Public Radio Stations That Rock
News columnist Bob Needham is skeptical of Ann Arbor’s inclusion in Schools That Rock: The Rolling Stone College Guide. “[I]t’s not really a surprise that the evidence of U-M’s ‘rocking’ starts out with … the University Musical Society, that bastion of rebellion and teenage musical angst,” he snarks.
But apparently the oh-so-negative Mr. Needham isn’t familiar with the subject of today’s Talk About Town. Where else but A2 could a “funny, playful, jazzy tune” called “I Love Public Radio” be not only produced, but actually broadcast over the airwaves repeatedly every day? The song, downloadable here, contains lyrics like “It’s not at all like other stations, nothing of the sort/There’s no commercials and lots of invitations for listener support” and “Where else can you hear so many folks that went to college/There’s no other station that can boast that kind of knowledge.”
Ugh, dreadful.
But the kid is only 19, so I’d cut him a little slack. And the music’s not bad….
posted by Parking Structure Dude! on October 24th, 2005 at 12:37 pmHeh,…
When the AA Spews takes on Rolling Stone (and wins), you know it’s a sad day for local “Underground rock”. In AA’s case, “Underground” is code for music that parental-units like to hear slightly younger people play for them in the background during their weekly, drunken talks about babies, Birks and BMWs.
The article goes on:
posted by leighton on October 24th, 2005 at 2:13 pm“Oh, well. It could be worse. Eastern Michigan University is only represented by a mention in an appendix as one of 12 “Schools That Offer Free Napster Access.'’ And the Elbow Room is considered to be part of the scene in Detroit.”
Hey, lay off Needham (for now, anyway); he specifically listed Great Lakes Myth Society and Jim Roll as two great things about Ann Arbor (although I hear they could just as easily be great things about Ypsi), so he’s temporarily okay in my book. I haven’t heard Taproot, though…
posted by Lazaro on October 24th, 2005 at 3:57 pmI think it’s funny to see Taproot sandwiched between Great Lakes Myth Society and Jim Roll…
posted by Brandon on October 24th, 2005 at 3:57 pmIt’s scary how many more records Taproot has / will sell,… with (relatively) no local fanbase.
posted by leighton on October 24th, 2005 at 4:29 pmSo, who’s gonna catch Ludacris at Hill?
That column was the first time in a long time I’ve heard the name Taproot dropped. They still exist? Wow. I need to catch up on my new rock alternative, I suppose.
posted by Jen on October 24th, 2005 at 8:49 pmTHREATENER.
posted by Real Big on October 25th, 2005 at 4:20 amI think the music is awesome in that NPR tune. I happen to know Steve, and I think he’s funny, but the band is superior, and he actually plays with all those old guys on a regular basis. I don’t know if he needs any slack.
posted by Michael McC. on October 25th, 2005 at 9:28 amTHREATENEE is better, more ambient.
posted by leighton on October 25th, 2005 at 11:47 amHeh. See, I go outta my way to praise Roll and GLMS, and to pan Taproot, and look what happens.
posted by js on October 25th, 2005 at 8:55 pmI ignored the guy from Tally Hall when he tried to schmooze me while I was drunk at the 8ball, and they got onto MTV.
LOCAL BANDS: I AM THE KEY TO YOUR FAILURE!
Ann Arbor used to rock. There used to be Tower Records, the record store at the corner of University (and the street that Pizza House is on), Schoolkids, the Wazoo and a couple other used record places. Now it is down to Borders, the record street about a block down and the other record store 2 blocks down from that and the Wazoo and maybe Schoolkids in Exile. I think you need a few record stores to rock..
posted by Kozzie on October 25th, 2005 at 9:36 pmFirst Borders and Tower, then Amazon & iTunes killed the independent record stores, unfortuantely.
posted by OFWinsurgent on October 25th, 2005 at 9:40 pmalso, PJs (on Packard) still rocks.
posted by OFWinsurgent on October 25th, 2005 at 10:46 pmschoolkids in exile ain’t dead yet!
posted by peter honeyman on October 25th, 2005 at 10:58 pmFor west siders, don’t forget Undergeround Sounds on Liberty. And Encore. For chrissakes, how can we forget Encore? Oh, wait maybe, those are the “record store about a block down and the other record store two blocks down from [Borders]…” Sorry for the interruption.
posted by Holy Toledoan on October 26th, 2005 at 10:15 amEncore is awesome.
posted by Dave on October 26th, 2005 at 10:30 amEncore, Wazoo, Schoolkids’, Underground Sounds, PJs… who was complaining about a lack of record stores? We’ve got a denser concentration of good record shops in a few blocks’ radius than just about anywhere I’ve ever been.
posted by Brandon on October 26th, 2005 at 10:50 amOkay okay, I was wrong….
Sorry….
posted by Kozzie on October 26th, 2005 at 11:29 amJS not to rain on your lester bangs fantasy but your article/reviews have no bearing on any local bands failure or success, I bet you were being sarcastic anyways. Reason Tallly Hall has had some success is one of them has a powerful relative in the “industry” who pulled some strings. Although they will never admitt to it.
posted by Jeff on October 26th, 2005 at 11:45 amAll the record stores in this town suck. PJ doesn’t know anything, Wazoo reminds me of a mouse house, and Encore is packed full of records that 5% of residents actually listen to. The only record store with any hope at all is Underground. Yeah there layout sucks and there stupid card board cut out CD pictures are gay, but there location is great and they have the space to actually do something besides collect dust and give slivers to my girl. AA needs an independent record store with listening stations, a local section, DVDs, and room to hang out and spend hours on end. My only wish is to support a local store who actually puts forth effort to attract my business. Is that too much to ask governor? I’m tired of buying shit online. Comments please!
posted by The One Eyed Lark on April 2nd, 2006 at 9:25 pmI just wish we had Discount records back, I loved that place.
posted by Raul on April 2nd, 2006 at 10:53 pmProblem with your proposal, One Eyed Lark, is that room to hang out and spend hours = more square footage = dehibilitatingly high rent.
But if anyone wants to front me the startup money, I’d be happy to set one up. I haven’t set foot in Wazoo in ages - got treated horribly one too many times there. Underground - OK, Encore - local section, PJs - cheap ironic vinyl. Schoolkids, however, used to be especially nice about special-ordering for me before my debit had no-liability and I could order safely online. Appreciated that quite a bit.
posted by Jen on April 3rd, 2006 at 2:53 am