89.9 The Candle

Dearest Wildcats,

This begins the first of our “normal” messages, if you can call them that. If you’re reading this, it means you signed up to receive our daily radio reports. Thanks so much for your support! Mickey and I are thrilled that you’re interested in our silly little project. We hope that by the time we get to the end of the dial we’ll all be experts on those invisible waves that doth bring forth music to our ears.

On that biblical note, we begin our review of 89.9 The Candle.
Tagline: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
This was another Christian Rock station. Thankfully, it wasn’t quite so schizophrenic.
Through some distracting, but relatively benign static, we heard one station and one station only. It was, if you’ll indulge us, music to our ears. Not to Christie’s, though. All morning she complained that it didn’t play her favorite Christian Rock song.

Verdict: Despite the lack of any “Gimme your eyes so I can see” action, we rolled up to school on time and ready for the day. I can’t say any of us was born again, but on a clear day if you’re getting good reception, this might just be the station to brighten your day.

Grade: B-
Good in a theological pinch. Not going on our presets.

Sincerely,

Your punctual pundits

89.5 SHUFFLE

So yesterday was a battleground station, but if that was like a clear two-sided war between Persia and Sparta, today was like a messed up pillow fight between Persia, Sparta, the Nazis, the Union soldiers, Storm troopers and MA's golf team (go Wildcats!) There was a sermon about Peter on trial with some judge who the preacher made sure to emphasize was a good speaker but not a good person (he didn't say Barack Obama, but I was sure he implied it.) The sermon was statically interrupted by CHRISTIAN MUSIC playing on ANOTHER STATION!!! You'd think Jesus would work out the airwaves for his children's radio stations! Jeez! This combo was frequently interrupted by yet another station that was discussing economics and the bail-out. Once we were off the San Rafael exit, the station started making really strange bell sounds for 30 seconds or so and then switched to a speech about russian and united states missiles that I think came from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., followed by Jazz. WTF!?!?

Verdict: This station is not for daily listening, it has way too much static and mediocre programming for regular enjoyment. That said, this station twisted and turned so much in our drive that there is a good chance that it is controlled by something divine. If you are looking for answers in life, 89.5 would not be a bad place to start.

Grade: (in general) D

If you want some truth and answers about an essentially random meaningless world, A+

88.9 Christian Rock vs. Classical Music

This station was a staticy battle between orchestras producing beautiful music and uplifting, power chord filled pleas to Jesus. The classical station seems to be soothing and soulful, the Christian rock songs were intense (sample lyric: give me your love... for humanity)

Verdict: If this station could make up it's mind on what to be, it would have a lot of promise. The classical music could center you on those mornings you feel more than a little frazzled and the christian rock could inspire you for that math test through an avenue left mostly inderused in Marin--Jesus. However, in it's current schyzophrenic state this station is only good for crazy days when you want to muse at the random culture thrown your way by the airwaves.
Grade: C (Christie says, "it works because it stands for Christian AND classical")

88.5 NPR

Interesting, concise and deep news  reports about justice guy who had to call bush corrupt justice department on all their shit, banks shifting around, veterans going home, auto manufacturing troubles+ short and direct traffic appropriately sponsored by advil, nice little music in between reports, no commercials...

Verdict: No better way to get informed for those thoughtful discussions with your history teacher

Grade: A

Welcome to the Review

I decided that maybe everyone doesn't want to be assaulted daily by a newsletter, so I'm making a blog, Teddy Wing style... and maybe sending a recap every 2 weeks or so to the emails. Anyway, here's the original introductory email.

Dear school,
So for shits and giggles, Christie, Ben and I have decided to start a carpool project... We are going to review the entire radio! Every morning, starting at the beginning of the dial and ending at the end, we will listen to and subsequently review a new radio station. Today, we start with the first station on the dial, the teacher favorite, NPR. I am sending this to the school because, otherwise, there's no real point. Hopefully, you will all enjoy this daily update, and it won't become annoying junk mail. Maybe, well even find some Cool new stations!
Love,
Mickey