of hte more disturbing Nirvana songs wins.
THE SWEATER SONG -- WEEZER VS. DO WHAT YOU DO -- MUDVANYE. You may be suprised that that I'm calling this one a tie. I hate that Weezer song that much.
PUMPED UP KICKS -- FOSTER THE PEOPLE VS. LIVE AND LET DIE -- GUNS AND ROSES A metal cover of a Wings song. Is this the best the Buzz can do. WXDX leads 3-0
COUNTNG BLUE CARS -- DISHWALLA VS. LAY ME DOWN -- DIRTY HEADS The Buzz finally gets on the board and cuts the lead to 3-1
ALL I WANT -- A DAY TO REMEMBER VS. MONEYTALKS -- AC/DC Not a bad AC/DC song but I like the Day to Rembmber song better. WXDX leads 4-1
STELLAR -- INCUBUS vs. HAR ME NOW -- HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD. Never trust a band in masks or makeup. WXDX wins 5 rounds and has one tie so that means that WXDX wins round two and is the first station to reach the Sweet 16.
Let's get on with it.
WXDX leads off with WHAT IT'S LIKE -- EVERLAST. WPBZ counters with COMEDOWN -- BUSH. Yuck! WXDX wins this heat.
The rest of the WXDX songs on the left WPBZ on the right.
POLLY -- NIRVANA VS. HELP IS ON THE WAY -- RISE AGAINST. One of hte more disturbing Nirvana songs wins.
THE SWEATER SONG -- WEEZER VS. DO WHAT YOU DO -- MUDVANYE. You may be suprised that that I'm calling this one a tie. I hate that Weezer song that much.
PUMPED UP KICKS -- FOSTER THE PEOPLE VS. LIVE AND LET DIE -- GUNS AND ROSES A metal cover of a Wings song. Is this the best the Buzz can do. WXDX leads 3-0
COUNTNG BLUE CARS -- DISHWALLA VS. LAY ME DOWN -- DIRTY HEADS The Buzz finally gets on the board and cuts the lead to 3-1
ALL I WANT -- A DAY TO REMEMBER VS. MONEYTALKS -- AC/DC Not a bad AC/DC song but I like the Day to Rembmber song better. WXDX leads 4-1
STELLAR -- INCUBUS vs. HAR ME NOW -- HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD. Never trust a band in masks or makeup. WXDX wins 5 rounds and has one tie so that means that WXDX wins round two and is the first station to reach the Sweet 16.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Alternative Rock Radio March Madness -- Round 1 recap
Some observations before going onto round two.
Some stations with fairly good reputatiosn fell in round one. A couple lost because they faced tough compettion (WBRU and WRFF had to face WFNX and WEQX in the first round). Some just stunk up the joint (WLUM, KROX, KRBZ) and one station that I thought was final four material (KNRK) sturggled to win over a weak Clear Channel Station (KRAB)
Speaking of which Clear Channel did all right -- advancing 6 stations to the 2nd round.
Any stations you think should have advanced? You're welcome to comment.
Some stations with fairly good reputatiosn fell in round one. A couple lost because they faced tough compettion (WBRU and WRFF had to face WFNX and WEQX in the first round). Some just stunk up the joint (WLUM, KROX, KRBZ) and one station that I thought was final four material (KNRK) sturggled to win over a weak Clear Channel Station (KRAB)
Speaking of which Clear Channel did all right -- advancing 6 stations to the 2nd round.
Any stations you think should have advanced? You're welcome to comment.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
ARR March Madness KROQ v. KRZQ
The last first round bout is between alt-rock giant KROQ of Los Angeles (#1 seed in the West Regional) and KRZQ (#16 Reno) who beat KSLG to get here. Should be interesting. As always head to head best of 10, songs from their playlest taken at a random time, but as close in time as pssible.
KROQ starts with SAVIOR --- RISE AGAINST. KRZQ counters with Pumped Up Kicks, a song that sounds like it belongs on a much hearder rcoking arrangement. KROQ 1-0
The rest, with KROQ on the left
LITTLE LION MAN -- MUMFORD & SONS vs. MAN IN THE BOX -- ALICE IN CHAINS. I'll pick British bluegrass over junkie grunge. KROQ is out frong 2-0
CARESS ME DOWN -- SUBLIME VS. OLD MAN - REDLIGHT KING I'm a sucker for Neil Young. KRZQ wins round.
WISH YOU WERE HERE -- INCUBUS VS. SONG 2 -- BLUR How can you resist the whoo-hoo? Tie score.
WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE -- GUNS & ROSES VS. TIGHTEN UP -- THE BLACK KEYS. Welcome to the Jungle is the one indisputable classic from Guns & Roses 3-2 ROQ.
I'M NOT OVER -- CAROLINA LIAR VS. JANE SAYS -- JANE'S ADDICTION. The Carolina Liar song is OK, but Jane's Addiction stumbled into a classic here. 3-3 tie
WAITING FOR THE END -- LINKIN PARK VS. EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD -- TEARS FOR FEARS. Cmon confess, you love Tears for Fears too! 4-3 KRZQ.
SEX AND CANDY -- MARCY PLAYGROUND VS. DESIRE -- U2 Desire beats out One Hit Blunder Marcy Playground. 5-3 KRZQ
ALL I WANT -- A DAY TO REMEMBER VS. BLUE MONDAY -- NEW ORDER I like A Day to Remember I really do. But Blue Monday is huge. KRZQ wins!
KROQ starts with SAVIOR --- RISE AGAINST. KRZQ counters with Pumped Up Kicks, a song that sounds like it belongs on a much hearder rcoking arrangement. KROQ 1-0
The rest, with KROQ on the left
LITTLE LION MAN -- MUMFORD & SONS vs. MAN IN THE BOX -- ALICE IN CHAINS. I'll pick British bluegrass over junkie grunge. KROQ is out frong 2-0
CARESS ME DOWN -- SUBLIME VS. OLD MAN - REDLIGHT KING I'm a sucker for Neil Young. KRZQ wins round.
WISH YOU WERE HERE -- INCUBUS VS. SONG 2 -- BLUR How can you resist the whoo-hoo? Tie score.
WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE -- GUNS & ROSES VS. TIGHTEN UP -- THE BLACK KEYS. Welcome to the Jungle is the one indisputable classic from Guns & Roses 3-2 ROQ.
I'M NOT OVER -- CAROLINA LIAR VS. JANE SAYS -- JANE'S ADDICTION. The Carolina Liar song is OK, but Jane's Addiction stumbled into a classic here. 3-3 tie
WAITING FOR THE END -- LINKIN PARK VS. EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD -- TEARS FOR FEARS. Cmon confess, you love Tears for Fears too! 4-3 KRZQ.
SEX AND CANDY -- MARCY PLAYGROUND VS. DESIRE -- U2 Desire beats out One Hit Blunder Marcy Playground. 5-3 KRZQ
ALL I WANT -- A DAY TO REMEMBER VS. BLUE MONDAY -- NEW ORDER I like A Day to Remember I really do. But Blue Monday is huge. KRZQ wins!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Alterantive Rock Radio March Madness KTBZ vs. KRXF
Now the final first round matchup in the Midwest regional. no.1 seed KTBZ is an old-school Clear Channel modern rock station from Houston. Loud and stupid. KRXF (The Buzz)is a alt rocker from the Bend, Oregon area, which won a hard fought battle against KNXX/WNXX out of Baton Rouge.
The Buzz starts off with UNDISCLOSED DESIRES -- MUSE. KRXF counters with SPACE ODDITY -- DAVID BOWIE. KRXF wins round 1.
Best of 10 head to head the Buzz on the left
SO FAR AWAY -- AVENGED SEVENFOLD VS. 1901 -- PHOENIX. RU Kidding me? KRXF 2-0
TIGHTEN UP -- THE BLACK KEYS VS. FAR BEHIND -- CANDLEBOX The Buzz finally wins one.
NEW LOW -- MIDDLE CLASS RUT VS. DONT LOOK BACK IN ANGER -- OASIS Not my favorite Oasis track. The Buzz ties it up.
AWAKE AND ALIVE -- SKILLET VS. MACHINE GUN BLUES -- SOCIAL DISTORTION I find Skillet interesting but not not interesting enough to compete against Social Distortion RXF leads 3-2.
COUNTRY SONG -- SEETHER VS. ALIEN -- PENNYWISE. I have a feeling that "Country Song" won't age well. RXF 4-2
UNDERCOVER OF DARKNESS -- THE STROKES VS. ROCK LOBSTER -- The B52'S.How can "Rock Lobster not win a head to head? RXF 5-2
SAY YOU'LL HAUNT ME -- STONE SOUR VS. THE DEVIL IN STICHES -- BAD RELIGION Bad Relition clinches it for KRXF, and if that wasn't enough WRXF had "Ever Fallen In Love With Someone" By the Buzzcocks.
Next the legendary KROQ takes on KRZQ.
The Buzz starts off with UNDISCLOSED DESIRES -- MUSE. KRXF counters with SPACE ODDITY -- DAVID BOWIE. KRXF wins round 1.
Best of 10 head to head the Buzz on the left
SO FAR AWAY -- AVENGED SEVENFOLD VS. 1901 -- PHOENIX. RU Kidding me? KRXF 2-0
TIGHTEN UP -- THE BLACK KEYS VS. FAR BEHIND -- CANDLEBOX The Buzz finally wins one.
NEW LOW -- MIDDLE CLASS RUT VS. DONT LOOK BACK IN ANGER -- OASIS Not my favorite Oasis track. The Buzz ties it up.
AWAKE AND ALIVE -- SKILLET VS. MACHINE GUN BLUES -- SOCIAL DISTORTION I find Skillet interesting but not not interesting enough to compete against Social Distortion RXF leads 3-2.
COUNTRY SONG -- SEETHER VS. ALIEN -- PENNYWISE. I have a feeling that "Country Song" won't age well. RXF 4-2
UNDERCOVER OF DARKNESS -- THE STROKES VS. ROCK LOBSTER -- The B52'S.How can "Rock Lobster not win a head to head? RXF 5-2
SAY YOU'LL HAUNT ME -- STONE SOUR VS. THE DEVIL IN STICHES -- BAD RELIGION Bad Relition clinches it for KRXF, and if that wasn't enough WRXF had "Ever Fallen In Love With Someone" By the Buzzcocks.
Next the legendary KROQ takes on KRZQ.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
ARR March Madness -- KYSR v. WIIS
The last first round matchup in the South Regional -- 1st seed KYSR of Los Angeles (yet another Clear Channel station) meets #16 seed WIIS who boasts that it located in the smallest market of any alternative rock station. They beat WARQ of Columbia, SC.
Best of 10, songs from their playlist, head to head
Both stations open with year songs KSRY with 1979 -- SMASHING PUMPKINS, WIIS with 1983 -- NEON TREES. 1989 never gets old. KSRY jumps out to an early lead.
Here's the rest -- KYSR on the left WIIS on the right
I WANT YOU TO -- WEEZER VS. BARRICADE -- INTERPOL One of my favorite Weezer songs, but extra credit to WIIS for playing Interpol. I'll give this to WIIS.
IF I HAD EYES -- JACK JOHSNON VS. ERECTION -- THE FAINT Gave The Faint a chance. Wasn't impressed. KYSR leads 2-1
RING OF FIRE -- SOCIAL DISTORTION vs. RECKONER -- RADIOHEAD. One of those Radiohead songs that gets airplay for a while and drops off the face of the earth. Definitely did not deserve it and I was happy to hear it on the radio again. Tie score
DOG DAYS ARE OVER -- FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE VS. YOU GOT ME -- CRASH KINGS KYSR regains the lead.
INTERSTATE LOVE SONG -- STONE TEMPLE PILOTS VS. GREATEST COMEBACK SINCE LAZARUS-- THE HOURS. One of life's great mysteries: why does STP still get airplay and the Replacements get none? Tied again.
EVERLONG -- FOO FIGHTERS VS. STYLO -- GORILLAZ. Gorillaz -- a cute idea that's outlived its usefulness KYSR leads 4-3
UNDERCOVER OF DARKNESS -- THE STROKES VS. DIGNITY -- NEW POLITICS No problem picking the Strokes. KYSR leads 5-3.
WHERE THE STREETS HAVE NO NAME -- U2 vs. FALLING AWAY -- Hugh Wilson (? -- Not certain) Unfortunately, they don't announce song titles in the Internet stream and there's no place on the website to look it up, so I'm making an educated guess at what WIIS was playing, No matter KYSR upsets WIIS and goes on to Round 2
Best of 10, songs from their playlist, head to head
Both stations open with year songs KSRY with 1979 -- SMASHING PUMPKINS, WIIS with 1983 -- NEON TREES. 1989 never gets old. KSRY jumps out to an early lead.
Here's the rest -- KYSR on the left WIIS on the right
I WANT YOU TO -- WEEZER VS. BARRICADE -- INTERPOL One of my favorite Weezer songs, but extra credit to WIIS for playing Interpol. I'll give this to WIIS.
IF I HAD EYES -- JACK JOHSNON VS. ERECTION -- THE FAINT Gave The Faint a chance. Wasn't impressed. KYSR leads 2-1
RING OF FIRE -- SOCIAL DISTORTION vs. RECKONER -- RADIOHEAD. One of those Radiohead songs that gets airplay for a while and drops off the face of the earth. Definitely did not deserve it and I was happy to hear it on the radio again. Tie score
DOG DAYS ARE OVER -- FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE VS. YOU GOT ME -- CRASH KINGS KYSR regains the lead.
INTERSTATE LOVE SONG -- STONE TEMPLE PILOTS VS. GREATEST COMEBACK SINCE LAZARUS-- THE HOURS. One of life's great mysteries: why does STP still get airplay and the Replacements get none? Tied again.
EVERLONG -- FOO FIGHTERS VS. STYLO -- GORILLAZ. Gorillaz -- a cute idea that's outlived its usefulness KYSR leads 4-3
UNDERCOVER OF DARKNESS -- THE STROKES VS. DIGNITY -- NEW POLITICS No problem picking the Strokes. KYSR leads 5-3.
WHERE THE STREETS HAVE NO NAME -- U2 vs. FALLING AWAY -- Hugh Wilson (? -- Not certain) Unfortunately, they don't announce song titles in the Internet stream and there's no place on the website to look it up, so I'm making an educated guess at what WIIS was playing, No matter KYSR upsets WIIS and goes on to Round 2
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
More craptastic simulcast news!
Buffalo's WLKK was never a true AAA station. More like a classic rock station for middle aged people who liked to complain that local radio stunk. Unfortunately these people enjoy kvetching more than actually listening to good radio when it comes along.
For myself I tuned in every now and then for a break from CFNY, sometimes admiring their daring at playing a deep cut, sometimes wishing they were a better station. Today I tuned it in only to hear right wing talk radio. Yes WBEN is now simulcasting.
"The Lake" is now on HD2 and of course the internet and may be heard here. As for WBEN -- may their ratings tank -- on both their frequencies.
For myself I tuned in every now and then for a break from CFNY, sometimes admiring their daring at playing a deep cut, sometimes wishing they were a better station. Today I tuned it in only to hear right wing talk radio. Yes WBEN is now simulcasting.
"The Lake" is now on HD2 and of course the internet and may be heard here. As for WBEN -- may their ratings tank -- on both their frequencies.
Alternative Rock Radio March Madness -- CFNY vs. CFLC
We're finally closing in on the end of first round action. In the East Regional #1 seed CFNY of Toronto "The Edge" (my home team so to speak, being in its listening range) meets CFLC "The Drive" of Kingston Ontario which beat WCCY of Portland Me. in the opening round. Just a reminder -- the seeds are based upon ratings & market size, cum when available, so that a low seed is not at all at a disadvantage, in fact the lack of ratings pressure may actually be an aid. Best of 10 head to head from their actual playlists taken at about the same time.
CFNY leads off with LOTUSFLOWER -- RADIOHEAD Apparently going for the kill early CFLC counters with BEVERLY HILLS -- WEEZER a song that gets unfairly slagged, but still it's up against Radiohead!
CFNY on the left CFLC on the right
LOST IN YOU -- 3 DAYS GRACE VS. MY BODY -- YOUNG THE GIANT, The Edge lets down its guard and tHE Drive lands a haymaker. Tie score.
ROPE -- FOO FIGHTERS VS. THE MIDDLE -- JIMMY EAT WORLD Love "The Middle" but "Rope" is in a different class. 2-1 CFNY
SCREAMING BLOODY MURDER -- SUM 41 VS. NO CARS GO -- ARCADE FIRE. Advantage CFLC.
I FEEL YOU -- SAM ROBERTS BAND VS. PUMPED UP KICKS -- FOSTER THE PEOPLE. The new Sam Roberts single still hasn't grown on me. The Drive takes the lead 3-2.
ABOUT A GIRL -- NIRVANA VS. GET LOOSE -- THE SALADS Nice little pop punk tune there, Salads, but not quite on Nirvana's level.
THE UNFORGIVEN -- METALLICA VS. ONE STEP CLOSER -- LINKIN PARK CFNY now leads 4-3.
HOME FOR A REST -- SPIRIT OF THE WEST VS. GOT TO LOSE -- HOLLERADO Never been much for Gaelic punk, even from the Pogues. Give this one to CFLC.
THE HAND THAT FEEDS -- NINE INCH NAILS VS. ULYSSES -- FRANZ FERDINAND. One of NIN's best vs. a flawed but meaty track from Franz Ferdinand. CFNY wins this one by a hair.
CRABUCKET -- K-OS VS. HEADSTONG -- TRAPT. Trapt? Really? Golliath slays David and CFNY advances to face -- OMG -- WFNX in Round 2.
CFNY leads off with LOTUSFLOWER -- RADIOHEAD Apparently going for the kill early CFLC counters with BEVERLY HILLS -- WEEZER a song that gets unfairly slagged, but still it's up against Radiohead!
CFNY on the left CFLC on the right
LOST IN YOU -- 3 DAYS GRACE VS. MY BODY -- YOUNG THE GIANT, The Edge lets down its guard and tHE Drive lands a haymaker. Tie score.
ROPE -- FOO FIGHTERS VS. THE MIDDLE -- JIMMY EAT WORLD Love "The Middle" but "Rope" is in a different class. 2-1 CFNY
SCREAMING BLOODY MURDER -- SUM 41 VS. NO CARS GO -- ARCADE FIRE. Advantage CFLC.
I FEEL YOU -- SAM ROBERTS BAND VS. PUMPED UP KICKS -- FOSTER THE PEOPLE. The new Sam Roberts single still hasn't grown on me. The Drive takes the lead 3-2.
ABOUT A GIRL -- NIRVANA VS. GET LOOSE -- THE SALADS Nice little pop punk tune there, Salads, but not quite on Nirvana's level.
THE UNFORGIVEN -- METALLICA VS. ONE STEP CLOSER -- LINKIN PARK CFNY now leads 4-3.
HOME FOR A REST -- SPIRIT OF THE WEST VS. GOT TO LOSE -- HOLLERADO Never been much for Gaelic punk, even from the Pogues. Give this one to CFLC.
THE HAND THAT FEEDS -- NINE INCH NAILS VS. ULYSSES -- FRANZ FERDINAND. One of NIN's best vs. a flawed but meaty track from Franz Ferdinand. CFNY wins this one by a hair.
CRABUCKET -- K-OS VS. HEADSTONG -- TRAPT. Trapt? Really? Golliath slays David and CFNY advances to face -- OMG -- WFNX in Round 2.
Monday, April 11, 2011
ARR -- KITS v. KQLZ
#2 seed KITS I'm sure you're familar with #15 seed KQLZ used to be called "The Viris" and is Boise, Idaho's alt rock station. Best of 10 head to head from their playlists.
KITS starts off with BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS -- GREEN DAY. The station formerly known as the Virus counters with DOWN --311. KITS wins round 1.
Here's the rest KITS on the left
TIGHTEN UP -- THE BLACK KEYS VS. LOUDER THAN EVER -- COLD WAR KIDS -- Wrong Cold War Kids song KITS 2-0
i WILL BUY YOU A NEW LIFE -- EVERCLEAR VS.IN THE END -- LINKIN PARKD Everclear got real about poverty Linkin Park gets self righteous. KITS 3-0
THE CAVE -- MUMFORD & SONS VS. INSANE IN THE BRAIN -- CYPRESS HILL Love them both. Can't choose.
NEVER THERE- CAKE VS. BACK AGAINST THE WALL -- CAGE THE ELEPHANT LIVE 105 leads 4-0
MY HERO -- FOO FIGHTERS VS.SONG 2 -- BLUR Nothing really wrong with what KQLX is playing -- it's just that KITS is playing a monster set.
LAST NITE -- THE STROKES VS. BLURRY -- PUDDLE OF MUDD Live 105 secures a spot in the second round in the West semifinal
NEXT: CFNY vs CFLC
KITS starts off with BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS -- GREEN DAY. The station formerly known as the Virus counters with DOWN --311. KITS wins round 1.
Here's the rest KITS on the left
TIGHTEN UP -- THE BLACK KEYS VS. LOUDER THAN EVER -- COLD WAR KIDS -- Wrong Cold War Kids song KITS 2-0
i WILL BUY YOU A NEW LIFE -- EVERCLEAR VS.IN THE END -- LINKIN PARKD Everclear got real about poverty Linkin Park gets self righteous. KITS 3-0
THE CAVE -- MUMFORD & SONS VS. INSANE IN THE BRAIN -- CYPRESS HILL Love them both. Can't choose.
NEVER THERE- CAKE VS. BACK AGAINST THE WALL -- CAGE THE ELEPHANT LIVE 105 leads 4-0
MY HERO -- FOO FIGHTERS VS.SONG 2 -- BLUR Nothing really wrong with what KQLX is playing -- it's just that KITS is playing a monster set.
LAST NITE -- THE STROKES VS. BLURRY -- PUDDLE OF MUDD Live 105 secures a spot in the second round in the West semifinal
NEXT: CFNY vs CFLC
Sunday, April 10, 2011
ARR March Madness -- WQRX vs. WZNE
#2 Seed Q101 from Chicago meets #15 seed Rochester NY's Zone in First Round Midwest Regional action. Someone has to win this. This is potentially a race to the bottom.
Q101 leads off with MACHINE GUN BLUES -- SOCIAL DISTORTION. The Zone counters with THE CAVE -- MUMFORD & SONS. They both lead off strong and it's a draw.
From here on out WQRX is on the left
SOBER -- TOOL VS. BREATHE -- PRODIGY Q101 is finally in the lead.
YOUR SURRENDER -- NEON TREES VS. COUNTRY SONG -- SEETHER They even seethe on their country song. Neon Trees gives WQRX a 2-0 lead.
WAITING FOR THE END -- LINKIN PARK VS. JUDITH -- A PERFECT CIRCLE. A Perfect Circle> Now that's a band that doesn't get a lot of airplay. 2-1 Q101.
BRASS MONKEY -- BEASTIE BOYS VS. BLOW UP THE OUTSIDE WORLD -- SOUNDGARDEN. "Blow Up" blows away Beasties. 2-2 tie.
NEW LOW -- MIDDLE CLASS RUT VS. ROLLING IN THE DEEP -- ADELE It's a tight one, but "New Low" gets the slight edge 3-2 Q101.
CHERUB ROCK -- SMASHING PUMPKINS VS. COUNTRY BOY -- AARON LEWIS That makes it 4-2 Q101.
ADOLESCENTS -- INCUBUS VS. NO SLEEP TILL BROOKLYN -- BEASTIE BOYS. Incubus keeps getting better. They do tricky time signatures so well you have to listen closely to realize how far from ordinary they've come. Sublety was not on the Beastie Boy's agenda on their first album. 5-2 Q101 and that means they've clinched a berth in round 2.
Q101 leads off with MACHINE GUN BLUES -- SOCIAL DISTORTION. The Zone counters with THE CAVE -- MUMFORD & SONS. They both lead off strong and it's a draw.
From here on out WQRX is on the left
SOBER -- TOOL VS. BREATHE -- PRODIGY Q101 is finally in the lead.
YOUR SURRENDER -- NEON TREES VS. COUNTRY SONG -- SEETHER They even seethe on their country song. Neon Trees gives WQRX a 2-0 lead.
WAITING FOR THE END -- LINKIN PARK VS. JUDITH -- A PERFECT CIRCLE. A Perfect Circle> Now that's a band that doesn't get a lot of airplay. 2-1 Q101.
BRASS MONKEY -- BEASTIE BOYS VS. BLOW UP THE OUTSIDE WORLD -- SOUNDGARDEN. "Blow Up" blows away Beasties. 2-2 tie.
NEW LOW -- MIDDLE CLASS RUT VS. ROLLING IN THE DEEP -- ADELE It's a tight one, but "New Low" gets the slight edge 3-2 Q101.
CHERUB ROCK -- SMASHING PUMPKINS VS. COUNTRY BOY -- AARON LEWIS That makes it 4-2 Q101.
ADOLESCENTS -- INCUBUS VS. NO SLEEP TILL BROOKLYN -- BEASTIE BOYS. Incubus keeps getting better. They do tricky time signatures so well you have to listen closely to realize how far from ordinary they've come. Sublety was not on the Beastie Boy's agenda on their first album. 5-2 Q101 and that means they've clinched a berth in round 2.
ARR March Madness -- KDGE vs. WTZB
#2 Seed KDGE (Clear Channel -- Dallas) meets #15 Seed WTZB (Clear Channel - Sarasota. First round South Regional. Might as well get it over with. Best of 10 from their actual playlists. Head to Head. KDGE on the left.
I COME FROM THE WATER -- TOADIES VS. I WILL NOT BOW -- BREAKING BENJAMIN The Edge is out to an early lead.
INTO THE OCEAN -- BLUE OCTOBER VS. SPOONMAN -- SOUNDGARDEN. WTBZ ties it up.
TIGHTEN UP -- THE BLACK KEYS VS. WELCOME TO THE BLACK PARADE -- MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE The Edge has the edge 2-1
CREEP -- STONE TEMPLE PILOTS VS. 1901 -- PHOENIX. Oops, wrong "Creep" Tied 2-2.
CLINT EASTWOOD -- GORILLAZ VS. LITHIUM -- NIRVANA. Nirvana edges out Gorillaz. WTZB leads 3-2
SHE -- GREEN DAY VS. NICE TO KNOW YOU -- INCUBUS. Another close call goes to WTZB -- 4-2 now.
WAITING FOR THE END -- LINKIN PARK VS. MY BODY -- YOUNG THE GIANT not so close call for WTBZ 5-2.
JUST A GIRL -- NO DOUBT VS. BREAKING THE GIRL -- RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS. WTZB prevails with a solid, but rather uninspired set.
NEXT: An even more dire matchup: WQRX vs. WZNE
I COME FROM THE WATER -- TOADIES VS. I WILL NOT BOW -- BREAKING BENJAMIN The Edge is out to an early lead.
INTO THE OCEAN -- BLUE OCTOBER VS. SPOONMAN -- SOUNDGARDEN. WTBZ ties it up.
TIGHTEN UP -- THE BLACK KEYS VS. WELCOME TO THE BLACK PARADE -- MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE The Edge has the edge 2-1
CREEP -- STONE TEMPLE PILOTS VS. 1901 -- PHOENIX. Oops, wrong "Creep" Tied 2-2.
CLINT EASTWOOD -- GORILLAZ VS. LITHIUM -- NIRVANA. Nirvana edges out Gorillaz. WTZB leads 3-2
SHE -- GREEN DAY VS. NICE TO KNOW YOU -- INCUBUS. Another close call goes to WTZB -- 4-2 now.
WAITING FOR THE END -- LINKIN PARK VS. MY BODY -- YOUNG THE GIANT not so close call for WTBZ 5-2.
JUST A GIRL -- NO DOUBT VS. BREAKING THE GIRL -- RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS. WTZB prevails with a solid, but rather uninspired set.
NEXT: An even more dire matchup: WQRX vs. WZNE
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Alt Rock Radio March Madness WRFF vs. WEQX
This is big WRFF is the pioneer of Clear Channel's newfound turn away from hard rock domination of their alternative stations. WEQX is often
WRFF leads off with THE FEEL GOOD DRAG -- ANBERLIN. EQX counters with SANTA MONICA --EVERCLEAR. WEQX wins the first heat
WRFF is on the left from here on out.
LAZY EYE -- SILVERSUN PICKUPS VS. THE REELING -- PASSION PIT Never got into "The Reeling". Don't knowy why. Tie score.
EVERYTHING ZEN -- BUSH VS. LIFE ON A CHAIN -- WRFF tosses away the lead.
MISERY BUSINESS -- PARAMORE VS. UNITED NATIONS OF SOUND -- RICHARD ASHCROFT Sometimes cult artists only have a cult for a reason.
NEW LOW -- MIDDLE CLASS RUT VS. LYLA -- OASIS Not Oasis' best, and I'm not a huge Oasis fan. WRFF leads 3-2
EINSTEIN ON THE BEACH -- COUNTING CROWS VS. SOLITARY GUN -- BAND OF HORSES. Not counting on the crows. 3-3 tie
YOU WILL LEAVE A MARK -- THE POSTAL SERVICE VS. LOTUS FLOWER -- RADIOHEAD WEQX retakes the lead 4-3
SEVEN NATION ARMY -- THE WHITE STRIPES VS. SNOW (HEY OH) -- RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS The battle of the overplayed. White Stripes wins it. Tied again.
MY BODY -- YOUNG THE GIANT VS. SHAKE ME DOWN -- CAGE THE ELEPHANT Just never warmed up to the new Cage the Elephant. WRFF pulls ahead.
STACKED ACTORS -- FOO FIGHTERS VS. INCINERATE -- SONIC YOUTH Well played, EQX, well played. That means OVERTIME!
WRFF plays THE BOYS OF SUMMER -- THE ATARIS, HOWLIN FOR YOU -- THE WHITE STRIPES and GOOD -- BETTER THAN EZRA ; WEQX plays ROLLING IN THE DEEP -- ADELE, GIRLS AND BOYS --BLUR, AND THE DISTANCE -- CAKE. Hmm each has an awesome current, and a very good recurrent. WRRF played a lame punkish cover of a Don Henley song WEQX played Blur's lame first single. No clear winner here so it's
DOUBLE OVERTIME !!!
WRFF plays ISLANDS IN THE SUN -- WEEZER, THE BALLAD OF MONA LISA -- PANIC AT THE DISCO and ITS BEEN A WHILE -- STAIND; WEQX plays GIMME SYMPATHY -- MUSE, THE WIDOW --MARS VOLTA and UNDONE (THE SWEATER SONG) -- WEEZER
Pulling out Mars Volta tips the balance -- the winner is -- WEQX!
WRFF leads off with THE FEEL GOOD DRAG -- ANBERLIN. EQX counters with SANTA MONICA --EVERCLEAR. WEQX wins the first heat
WRFF is on the left from here on out.
LAZY EYE -- SILVERSUN PICKUPS VS. THE REELING -- PASSION PIT Never got into "The Reeling". Don't knowy why. Tie score.
EVERYTHING ZEN -- BUSH VS. LIFE ON A CHAIN -- WRFF tosses away the lead.
MISERY BUSINESS -- PARAMORE VS. UNITED NATIONS OF SOUND -- RICHARD ASHCROFT Sometimes cult artists only have a cult for a reason.
NEW LOW -- MIDDLE CLASS RUT VS. LYLA -- OASIS Not Oasis' best, and I'm not a huge Oasis fan. WRFF leads 3-2
EINSTEIN ON THE BEACH -- COUNTING CROWS VS. SOLITARY GUN -- BAND OF HORSES. Not counting on the crows. 3-3 tie
YOU WILL LEAVE A MARK -- THE POSTAL SERVICE VS. LOTUS FLOWER -- RADIOHEAD WEQX retakes the lead 4-3
SEVEN NATION ARMY -- THE WHITE STRIPES VS. SNOW (HEY OH) -- RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS The battle of the overplayed. White Stripes wins it. Tied again.
MY BODY -- YOUNG THE GIANT VS. SHAKE ME DOWN -- CAGE THE ELEPHANT Just never warmed up to the new Cage the Elephant. WRFF pulls ahead.
STACKED ACTORS -- FOO FIGHTERS VS. INCINERATE -- SONIC YOUTH Well played, EQX, well played. That means OVERTIME!
WRFF plays THE BOYS OF SUMMER -- THE ATARIS, HOWLIN FOR YOU -- THE WHITE STRIPES and GOOD -- BETTER THAN EZRA ; WEQX plays ROLLING IN THE DEEP -- ADELE, GIRLS AND BOYS --BLUR, AND THE DISTANCE -- CAKE. Hmm each has an awesome current, and a very good recurrent. WRRF played a lame punkish cover of a Don Henley song WEQX played Blur's lame first single. No clear winner here so it's
DOUBLE OVERTIME !!!
WRFF plays ISLANDS IN THE SUN -- WEEZER, THE BALLAD OF MONA LISA -- PANIC AT THE DISCO and ITS BEEN A WHILE -- STAIND; WEQX plays GIMME SYMPATHY -- MUSE, THE WIDOW --MARS VOLTA and UNDONE (THE SWEATER SONG) -- WEEZER
Pulling out Mars Volta tips the balance -- the winner is -- WEQX!
ARR March Madness -- CIMX v. KQRA
Oops before we get to the battle royale between WRFF and WEQX, I forgot to do the Midwest regional matchup between Windsor/Detroit's CIMX (seeded third) and KQRA of Springfield Mo. (seeded 14th) They're both active rock leaners, but CIMX does it without the pictures of the half-naked ladies, so you gotta respect that, especially since KQRA's daily feature goes by the subtle name "The Daily Nail". Best of 10 head to head from their actual playlists. CIMX will be on your left.
CIMX leads off with HEAR ME NOW -- HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD (This is going to be painful). KQRA counters with LONGVIEW -- GREEN DAY (At least this station is trying), KQRA goes out to an early lead.
The rest...
FALLS APART -- THOUSAND FOOT KRUTCH vs. I DISAPPEAR -- METALLICA Actually the Thousand Foot Krutch song wasn't bad, but Metallica is Metallica KQRA 2-0
BRASS MONKEY -- BEASTIE BOYS VS. DIAMOND EYES -- SHINEDOWN. The Beastie Boys gave Shinedown a beatdown.
CLOSER -- ANBERLIN vs. TIGHTEN UP -- THE BLACK KEYS KQRA 3-1
BAT COUNTRY -- AVENGED SEVENFOLD VS. BLACK -- PEARL JAM The winners here are so obvious I can't think of anything interestng to say KQRA 4-1
BLEED IT OUT -- LINKIN PARK (Easily their worst song) vs. PARDON ME -- INCUBUS
DIAMOND EYES -- SHINEDOWN (Again? Ick!) vs. TOO BAD -- NICKELBACK That's it. I'm calling it for KQRA. Couldn't even come up with something better than Nickelback!
CIMX leads off with HEAR ME NOW -- HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD (This is going to be painful). KQRA counters with LONGVIEW -- GREEN DAY (At least this station is trying), KQRA goes out to an early lead.
The rest...
FALLS APART -- THOUSAND FOOT KRUTCH vs. I DISAPPEAR -- METALLICA Actually the Thousand Foot Krutch song wasn't bad, but Metallica is Metallica KQRA 2-0
BRASS MONKEY -- BEASTIE BOYS VS. DIAMOND EYES -- SHINEDOWN. The Beastie Boys gave Shinedown a beatdown.
CLOSER -- ANBERLIN vs. TIGHTEN UP -- THE BLACK KEYS KQRA 3-1
BAT COUNTRY -- AVENGED SEVENFOLD VS. BLACK -- PEARL JAM The winners here are so obvious I can't think of anything interestng to say KQRA 4-1
BLEED IT OUT -- LINKIN PARK (Easily their worst song) vs. PARDON ME -- INCUBUS
DIAMOND EYES -- SHINEDOWN (Again? Ick!) vs. TOO BAD -- NICKELBACK That's it. I'm calling it for KQRA. Couldn't even come up with something better than Nickelback!
Friday, April 8, 2011
ARR March Madness -- KNDD VS. KRXP
This is a matchup in the West Regional. KNDD is the #3 seed and has quite the pedigree, but the #14 seed KRXP is no pushover, it's a feisty little station serving Colorado Springs. Best of 10, head to head from their actual playlists. Let's see how they do.
The End leads off with Howlin for You -- the Black Keys KRXP counters with Savior by Rise Against. Score one for The End
KNDD remains on the left
HUNGER STRIKE -- TEMPLE OF THE DOG VS. WHEN I COME AROUND -- GREEN DAY Wow. Not an easy choice, but "Hunger Strike" 2-0 for The End
HANDLEBARS -- FLOBOTS VS. DONT YOU FORGET ABOUT ME -- SIMPLE MINDS Ahh Simple Minds, one of the most overrated 80's bands, and this is one of the better songs -- and they didn't even write it! Their fans cried sellout, but when your prior output is a droning river of tedium with lyrics like "burning bridge and ecstasy, crashing beats and fantasy" then it's time to call the song doctor. 3-0 KNDD.
LOST IN MY HEAD -- THE HEAD AND THE HEART VS. YOUNG BLOOD -- NAKED AND THE FAMOUS Battle of the indies. They're pretty even but I'll throw a bone to KRXP.
LONGVIEW -- GREEN DAY VS. I ALONE -- LIVE Snotty beats overwrought any time. 4-1 KNND
UPRISING -- MUSE VS. THINGS CAN ONLY GET BETTER -- HOWARD JONES Speaking of overwrought, KNND follows up with Muse. But Howard Jones? Yuck. 5-1 KNND
BIG EMPTY -- STONE TEMPLE PILOTS VS. HOWLIN FOR YOU -- THE BLACK KEYS. "BIG EMPTY" is a fairly good description of STP. 5-2 KNDD.
MY BODY -- YOUNG THE GIANT VS. THE HIGH ROAD -- BROKEN BELLS I'll give the edge to Young the Giant and the win to The legendary End.
Next: East Regional action -- a real barnburner WRFF v. WEQX
The End leads off with Howlin for You -- the Black Keys KRXP counters with Savior by Rise Against. Score one for The End
KNDD remains on the left
HUNGER STRIKE -- TEMPLE OF THE DOG VS. WHEN I COME AROUND -- GREEN DAY Wow. Not an easy choice, but "Hunger Strike" 2-0 for The End
HANDLEBARS -- FLOBOTS VS. DONT YOU FORGET ABOUT ME -- SIMPLE MINDS Ahh Simple Minds, one of the most overrated 80's bands, and this is one of the better songs -- and they didn't even write it! Their fans cried sellout, but when your prior output is a droning river of tedium with lyrics like "burning bridge and ecstasy, crashing beats and fantasy" then it's time to call the song doctor. 3-0 KNDD.
LOST IN MY HEAD -- THE HEAD AND THE HEART VS. YOUNG BLOOD -- NAKED AND THE FAMOUS Battle of the indies. They're pretty even but I'll throw a bone to KRXP.
LONGVIEW -- GREEN DAY VS. I ALONE -- LIVE Snotty beats overwrought any time. 4-1 KNND
UPRISING -- MUSE VS. THINGS CAN ONLY GET BETTER -- HOWARD JONES Speaking of overwrought, KNND follows up with Muse. But Howard Jones? Yuck. 5-1 KNND
BIG EMPTY -- STONE TEMPLE PILOTS VS. HOWLIN FOR YOU -- THE BLACK KEYS. "BIG EMPTY" is a fairly good description of STP. 5-2 KNDD.
MY BODY -- YOUNG THE GIANT VS. THE HIGH ROAD -- BROKEN BELLS I'll give the edge to Young the Giant and the win to The legendary End.
Next: East Regional action -- a real barnburner WRFF v. WEQX
Thursday, April 7, 2011
ARR March Madness WWDC v. WTZR
#3 Seed in the South DC's WWDC, meets a feisty challenger from the Great Smokies WTZR Johnson City Tennesee Best of 10 head to head. actual playlists blah blah blah
WWDC starts with SO COLD -- BREAKING BENJAMIN WTZR counters with NEW DIVIDE -- LINKIN PARK Hmm. I's slightly less indiffrent to Linkin Park so WTZR wins the first round.
Here's the rest WWDC on the left
THE GOOD LEFT UNDONE -- RISE AGAINST VS. GOT ME WRONG -- ALICE IN CHAINS i'll go with punk with a social conscience on this one. Tie score.
THE CAVE -- MUNFORD & SONS VS. HELP IS ON THE WAY -- RISE AGAINST But not this time WWDC leads 2-1
TIGHTEN UP -- THE BLACK KEYS VS. KNOCKING ON HEAVENS DOOR -- GUNS & ROSES. Not even close. WWDC 3-1
IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT -- R.E.M. VS. HOLD ON -- ALL THAT REMAINS Kudos to WWDC for playing REM, a band that's largely been abandoned to AAA.
NEW LOW -- MIDDLE CLASS RUT VS. RENEGADES OF FUNK -- RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE Even the weakest Rage songs make a mighty progressive din. WTZR by a hair.
EPIC -- FAITH NO MORE VS. FEED THE MACHINE -- RED How can you vote against a Prog Metal milestone? WWDC up by 5-2. One more victory clinches it.
DEAD AND BLOATED -- STONE TEMPLE PILOTS VS. MONKEY WRENCH -- FOO FIGHTERS FF over STP of course 5-3 WWDC
LISZTOMANIA -- PHOENIX VS. BURN -- PAPA ROACH WWDC wins 6-3!
WWDC starts with SO COLD -- BREAKING BENJAMIN WTZR counters with NEW DIVIDE -- LINKIN PARK Hmm. I's slightly less indiffrent to Linkin Park so WTZR wins the first round.
Here's the rest WWDC on the left
THE GOOD LEFT UNDONE -- RISE AGAINST VS. GOT ME WRONG -- ALICE IN CHAINS i'll go with punk with a social conscience on this one. Tie score.
THE CAVE -- MUNFORD & SONS VS. HELP IS ON THE WAY -- RISE AGAINST But not this time WWDC leads 2-1
TIGHTEN UP -- THE BLACK KEYS VS. KNOCKING ON HEAVENS DOOR -- GUNS & ROSES. Not even close. WWDC 3-1
IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT -- R.E.M. VS. HOLD ON -- ALL THAT REMAINS Kudos to WWDC for playing REM, a band that's largely been abandoned to AAA.
NEW LOW -- MIDDLE CLASS RUT VS. RENEGADES OF FUNK -- RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE Even the weakest Rage songs make a mighty progressive din. WTZR by a hair.
EPIC -- FAITH NO MORE VS. FEED THE MACHINE -- RED How can you vote against a Prog Metal milestone? WWDC up by 5-2. One more victory clinches it.
DEAD AND BLOATED -- STONE TEMPLE PILOTS VS. MONKEY WRENCH -- FOO FIGHTERS FF over STP of course 5-3 WWDC
LISZTOMANIA -- PHOENIX VS. BURN -- PAPA ROACH WWDC wins 6-3!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
MRR March Madness WBOS vs. WRRV
The first round continues, but getting closer to a conclusion with another East Regional matchup between #3 seed WBOS of Boston, a jockless station that eats WFNX for lunch -- sorry to say. WRRV is a station out of Middletown/Pughkeepsie NY. rocking the Catskill foothills
Best of 10 head to head, I chose the winner.
WBOS leads off with SOMEBODY TOLD ME -- THE KILLERS. WRRV can only manage Kings and Queens by 30 Seconds to Mars. WBOS gets off to the early lead.
Here's the rest. WBOS on the left.
LIKE A STONE -- AUDIOSLAVE VS. OLD MAN -- MIDNIGHT KING Not a huge fan of Chris Cornell Against the Machine, so I'll go with the Neil Young sampling hip hop joint. Tie 1-1
CRASH INTO ME -- DAVE MATTHEWS BAND VS. ROPE -- FOO FIGHTERS. Dave Matthews managed to do a tender, sweet sex song, not an easy task. Advantage BOS
DOIN' TIME -- SUBLIME VS. YOU ARE A TOURIST -- DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE Tied again.
HOWLIN FOR YOU -- THE BLACK KEYS VS. COUNTRY SONG -- SEETHER Black Keys blues are more genuine than Seether's country 3-2 WBOS
I WANNA BE SEDATED -- RAMONES VS. ADOLESCENTS -- INCUBUS. Are you kidding me? Gotta vote Ramones! 4-2 BOS
SHE TALKS TO ANGELS -- THE BLACK CROWES VS. SHAKE ME DOWN -- CAGE THE ELEPHANT BOS is ready to wrap things up now.
THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD -- NIRVANA VS. COLD -- CROSSFADE WRRV is not even trying now. WBOS advances.
Next : WWDC from the Nation's capitol vs. WTZR from Hillbilly Country!
Best of 10 head to head, I chose the winner.
WBOS leads off with SOMEBODY TOLD ME -- THE KILLERS. WRRV can only manage Kings and Queens by 30 Seconds to Mars. WBOS gets off to the early lead.
Here's the rest. WBOS on the left.
LIKE A STONE -- AUDIOSLAVE VS. OLD MAN -- MIDNIGHT KING Not a huge fan of Chris Cornell Against the Machine, so I'll go with the Neil Young sampling hip hop joint. Tie 1-1
CRASH INTO ME -- DAVE MATTHEWS BAND VS. ROPE -- FOO FIGHTERS. Dave Matthews managed to do a tender, sweet sex song, not an easy task. Advantage BOS
DOIN' TIME -- SUBLIME VS. YOU ARE A TOURIST -- DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE Tied again.
HOWLIN FOR YOU -- THE BLACK KEYS VS. COUNTRY SONG -- SEETHER Black Keys blues are more genuine than Seether's country 3-2 WBOS
I WANNA BE SEDATED -- RAMONES VS. ADOLESCENTS -- INCUBUS. Are you kidding me? Gotta vote Ramones! 4-2 BOS
SHE TALKS TO ANGELS -- THE BLACK CROWES VS. SHAKE ME DOWN -- CAGE THE ELEPHANT BOS is ready to wrap things up now.
THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD -- NIRVANA VS. COLD -- CROSSFADE WRRV is not even trying now. WBOS advances.
Next : WWDC from the Nation's capitol vs. WTZR from Hillbilly Country!
MRR March Madness CHDI v. KTEG
#4 Seed CHDI is Edmonton, Alberta's Modern Rock station and a pretty good one too. # 13 seed KTEG is your standard issue Clear Channel station from Albequeque, only with lower ratings than such a station usually gets. So -- usual rules if you've been following head to head best of ten songs pulled off their actual playlists at about the same time. Let's see how this plays out.
CHDI srarts off with GRACE TOO -- TRAGICALLY HIP Not the best track by them, but KTEG will have to make more than a token play here -- WHERE ITS AT -- BECK. KTEG is starting off strong here.
CHDI's songs will remain on the left ...
KIDS --MGMT VS.WELCOME TO THE FAMLY -- AVENGED SEVENFOLD MGMT's best track so far owerwhelms KTEG's entry
I FEEL YOU -- SAM ROBERTS BAND VS. EVERLONG -- FOO FIGHTERS Just can;t vote against teh Foos best song. KTEG 2-1
LAST RESORT -- PAPA ROACH VS. UNDISCLOSED DESIRE -- MUSE. Meh. I refuse to pick a winner. It's a draw.
ONE MORE ASTRONAUT -- I MOTHER EARTH VS. RIPTIDE -- SICK PUPPIES. Score one for Canadian content. Tied 2-2
ALL APOLOGIES -- NIRVANA VS. LONGVIEW -- GREEN DAY One of Kurt Cobain's more personal songs has aged better than Green Day's bratty potty mouthed "Longview"
STADIUM LOVE -- METRIC VS. ANIMAL -- NEON TREES. It's a close one but Neon Trees wins this one for KTEG Tied Again.
STILL WAITING -- SUM 41 VS. KRYPTONITE -- 3 DOORS DOWN. Not as dire as 3 DAYS GRACE. Just boring. SUM 41's metallic pop punk rules here. CHDI 4-3
CHANGING -- AIBORNE TOXIC EVENT vs. WAITING FOR THE END -- LINKIN PARK. CHDI clinches a second round berth with a solid win in the late going.
First round action continues with WBOS MEETING up with WRRV.
CHDI srarts off with GRACE TOO -- TRAGICALLY HIP Not the best track by them, but KTEG will have to make more than a token play here -- WHERE ITS AT -- BECK. KTEG is starting off strong here.
CHDI's songs will remain on the left ...
KIDS --MGMT VS.WELCOME TO THE FAMLY -- AVENGED SEVENFOLD MGMT's best track so far owerwhelms KTEG's entry
I FEEL YOU -- SAM ROBERTS BAND VS. EVERLONG -- FOO FIGHTERS Just can;t vote against teh Foos best song. KTEG 2-1
LAST RESORT -- PAPA ROACH VS. UNDISCLOSED DESIRE -- MUSE. Meh. I refuse to pick a winner. It's a draw.
ONE MORE ASTRONAUT -- I MOTHER EARTH VS. RIPTIDE -- SICK PUPPIES. Score one for Canadian content. Tied 2-2
ALL APOLOGIES -- NIRVANA VS. LONGVIEW -- GREEN DAY One of Kurt Cobain's more personal songs has aged better than Green Day's bratty potty mouthed "Longview"
STADIUM LOVE -- METRIC VS. ANIMAL -- NEON TREES. It's a close one but Neon Trees wins this one for KTEG Tied Again.
STILL WAITING -- SUM 41 VS. KRYPTONITE -- 3 DOORS DOWN. Not as dire as 3 DAYS GRACE. Just boring. SUM 41's metallic pop punk rules here. CHDI 4-3
CHANGING -- AIBORNE TOXIC EVENT vs. WAITING FOR THE END -- LINKIN PARK. CHDI clinches a second round berth with a solid win in the late going.
First round action continues with WBOS MEETING up with WRRV.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
AAR March Madness -- KTCL V. WTFX
Back to the Midwest Regional, where Denver's KTCL, a #4 seed meets Louisville's WTFX a number 13 seed. WTFX recently transitioned from active to alternative. Head to head best of 10 you know the rest.
KTCL leas off with HERE IT GOES AGAIN -- OK GO, TO WHICH WTFX Counters with CLOSER -- NINE INCH NAILS. Here It Goes Again is a lot more fun. KTCL breaks out into an early lead.
Here's the rest KTCL on the left.
THE CAVE -- MUMFORD AND SONS VS. CLOSER TO THE EDGE -- 30 SECONDS TO MARS. I'd probalby lime 30 Seonds to Mars better if I was 13. KTCL makes it 2-0
FLAGPOLE SITTA -- HARVEY DANGER VS. LYING THROUGH YOU -- LINKIN PARK, Havey Danger and their big dumb song. 3-0 KTCL
EX-GIRLFRIEND -- NO DOUBT VS. ALL OVER YOU -- LIVE "The Fox" finally get on the board.
BLEED IT OUT -- LINKIN PARK V. LAY ME DOWN -- DIRTY HEADS. No competition. The lead is narrowed to 3-2.
CREEP -- RADIOHEAD VS. JEREMY -- PEARL JAM About equal.
THE BALLAD OF MONA LISA -- PANIC AT THE DISCO VS. GONE AWAY -- OFFSPRING. the Offsping tie it up.
BADFISH -- SUBLIME VS. HOWLIN FOR YOU -- THE BLACK KEYS No competition. The Fox now as a 4-3 lead.
ANIMAL -- NEON TREES VS. COME AS YOU ARE -- NIRVANA. Even with a n overplayed song like "Come As You Are" Nirvana wins! The Fox is triumphant. So is the Fox
Next: CHDI vs. KTEG in the West Regional.
Both statios
KTCL leas off with HERE IT GOES AGAIN -- OK GO, TO WHICH WTFX Counters with CLOSER -- NINE INCH NAILS. Here It Goes Again is a lot more fun. KTCL breaks out into an early lead.
Here's the rest KTCL on the left.
THE CAVE -- MUMFORD AND SONS VS. CLOSER TO THE EDGE -- 30 SECONDS TO MARS. I'd probalby lime 30 Seonds to Mars better if I was 13. KTCL makes it 2-0
FLAGPOLE SITTA -- HARVEY DANGER VS. LYING THROUGH YOU -- LINKIN PARK, Havey Danger and their big dumb song. 3-0 KTCL
EX-GIRLFRIEND -- NO DOUBT VS. ALL OVER YOU -- LIVE "The Fox" finally get on the board.
BLEED IT OUT -- LINKIN PARK V. LAY ME DOWN -- DIRTY HEADS. No competition. The lead is narrowed to 3-2.
CREEP -- RADIOHEAD VS. JEREMY -- PEARL JAM About equal.
THE BALLAD OF MONA LISA -- PANIC AT THE DISCO VS. GONE AWAY -- OFFSPRING. the Offsping tie it up.
BADFISH -- SUBLIME VS. HOWLIN FOR YOU -- THE BLACK KEYS No competition. The Fox now as a 4-3 lead.
ANIMAL -- NEON TREES VS. COME AS YOU ARE -- NIRVANA. Even with a n overplayed song like "Come As You Are" Nirvana wins! The Fox is triumphant. So is the Fox
Next: CHDI vs. KTEG in the West Regional.
Both statios
ARR March Madness XETRA v. WRKN
# 4 seed XETRA is a station licensed to Tijuana, Mexico, but with studios in San Diego. Mexican stations have call letters that start with X, hence "Heard it on the X". This station is better known as 91x, one of the longest, most sucessful alt rock stations in the nation. #13 seed WRKN is relatively new -- serving the New Orleans area. As always songs picked from their playlists go head to head, best of 10.
Let's see how this one plays out.
91x leads off with CREEP- RADIOHEAD. RKN counters with DIAMOND EYES -- NOT DEFTONES yes the lame one with (Boom Sha Laka hi li hi lili hi lo) or something like that in the title. 91x goes out to an early lead with a laugher.
Not looking good for the remaining Louisiana station. Let's see how it plays out, with 91 x on the left.
HELP IS ON THE WAY -- RISE AGAINST VS. RIPTIDE -- SICK PUPPIES A closer call, but 91x wins again
DON'R STAND SO CLOSE TO ME -- POLICE VS. EVERLONG -- FOO FIGHTERS. One of the better Police songs and gets points for reaching back to the late 70's, but we're talking about Everlong, a work of sheer genius. Nobedy writes melodies of the complexity and beauty of Dave Grohl, no one outside of classical music anyway -- and this is his best. WRKN averts a shutout.
BREAKING THE HABIT -- LINKIN PARK VS. THIS IS WAR -- 30 SECONDS TO MARS I'm not a huge fan, but Linkin Park has its virtutes, while 30 Seconds to Mars has none. 91-x leads 3-1
BABY WE'VE GOT A DANCE -- BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS VS. FAR FROM HOME -- FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH Not familiar with that song, and usually I would check it out, but the worst Wailers song I ever heard was a lot better than the best Five Finger Death Punch song. 4-1 91x.
WE USED TO WAIT -- ARCADE FIRE vs. BREAK -- 3 DAYS GRACE This is getting ridiculous. 5-1 91x.
EX-GIRLFRIEND -- NO DOUBT VS. LAY ME DOWN -- DIRTY HEADS. Still can't get that Dirty Heads song out of my head from last summer 5-2 91x.
H- TOOL VS. SELF ESTEEM -- OFFSPING. Tough choice, but I'll give the edge to Tool.
Let's see how this one plays out.
91x leads off with CREEP- RADIOHEAD. RKN counters with DIAMOND EYES -- NOT DEFTONES yes the lame one with (Boom Sha Laka hi li hi lili hi lo) or something like that in the title. 91x goes out to an early lead with a laugher.
Not looking good for the remaining Louisiana station. Let's see how it plays out, with 91 x on the left.
HELP IS ON THE WAY -- RISE AGAINST VS. RIPTIDE -- SICK PUPPIES A closer call, but 91x wins again
DON'R STAND SO CLOSE TO ME -- POLICE VS. EVERLONG -- FOO FIGHTERS. One of the better Police songs and gets points for reaching back to the late 70's, but we're talking about Everlong, a work of sheer genius. Nobedy writes melodies of the complexity and beauty of Dave Grohl, no one outside of classical music anyway -- and this is his best. WRKN averts a shutout.
BREAKING THE HABIT -- LINKIN PARK VS. THIS IS WAR -- 30 SECONDS TO MARS I'm not a huge fan, but Linkin Park has its virtutes, while 30 Seconds to Mars has none. 91-x leads 3-1
BABY WE'VE GOT A DANCE -- BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS VS. FAR FROM HOME -- FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH Not familiar with that song, and usually I would check it out, but the worst Wailers song I ever heard was a lot better than the best Five Finger Death Punch song. 4-1 91x.
WE USED TO WAIT -- ARCADE FIRE vs. BREAK -- 3 DAYS GRACE This is getting ridiculous. 5-1 91x.
EX-GIRLFRIEND -- NO DOUBT VS. LAY ME DOWN -- DIRTY HEADS. Still can't get that Dirty Heads song out of my head from last summer 5-2 91x.
H- TOOL VS. SELF ESTEEM -- OFFSPING. Tough choice, but I'll give the edge to Tool.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
ARR March Madness WXEG vs. WXDX
Check it out -- the winner of my 2009 competition to find the worst Clear Channel alternative station #13 seeded WXEG of Dayton Ohio is matched against another low esteemed Clear Channel alternative #4 seeded WXDX of Pittsburgh.
WXEG leads off with HELP IS ON THE WAY -- RISE AGAINST to which WXDX responds with PLUSH -- STONE TEMPLE PILOTS WXEG gets off to an unexpected early lead. Now for teh rest of the best of 10 head to head action WXEG on the left.
BAT COUNTRY -- AVENGED SEVENFOLD VS. HOWLIN FOR YOU -- THE BLACK KEYS Are you kidding me? Tie score.
ALL THE SMALL THINGS -- BLINK 182 VS. JUST A GIRL -- NO DOUBT Gwen Stefani needs to get her airplay back, so I'm giving No Doubt the nod over the pop punksters. 2-1 WXDX
END OF ME -- APOCALYPTICA FEAT. GAVIN ROSSDALE VS. GONE AWAY -- OFFSPRING Apocalytica is nothing if not interesting, but the problem with "End of Me" can be summed up in three words: Featuring Gavin Rossdale. 3-1 WXDX lead'
THE ANIMAL -- DISTURBED VS. I WILL NOT BOW -- BREAKING BENJAMIN The metal-tinged emo band gets the edge here over the more frankly metallic Disturbed. XDX 4-1
THE KILL -- 30 SECONDS TO MARS VS SEVEN NATION ARMY -- WHITE STRIPES. 5-1 XDX.
BAD COMPANY -- FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH VS. WHEREVER I MAY ROAM Metallica. Yes, it's a cover of the Bad Company song. The 6th win for XDX ends the competition.
Next: XETRA meets WRKN in the South Regional
WXEG leads off with HELP IS ON THE WAY -- RISE AGAINST to which WXDX responds with PLUSH -- STONE TEMPLE PILOTS WXEG gets off to an unexpected early lead. Now for teh rest of the best of 10 head to head action WXEG on the left.
BAT COUNTRY -- AVENGED SEVENFOLD VS. HOWLIN FOR YOU -- THE BLACK KEYS Are you kidding me? Tie score.
ALL THE SMALL THINGS -- BLINK 182 VS. JUST A GIRL -- NO DOUBT Gwen Stefani needs to get her airplay back, so I'm giving No Doubt the nod over the pop punksters. 2-1 WXDX
END OF ME -- APOCALYPTICA FEAT. GAVIN ROSSDALE VS. GONE AWAY -- OFFSPRING Apocalytica is nothing if not interesting, but the problem with "End of Me" can be summed up in three words: Featuring Gavin Rossdale. 3-1 WXDX lead'
THE ANIMAL -- DISTURBED VS. I WILL NOT BOW -- BREAKING BENJAMIN The metal-tinged emo band gets the edge here over the more frankly metallic Disturbed. XDX 4-1
THE KILL -- 30 SECONDS TO MARS VS SEVEN NATION ARMY -- WHITE STRIPES. 5-1 XDX.
BAD COMPANY -- FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH VS. WHEREVER I MAY ROAM Metallica. Yes, it's a cover of the Bad Company song. The 6th win for XDX ends the competition.
Next: XETRA meets WRKN in the South Regional
ARR March Madness -- KEXX vs. CJZN
I know, I know it's April, but the real March Madness drags into April as well, doesn't it? Let's do a West Regional bout, in which # 5 seed KEXX of Phoenix meets # 12 seed CJZN of Victoria, British Columbia. KXRK is a highly rated alternative out of Salt Lake City . CJZN is a feisty little indie out of Victoria, British Columbia. As always head to head songs from actual playlists at approximately the same time, best of ten.
KXRK leads off with NEW LOW -- MIDDLE CLASS RUT. CJZN counters with DANCE MOTHER --SWEET THING (Not as you might expect SWEET THING -- DANCE MOTHER). Cmon, have you seen the video? Middle Class rut surivive stuff like hanging and being dragged behind a pickup truck. Dis a band called Sweet Thing ever have a chance?
Here's how the rest played out -- KXRK on the left.
HOWLIN FOR YOU -- THE BLACK KEYS VS. 1979 -- SMASHING PUMPKINS Smashing Pumpkins best song ties it up for CJLX
CLOSER -- NINE INCH NAILS VS. FALLING APART -- NEVER ENDING NIGHT LIGHTS One of Canada's more interesting indie bands. But awesome beats interesting every time.
2-1 KXRK edge.
FEEL GOOD INC. -- GORILLAZ VS. HELL -- TEGAN & SARA. Not a big fan of the cartoon band. CJZN ties it up.
FRONTIER PSYCHIATRIST -- THE AVALANCHES vs. CAPITAL G -- NINE INCH NAILS I had to check out Frontier Psychiatrist since I never heard it before. Wow. That is one weird song. CJZN leads 3-2
PERFECT SITUATION -- WEEZER VS. UNDER THE LIGHTHOUSE -- BIG WRECK A great song from the mucho underrated Make Believe album. Tied again.
MY BODY -- YOUNG THE GIANT VS. SAIL -- AWOL NATION KXRK retakes the lead.
MACHINE GUN BLUES -- SOCIAL DISTORTION VS. N/A OK -- USS. I just don't get the USS, who get a lot of CFNY airplay. 5-2 KXRK lead.
LASSO -- PHOENIX VS. RADIOACTIVE -- KINGS OF LEON. Phoenix gets a slight edge, and KXRK gets the win.
Next: a battle of the midgets in the East Regional -- WXDX VS. WXEG
KXRK leads off with NEW LOW -- MIDDLE CLASS RUT. CJZN counters with DANCE MOTHER --SWEET THING (Not as you might expect SWEET THING -- DANCE MOTHER). Cmon, have you seen the video? Middle Class rut surivive stuff like hanging and being dragged behind a pickup truck. Dis a band called Sweet Thing ever have a chance?
Here's how the rest played out -- KXRK on the left.
HOWLIN FOR YOU -- THE BLACK KEYS VS. 1979 -- SMASHING PUMPKINS Smashing Pumpkins best song ties it up for CJLX
CLOSER -- NINE INCH NAILS VS. FALLING APART -- NEVER ENDING NIGHT LIGHTS One of Canada's more interesting indie bands. But awesome beats interesting every time.
2-1 KXRK edge.
FEEL GOOD INC. -- GORILLAZ VS. HELL -- TEGAN & SARA. Not a big fan of the cartoon band. CJZN ties it up.
FRONTIER PSYCHIATRIST -- THE AVALANCHES vs. CAPITAL G -- NINE INCH NAILS I had to check out Frontier Psychiatrist since I never heard it before. Wow. That is one weird song. CJZN leads 3-2
PERFECT SITUATION -- WEEZER VS. UNDER THE LIGHTHOUSE -- BIG WRECK A great song from the mucho underrated Make Believe album. Tied again.
MY BODY -- YOUNG THE GIANT VS. SAIL -- AWOL NATION KXRK retakes the lead.
MACHINE GUN BLUES -- SOCIAL DISTORTION VS. N/A OK -- USS. I just don't get the USS, who get a lot of CFNY airplay. 5-2 KXRK lead.
LASSO -- PHOENIX VS. RADIOACTIVE -- KINGS OF LEON. Phoenix gets a slight edge, and KXRK gets the win.
Next: a battle of the midgets in the East Regional -- WXDX VS. WXEG
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