Sat, 08 March 2003
Bands I enjoy on the radio

Most folks in big radio markets have three rock stations: an "X" station, a rock station, and a classic rock station.  They don't play Sleater-Kinney but folks don't live by S-K alone.  About the only time I can listen to music is on the radio in the car.  Atlanta is fortunate to have 3 great college stations; they fill the bottom three button on the radio.  But I'm always checking the commercial rock stations.

I'm always delighted when I hear these bands:

• Foo Fighters  These guys get more out of a few riffs than most bands.  Loud, raucous, accurate, simple unexpected hooks, and uncannily touching.  I've seen them live a couple of time, both were a pleasure.
• Incubus  Their songs aren't simple.  The riffs and time changes set them apart: They do math rock in pop songs.  They have melody.  They are more accomplished in performing and song writing than required by rock and roll.  I'm not complaining.
• AC/DC  The songs are distilled down to those beautiful rock riffs.
• Living Colour's  body of radio songs consists of just one, "The Cult of Personality."  I will listen that that song over all others.  Only a jazz guy could come up with those riffs.  Unfortunatley very few jazz guys apply themselves to rock.  It's our loss.

Thare are plenty of good songs by other bands, on the radio or not.  Thise get my attention every time.