A Little Help From NPR
In 2007, I have rediscovered National Public Radio. I remember being young and listening to various programs with my Dad. He introduced me to Lake Wobegon, Stained Glass Blue Grass and All Things Considered. Since I was quite young, I didn't really enjoy these programs very much. I did like Garrison Keillor, but my attention span wasn't long enough for a radio produced story. As my distaste for commercial radio grew, I found WRNR a suitable alternative. When I moved to Baltimore, it was out of range. This forced me to find new radio, and NPR was a great alternative. In Baltimore, there are two options WYPR and WTMD. The former being a new oriented station. The latter being a music oriented station. Between the two, my morning and evening commute to the train station was covered. I got hooked on public radio. (Cue the yuppie theme music whatever it might be. Ugh, that makes me cringe)
When we drove across the country, I didn't have a CD player in my rig. I listened to a lot of really crappy radio. I did call upon the iPod Shuffle (1st gen). It soothed my ears. One thing I could count on that helped, public radio. At almost any point in the drive, I could scan the dial and find NPR. I remember listening to the World Cafe on a cold and windy morning in Wyoming. It made the drive bearable. As I am getting acclimated to Portland, I have adopted WOPB as my new home NPR station. It is great to listen to while preparing dinner.
Earlier this week, I decided to checkout NPR's web site. Not that I was super surprised, but it is very comprehensive. Their music section is fantastic. I signed up for a few podcasts, and I listened to a few music lists. Two in particular were awesome: 13 Great Musical Discoveries of 2007, from KEXP and The Top 10 Debuts of 2007, from WXPN. I'd recommend listen to both or one or any of the Best Of 2007.
From these lists, I have a few choice favorites. I really like Yeasayer's "Sunrise" from the album All Hour Cymbals. It has an eerie beginning, but it really starts to move nicely. The The Budos Band track "Budos Rising" from The Budos Band Ii is so sweet. My new favorite genre of music is "Afrobeat-influenced jazz-funk." Deep and saucy. If you are in the mood for some Rock 'N Roll (who isnt?), check out Orgone. They describe themselves as Funk / Soul / Afro-beat. "Sophisticated Honky" is a statement that Rock 'N Roll is still around, but we can bend it a bit while still coming out on top. For all the kids out there that wear really small clothes and aren't afraid to dance, this next track is for you. "D.A.N.C.E." by Justice might make you time travel back to a dirty disco, or maybe your actually just in Williamsburg in a corner bar. Either way, I was digging it.
Kudos to NPR. I am really glad I got back into this national treasure. I might even donate next year. What a crazy idea. I really wish that I found the Best Of 2007 lists before I finished Christmas shopping. I would also have loved to receive a few of these discs. Oh well, there is always next year. If anything is for sure in 2008, I'll be listening to NPR in one form or another. This time around, I am whole heartedly enjoying it.
