Another smooth jazz station bites the dust thanks to Clear Channel, this time in Baltimore, as WSMJ 104.3 flipped last week to what is described by the station as “a 1990′s-intensive modern rock format”. Unfortunately, that seems to mean a Stereo MC’s flashback is occasionally thrown in with the Seether and Finger Eleven to mix things up a bit. Still, which format is more dreadful these days? Smooth jazz or “modern rock”?
Seether – Rise Above This:
Ludo – Love Me Dead:
vs.
Jessy J – Tequila Moon:
Kenny G – Sax-O-Loco:
To me, it’s nearly a draw, as smooth jazz is so far removed from the actual jazz genre that there’s no mistaking the two these days (in fact, the “official” radio genre designation is “Smooth AC”, which seems more appropriate). The history of “modern rock” seems to have been rewritten, permanently erasing the Sire-heavy 80′s playlists of KROQ and treating “Plush” as the dawn of time. Also helping the cause of smooth jazz is the fact that Ludo is a curse on humanity. Such is life. As an added bonus with the format change, Baltimore residents also get a syndicated morning show, Elliott In The Morning (albeit a regional one, thankfully) as well. Thanks for everything, Clear Channel!
Just what the airwaves need. More plays for “Blackhole Sun” and “Evenflow.”
As the seeming last person alive who still enjoys modern rock, I have no issue with this (I’m still bitter from when Y100 here in Philly went to rap on me). Only gripe is how obviously that logo is a ripoff on Radio 104.5 here in Philly (same format too).
==TJ==
That’s not Elliot of Elvis and Elliot fame, is it?
Man, this is a toughie, but I think I’d go with smooth “jazz” over “modern” rock. Maybe I’m getting old, but I can honestly say there’s likely to be more on the smooth jazz I could tolerate than the modern rock. Yes, I can tolerate Jenny G or Boney James over Nickleback or who the fuck ever else.
Baltimore residents,
I would like to go ahead and apologize for Elliott in the Morning and the incessant “Smell My Face” witticisms that are coming your way.
@GhostOfDuane: It is. [nydailynews.com]
104 The X! Now playing the BEST NEW ROCK! Another 45 minutes ROCK BLOCK starts right NOW with Pearl Jam – Jeremy!
There are no winners here.
When is someone going to jump on an 80′s new wave intensive alt station? Then you can still do a 90′s all request lunch hour and it wouldn’t be that bad!
/I would kill to hear Siouxsie again on the radio
@neworiginals: Hm. Do you think Cubby is still there?
Great quote from the article:
“We were a couple of losers on a loser station.”
Yup. That just about sums it up.
@Barry White Stripes, Office LW: Sirrus First Wave. Of course, Sirrus is as bad as terrestrial radio for having small playlists and grinding them into the ground.
90′s Flashback Alt-Rock is better to anally rape Baltimore prostitutes to.
Did I just type that out loud?
Again?
@Captain Wrong: Ok, Siouxsie on umm…snail radio…???
Sirrus and XM have some GREAT stations (Lucy on XM is almost always on on my DirecTV), but there can be some repeat issues.
@owenmeany: It’s not rape if you pay…or if she’s dead.
Wow…this just got awkward…I’m going to leave now.
God help commercial radio if they do anything “new”.
Still amazed that Zeppelin’s “All of My Love” gets played 2x a day on every classic rock station in the country.
Even more amazed that anyone is listening to commercial radio, at all… Certainly no one with a cd player and any taste in music is listening, anyway.