Sirius Sidebar: Stuck on 21

No need to worry about me, folks. I didn't give up on Siriusly Disturbed...I just got another year older. Thursday, June 28, was my birthday, and I did quite a bit of partying that night, and was not able to update the experiment (I barely remember making it home and going to bed).

So, as is the rule, I'm stuck on Channel 21 until I get the review done. What I do for most Friday listening sessions is just document it at some point over the weekend...so have no fear, you'll read the report soon, and I'll be moving onto Channel 22 for Monday.

Day 20: Octane

According to Sirius: Pure, high-powered hard rock that's loud, uncensored and in your face

My Experience: So, this is actually what I expected to hear today. Yesterday was the classic hard rock of Buzzsaw, so figured I'd be getting the modern hard rock station next...and I did. It wasn't, however, the heavy death metal I had expected...some of it was actually enjoyable to listen to. That having been said...can't think of much else to say about Octane.

Sample Playlist:

• Rage Against the Machine, Bulls on Parade
• Chevelle, I Get It
• Saliva, Your Disease
• Mudvayne, Forget to Remember
• Audioslave, Like a Stone
• Wolfmother, Pleased to Meet You

Verdict: Much more listenable to than yesterday's Buzzsaw, but still not the sort of thing I'd visit regularly. I do have to say, though...while I didn't bookmark it, I might have to stop back every now and then when the mood strikes.

Day 19: Buzzsaw

According to Sirius: Hard and heavy classic rock.

Driving Conditions: Going to probably retire this entry, as 9 times out of 10, I'm driving to work and back. Sure, today there was an extended trip to the eye doctor, but this all boils down to how long I spent with the music. Today...about 90 minutes. Much longer than usual.

My Experience: I turned the dial, saw the new title, and was a bit shocked, actually. From prior exploration, I'd come to think of Buzzsaw as heavy metal, and to put it right after the "adult contemporary rock" of The Spectrum seemed like a bit of a leap. But then the more I listened to this, the more my perception came to fall in line with how Sirius envisions this channel...it ain't metal, but it's definitely hard rock. As to the "classic" part...it's hard for me to think of Metallica and AC/DC as classic rock, but okay.

Sample Playlist:

• Alice Cooper, Elected
• George Thorogood, Born to be Wild
• AC/DC, High Voltage
• Danzig, Twist of Cain
• Metallica, One
• Judas Priest, Victim of Changes
• Jimi Hendrix, Red House

Verdict: Haven't really ever been a fan of "heavier" rock...and we already know where I stand on classic rock. So this ain't really for me. But it's probably more for me than the true "heavy metal" station that I know awaits me down the road...

For Discussion: What's the most disturbing part about the above musical program that will be playing on July 4th on Buzzsaw?

Day 18: The Spectrum

According to Sirius: Spanning the past, present, and future with adult album rock artists.

Driving Conditions: Pretty basic. To work and back, but with pitstops on the way home at Whole Foods (for groceries), Best Buy (for an iPod armband and headphones) and Borders (for a magazine they didn't have in stock).

My Experience: The Spectrum was one of the first channels I stumbled upon when I first got Sirius two and a half years ago. My impression of it has changed a bit over time. In the past, I used to think of it as "the best hits from the past several decades" (including present time). Now, though, it seems to be more along the lines of "music I haven't heard of from artists that, ironically, I know." Sure, I recognized a song by R.E.M. (Superman) and Melissa Etheridge (I'm the Only One), but everything else was new.

Sample Playlist:

• Paul McCartney, Dance Tonight
  
• Dave Matthews, American Baby
• Suzanne Vega, Frank & Ava
• Chris Rea, The Road to Hell
• Bonnie Raitt, Runaway
• John Mayer, Belief

Verdict: In the few seconds that elapsed between me seeing what station I would be listening to today, and the playing of the first song (Dance Tonight, by Paul McCartney), I went from thinking I was going to bookmark this, to deciding that the station was, in fact, going to have to prove itself to me. It didn't. And on a side note, the song it started me off with was also the final song I heard playing on The Spectrum. Yes, with over forty years of music to pull from, I still managed to get a repeat song during the hour (in total) I was listening to it. I didn't need that much Paul McCartney...although I might have forgiven him had it been Hey, Jude that was playing.

Day 17: Jam_On

According to Sirius: Improvisational, eclectic rock music from today's best jam bands

Driving Conditions: Drove to work in the morning, but after work hit a movie (Ocean's Thirteen) before heading home.

My Experience: The theme of Jam_On wasn't immediately identifiable by the name of the channel, but the first thing I heard seemed like two consecutive songs in a set from a live concert (Kat's Tune and In the Kitchen by Umphrey's McGee), so I was thinking this would just be a channel of live concert music. But the music also sounded roughly the same...slightly Grateful Dead-ish, and somewhat improvisational. Plus, for the most part, I wasn't recognizing any of the groups that were playing (even though Widespread Panic did play twice during my time in the car). When I got home and read the description of the channel (see above), I was pleased to see I had pretty much hit the nail on the head.

Interesting Sidenotes: In the spirit of Grateful Dead and Phish fans everywhere, who follow their favorite concerts around the nation, Jam_On has instituted a "Summer of Jam" feature that can be linked to through their page on the Sirius site. Basically, it encourages people to phone in reports from the road, as they stalk the bands they love across the country. You can click on several links to check out audio reports that listeners have sent in. Also...looks like a Grateful Dead radio station will soon be appearing on Sirius. Woo hoo.

Sample Playlist:

• God Street Wine, Tina's Town and Bring Back the News
• Widespread Panic, Doreatha
• Bob Marley and he Wailers, Rastaman Chant
  
• Stanley Clarke, Silly Putty
• Dave Matthews, Two Step
• Soulive, Jesus Children
• Widespread Panic, Worry

Verdict: Was interesting to listen to while I was trying to figure out the theme, but it was a bit too much "jamming" and not enough music to sink my teeth into.

Day 16: The Vault

According to Sirius: Deeper cuts from classic rock legends

Driving Conditions: A pretty standard drive once again...to work and back.

My Experience: Well, with the name The Vault, I wasn't sure what type of music I was going to be listening to, just that it likely hasn't seen the light of day much. And I was pretty much right. It was kind of a double-whammy for me...not only had I heard of roughly two-thirds of the bands that were playing, the music also fell within the classic rock genre, which I've admitted several times is not something I regularly tune in to. So...I had never heard of any of these songs before. This happens on occasion, and isn't a turn-off for me...in fact, I love discovering new music. But as it all had that classic rock feel...I just couldn't dig it.

Interesting Sidenotes: The Vault features an "Artist of the Week," giving that artist more playtime than usual. This week the AotW was Stevie Ray Vaughn. I didn't hear a single thing by him get played, though.

Sample Playlist:

• Elton John, Border Song
• The Allman Brothers, Dreams
• Bob Dylan, Everything is Broken
• J. J. Cale, Magnolia
• The Who, The Song is Over
• David Bowie, Diamond Dogs

Verdict: Songs I've never heard in a genre I don't care for? By artists I don't know? Or that I at least know I already don't care for the music of? Sign me up!

Day 15: Classic Rewind

According to Sirius: Classic rock's second generation, with songs from the late '70s onward.

Driving Circumstances: A little bit of a change-up today. Did the typical drive to work, then had to drive to our Toyota client's office for an afternoon meeting, following which I had to drive to Chefmakers for an after-hours client get-together. I have to brag...while there, I made this GREAT sugared-basil garnish for a wine-soaked berry dessert. Following that, some of us went to a bar for drinks and karaoke for a colleague's going-away party.

My Experience: The first thing that caught my eye was the title. What makes Classic Rewind different from yesterday's Classic Vinyl? Is it merely the medium (album vs. cassette) that they rose to fame in? Turn's out the slogan "Classic Rock's Second Generation" was pretty darn accurate. I started hearing stuff that I grew up with in the '80s, but just never referred to as "classic rock" (a name I don't connect with). I guess at some point, though, that stuff will be classic.

But then what makes it differ from the stuff we heard a couple weeks back on Big '80s? Well, that was within the "pop" genre...and this stuff is, apparently, "rock." 'Nuff said.

Sample Playlist:

• Aerosmith, Livin' on the Edge
• The Tubes, She's a Beauty
• Billy Idol, Rebel Yell
• The Cars, Good Times Roll
• Genesis, Invisible Touch
• Pat Benatar, We Belong
• Peter Gabriel, Sledgehammer

Verdict: Let's just say I was pleasantly surprised by something that took the moniker of my nemesis, "classic rock." I actually ended up adding this channel to my favorites. Maybe I've come to terms with that label. Classic Rewind, at one point, touted itself as "music from your era...even if you're too young to think you have an era." I guess that's me.

Day 14: Classic Vinyl

According to Sirius: The top tracks from classic rock's formative years.

Driving Circumstances: All normal. From home to work and back, with a pitstop at the bank on the way home.

My Experience: I got in the car, switched the channel...and saw that I'd made the transition from what Sirius deems the "pop" stations to what it considers to be the "rock" stations. I found out I'd be listening to classic rock today. At least, that's what I assumed from the name of the station...I hadn't heard of the song or the group that was playing (John Barleycorn Must Die, by Traffic). The next several songs, though, pretty much embodied what I considered to be classic rock...in other words, stuff from the 1970s that wasn't disco or light rock. And like other music from the decade of my birth, it tends to be stuff I don't care to listen to.

However, as the day progressed, I did catch several songs on here that I enjoyed. To be fair, it's not that I had a change of heart about classic rock...it's just that Classic Vinyl was throwing some things my way that I liked that I wouldn't have expected to hear on this channel (like some things from The Beatles).

Interesting Sidenotes: Just like Elvis Radio broadcasts live from Graceland, Classic Vinyl broadcasts live from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. In fact, on my drive home, I got to hear a R&RHoF Rock Block. Each Monday, the station picks an Honoree of the Week, which means at 6pm PST, they play three songs by that person. Now, not knowing this, I got into my car right at the start of the Rock Block today, and heard a song by Van Morrison. Then another. Then another. At that point, I was wondering if Tuesdays at 6pm was the Van Morrison tribute show, but I guess they just play three songs by him each day at that time.

Sample Playlist:

• Rolling Stones, Under My Thumb
• Creedence Clearwater Revival, Lookin' Out My Back Door
• Chicago, Feelin' Stranger Every Day
• Yes, Roundabout
• Jimi Hendrix, Are You Experienced?
• Van Morrison, Tupelo Honey...and Wild Night...and Jackie Wilson Said

Verdict: While I didn't bookmark this station, and doubt I'll return to it, I do have a newfound respect for classic rock, and think I'll actually be able to stomach it from here on out.

Day 13: Elvis Radio

According to Sirius: From the early years to his comeback, it's all music from Elvis Presley.

Driving Circumstances: Drive to work was normal (as usual), but after work, went to a going-away party for a co-worker, and got to listen to the ol' satellite radio a little later than usual.

My Experience: First off, this was a lot less painful than I thought it was going to be. The King has enough variety in his music, that you're not stuck listening to the same thing over and over. Secondly, this station is VERY dedicated to Elvis. They broadcast live from Graceland. They have interviews with people from Elvis's past. They have Elvis trivia. They have themed shows that deal with music from Elvis's movies. It's amazing that there's such a volume of work here that 1) an entire station can be devoted to just his music and 2) I didn't hear any repeated songs at all (unlike Totally '70s, where I had to listen to Le Freak twice in one day). Sure, there was the famous stuff...but then also stuff I'd never heard of before.

Sample Playlist:

• Fools Fall in Love - 1966
  
• Any Day Now - 1969
  
• Hound Dog - 1956
  
• Burning Love - 1972
  
• Are You Lonesome Tonight - 1960
  
• Return to Sender - 1962
  
• Suspicious Minds - 1969

Verdict: This was a fun station to listen to, but I can't see me listening to it for more than a song or two, when (for some unknown reason) I might need an Elvis fix. Not to be confused with an Elvish fix...which I guess I'd turn to either the North Pole or Middle Earth for...

Up for Discussion: Is Elvis dead?

Sirius Sidebar: Fun in Scotland

While listening to BBC Radio 1 this past week, I heard about a music festival held in Scotland called "Rock Ness." Yes...a music festival held on the banks of Loch Ness, featuring such performers as The Chemical Brothers and Daft Punk. So...almost more of a rave than a rock festival.

I want to go next year...

Day 12: Super Shuffle

According to Sirius: It's like Sirius on shuffle. The best Sirius music on one "super" station. You never know what's coming next on Super Shuffle.

Driving Circumstances: Friday was a normal day of heading to work and back again (with a short trip out for lunch). I also listened to Super Shuffle during part of my drive to Studio City on Saturday evening.

My Experience: This is the sort of channel that appeals to my random, spontaneous side. It's a little bit jarring, hearing Motown followed by heavy metal...followed by country music. But, it keeps you on your toes, always wondering what's happening next. And, if you find something you like, Super Shuffle usually tells you what Sirius station it could be found on.

Sample Playlist:

• Led Zeppelin, Immigrant Song (Sirius 19: Buzzsaw)
• Anne Murray, Snowbird (Sirius 7: Totally '70s)
• Ella Fitzgerald, Ain't Misbehavin' (Sirius 75: Siriusly Sinatra)
• The Killers, Mr. Brightside (Sirius 1: Sirius Hits 1)
• Billy Joel, Just the Way You Are (Sirius 4: Movin' Easy)
• Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Here Comes My Girl (Sirius 15: Classic Rewind)
• Modest Mouse, Float On (Sirius 21: Alt Nation)

Verdict: Given the fact that I'm even participating in this experiment, it's no surprise that the concept behind Super Shuffle is appealing to me. In short, yes I bookmarked it.

Day 11: BBC Radio 1

According to Sirius: The best new music from the U.K., direct from London.

Driving Circumstances: Pretty normal for a Thursday...went to work, stayed in for lunch, drove home, having a couple drinks at the bar on the way.

My Experience: Here we had a pleasant change of pace. Not produced at Sirius studios, you've got a channel imported from the U.K., and the format, therefore, is pretty different. The radio wouldn't necessarily display the title or artist performing whatever you were listening to, but would occasionally list the name of the DJ or radio show that was on.

Also, it seemed like I was driving to work and just about the time that folks over in Britain were leaving work, so it almost was like listening to your standard evening "drive time" show on the radio...except in the morning. The music was a mix of what you'd hear on any top alternative or R&B station over here (I recognized Linkin Park as one of the artists playing during my morning commute). The flip side of this that my evening commute was what amounted to 2am radio overseas...which turns out to be non-stop techno, electronic, break beat and trance.

Verdict: Overall, a bit eclectic at different points in the day, but was still interesting to tune in to, and I ended up marking it as a favorite. A lot of that had to do with the accent of the female radio host on my drive in, I'll admit.

Discussion Time: What's your stance on accents? Do they make people seem more exotic or attractive? What accents help or hurt a person's chances of grabbing your interest?

Day 10: The Bridge

According to Sirius: The softer side of classic and contemporary rock.

Driving Circumstances: Pretty normal on the ride in, maybe getting in a little after 9am, but got to experience The Bridge on a quick jaunt for lunch, as well as a ride home around 9:30pm.

My Experience: Honestly, this just felt like a combination of Sirius 2: Starlite and the slower parts of Sirius 7: Totally '70s. I kind of felt in a daze for most of this, and really wasn't getting into this at all. I mean, here's what you can expect: James Taylor and Crosby, Stills & Nash. And more James Taylor, followed by some Jackson Browne. And how about MORE James Taylor? In my brief time in the car today, I heard three James Taylor songs. Groovy. The only real high point was when two Paul Simon (sans Garfunkel) songs popped up at two different times.

Sample Playlist:

• The Eagles, Lyin' Eyes
• Joni Mitchell, Chelsea Morning
• Paul Simon, Kodachrome
• James Taylor, Only One
• Crosby, Still & Nash, You Don't Have to Cry
• Gordon Lightfoot, Poor Little Allison
• James Taylor, Copperline

Verdict: All in all, The Bridge reminded me of the music that my parents listened to when I was growing up in Philadelphia in the late '70s and very early '80s...all we were missing was some Jim Croce and Anne Murray. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for those wonderful musical memories...ugh...

Discussion Time: Describe the music your parents exposed you to while you were growing up, and the formative impact on you...either because you embraced it or ran like hell...

Day 9: The Pulse

According to Sirius: From pop to rock, this is the '90s and now.

Driving Circumstances: Another pretty normal day, except I didn't drive anywhere for lunch. After work, I went to the gym (instead of home), and was actually finishing up listening to an audio podcast on my iPod after that, but still clocked in a good 50 minutes of time on The Pulse. Note: This is not cheating...I'll lay out the specific rules at some point, but just trust me for now.

My Experience: Although it wasn't unpleasant, it was a little confusing. On The Pulse, you've basically got anything that aired after the time periods covered on Channels 5 - 8. So, here you've got a mix of stuff from my college days (e.g. Hootie, Alanis), stuff from today's Top 40 (e.g. Justin Timberlake) and some alternative rock (e.g. Panic! At TheDisco). Three great tastes that taste a little weird together...

Sample Playlist:

• Hootie and the Blowfish, Only Wanna Be With You - 1995
• Mozella, Amnesia
• Panic! At The Disco, I Write Sins, Not Tragedies
• OMC, How Bizarre - 1997
• Justin Timberlake, What Goes Around...Comes Around
• Tracy Chapman, Give Me One Reason - 1996
• Alanis Morissette, Hand in My Pocket - 1995

Verdict: I bookmarked it. While the taste combination was a little odd, I did enjoy each of the individual flavors. I guess I just need to get used to my food touching.

Discussion Time: Give me more examples of why it's dangerous for Pulse to just casually throw together songs from the '90s and pop/rock songs from the 21st Century. Example: You would never see My Chemical Romance sharing the stage with either Hootie or a Blowfish.

Day 8: Big '80s

According to Sirius: The defining hit music of the '80s

Driving Circumstances: Today was one of the most normal driving days I've had a in a while. Got up, got into work by 9am, drove to Whole Foods and back for lunch, and headed home after work. Did have a small detour to Barnes & Noble after work, but that wasn't terribly odd.

My Experience: Out of all the decades I was going to have to listen to, the '80s was the one I was looking the most forward to. My drive in to work, however, was a bit disappointing...I didn't really hear any of those "landmark" songs that people have come to associate with the 1980s. That changed, though, during my lunch travels, when some of the more familiar tunes began to play, as well as on my way home, when I even flagged a couple "keepers" for my Sirius radio to download. Nice.

High Point: The mere act of moving out of the '70s and into the '80s. Low Point: Having to wait as long as I did to hear something I recognized.

Sample Playlist:

• Van Halen, Love Walks In - 1986
  
• Peter Gabriel, Shock the Monkey - 1982
  
• The Police, Don't Stand So Close To Me - 1981
  
• The Cars, Drive - 1984
  
• Cyndi Lauper, Girls Just Want to Have Fun - 1984
  
• Robert Palmer, Addicted to Love - 1986
  
• Bon Jovi, You Give Love a Bad Name - 1986

Verdict: Love it. Bookmarked it on my radio as a favorite. And there's a lot more here than music...there are also shows like "Behind the Big '80s," which gives the inside scoop on little-known facts and details about the decades music and influences. They've also got some of the original MTV VJs hosting different shows and different times (we heard Nina Blackwood and her hoarse voice during our lunch trip today). So I'm going to have to do some exploring here.

Discussion Time: Sirius held a poll on Big '80s, asking listeners to contact them with their favorite "One-Hit Wonder." The winner? Softcell, with their hit Tainted Love. In your mind, what's the greatest one-hit wonder from the '80s?

Day 7: Totally '70s

According to Sirius: The most popular music from the '70s

Driving Circumstances: Much like my prior entry, I was driving a lot more today than I usually do, having to head to Day Two of my Toyota training. Then there was a bit more driving around until I met some friends for bowling, not returning home until around midnight.

My Experience: This was not a fun day. I handled the 20-minute trip into Toyota easily enough, getting a nice little sampling of music from the decade in which I was born. After that, though, I still spent about a total of an hour in the car, dealing with this music. Tolerating it. It's the first time during the course of the experiment that I had this longing to just reach over to the dial, and move it back to '60s Vibrations, or even up a notch...to what I know is waiting there for me. But, no, I had to tough it out.

High Point: Hearing what may have been the first techno(-ish) remix, The Spinners do a 1979 cover of Working My Way Back to You. Okay, probably not the first techno remix, but the earliest one I've heard. Low Point: Having to listen to Le Freak (1978), by Chic...twice.

Sample Playlist:

• The Edgar Winters Group, Frankenstein - 1973
• Boston, Don't Look Back - 1978
• The Eagles, Already Gone - 1974
• The Commodores, Brick House - 1977
• The Raiders, Indian Reservation - 1971
• War, Why Can't We Be Friends - 1975
  

Verdict: I don't know why they are associating the word "totally" with the '70s and not the '80s. That's a strike against it right off the bat. So, I won't be returning to Totally '70s any time soon. It just didn't do it for me. Maybe if I'd heard some Neil Diamond my tune would be different. Apparently, Barry Williams (aka Greg Brady) hosts a radio show on here. We're talking some major commitment...six days a week, four hours at at time. Well, okay, I might have to come back at some point just to check out how much of a train wreck that is...

Day 6: '60s Vibrations

According to Sirius: Relive the musical revolution of the '60s and early '70s

Driving Circumstances: A little bit different today. I had to be down at Toyota University for their "Lean Thinking" training, which teaches Toyota's marketing partners about "The Toyota Way" and their approach to eliminating the unnecessary and continual improving how they work. Very useful...and a much longer drive than I normally undertake. Plus, I didn't get to write this blog during lunch (as I normally do), so I continued to listen to '60s Vibrations while driving to the gym, and heading back home.

My Experience: Strange as it may seem, this is the music that I listened to in junior high and high school. I used to LOVE to rock out to the oldies. The Beach Boys were one of my favorite groups, and I loved the sound of Motown. So, I didn't approach today with any hesitation at all. I was familiar with most of the songs that I heard, with hits by The Beatles, Gladys Knight (and the Pips, of course) and The Rolling Stones...I even tagged one of my favorites to listen to later (The Wanderer, by Dion).

Sample Playlist

• Gladys Knight and the Pips, I Heard it Through the Grapevine
• The Byrds, Mr. Tambourine Man - 1962
• Rolling Stones, Ruby Tuesday
• The Beatles, We Can Work it Out
• The Rascals, Groovin' - 1967
• Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Nowhere to Run - 1965

Verdict: No complaints here...I enjoyed '60s Vibrations a lot. Unfortunately, it's just not the sort of music I listen to anymore (and I didn't bookmark this stations as a "favorite" the last time I did this experiment). That having been said, I discovered that '60s Vibrations has "Motown Mondays," where they play two Motown songs at the top and bottom of every hour, as well as "Surf's Up!" at 6pm (PST) each day, where they play a block of great beach music during my drive home...so I may have to pay more regular attention down the road.

Day 5: Sirius Gold

According to Sirius: The roots of Rock & Roll, from the late '50s and early '60s.

Driving Circumstances: Was a little late getting to work (about 15 minutes), but other than that, nothing too out of the ordinary. Pretty well-rested from last night, too.

My Experience: First, I had no idea what to expect when I turned the dial this morning. I knew the line-up/progression of the first four channels, but wasn't sure what to expect for today...which was kind of cool. That having been said, the first couple songs didn't raise my hopes to much: Connie Francis (My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own) and Vince Castro (Bing Bong). Things picked up at that point with some Chubby Checker, and the rest of the drive had that malt shop jukebox feel.

High Point: Listening to Buddy Holly and the Crickets sing Rave On (1958) Low Point: I was all set to flag this song and record it (my Sirius Radio allows me to save songs I like), when I entered the tunnel by LAX and lost reception.

Sample Playlist:

• Chubby Checker, Let's Twist Again - 1961
• The Murmaids, Popsicles and Icicles - 1964
• Chuck Berry, Nadine (Is It You?) - 1964
• The Cascades, Rhythm of the Falling Rain - 1963
• Marv Johnson, You Got What it Takes - 1960

Verdict: I was a little turned off right at the top of things, but got a bit more into the groove as things progressed. I might turn to this on occasion down the road, but it's nothing I'd check out on a regular basis. The good stuff didn't seem to outweigh the annoying stuff. However, according to the Sirius website, they do have Wednesday night show called Doo Wop Gold that starts up around 6pm PST, so I'll check that out on my ride home...you can't go wrong with "doo wop" music, right?

UPDATE: The Doo Wop Gold show on Sirius Gold actually struck my interest. Music like Runaround Sue and Blue Moon. Very catchy...I'm almost certain to tune back to this channel every once in a while on my Wednesday drives home to catch a song or two.

Day 4: Movin' Easy

According to Sirius: "Soft and easy favorites...all day and all night."

Driving Circumstances: Didn't get a lot of sleep last night, plus had to be into work 90 minutes early this morning, so the last thing I needed was some "soft and easy" music. I also headed out for lunch with my co-worker, Ben (who became an unwitting test subject by stepping into my car).

My Experience: When driving to work already fatigued, "soft and easy" music is the last thing you really want to hear. In fact, I've been dragging all day, probably in no small part to Movin' Easy. On the way to lunch, Ben even commented "No wonder you're so out of it today." There really weren't a whole lot of songs on here that I cared for (or recognized)...I was just crossing my fingers that I'd get at least one Neil Diamond song.

Each Sirius station also has their own little taglines and filler spots between blocks of music. For Movin' Easy, they were trying to convince me to "Go Ahead...Sing Along!" The only song I came close to doing this on was Under the Boardwalk, by The Drifters, but I only got to hear the first 30 seconds or so before pulling into work.

High Point: Getting to hear a Neil Diamond song on the way back from lunch. Low Point: That song was Stones, and not Sweet Caroline.

Sample Playlist:

• Rod Stewart, Tonight's the Night (Gonna be Alright)
• Judy Collins, Both Sides Now
• James Taylor, Shower the People
• Captain and Tennille, The I Want to Touch You
• The Beatles, In My Life
• Barbra Streisand and Barry Gibb, Guilty

Verdict: The last time I went through this experiment, Movin' Easy ended up in my favorites list (although I seldom visited it after that). Now, I'm not so sure if that was wise. I'm on the fence here, really...will have to give it another shot on the ride home, and see how it settles. Stay tuned for an update!

UPDATE: On the way home, I did get to take in a little more Neil Diamond (Song Sung Blue) and some "old" Elvis (Suspicious Minds). I think it was too little, too late, though...

Sirius Sidebar: Get 'Er Done

While my "Rules of Engagement" previously posted state that I'm allowed to take the weekends off from this experiment, I still endured Channel 3: "Sirius Love" on Saturday, on my way to the gym. However, I had an additional unwritten rule, which I must now formalize:

"If I clock in my time on a particular station as part of the experiment, I'm not allowed to officially move on to the next station until I get my report blogged and completed."

So...as witnessed in my previous blog...I had to make it through two (yes, TWO) days of soft, melodic love songs. Hopefully, I've learned my lesson.

Day 3: Sirius Love

According to Sirius: "Romantic ballads and soft pop music, featuring lyrics of love."

Driving Circumstances: The first day consisted of me jamming to Rod Stewart on the way to the gym on Saturday. Nothing pumps you up for a good back and bis workout like slow-moving ballads. Also, endured it on the drive back from the gym...a good 30-40 minutes, overall.

I never got around to actually reporting my experience, however...so on Monday, I had to listen to Sirius Love once again, on the way to work. Wonderful.

My Experience: In a word...meh. This is not stuff I would normally choose to listen to (hence the experiment), and would not even say that I enjoy...but on the other hand, the stuff is so slow-moving and peaceful that it really becomes just background noise and I got a lot of contemplative thinking done while driving to the "quiet storm" artists of Sirius Love.

High Point: Grooving to Marvin Gaye's Let's Get it On; Low Point: I still have Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle's rendition of A Whole New World (from Disney's Aladdin) going through my head...and this is over 48 hours later.

Sample Playlist:

• Chris DeBurgh, The Lady in Red
• All-4-One, I Swear
• George Michael, One More Try
• Kenny G, Silhouette
• The Manhattans, Shining Star
• Whitney Houston, Saving All My Love For You

Verdict: Well, it's good mood music, I guess...I might tune into it next Valentine's Day. But if there's anybody out there that has this in their top five stations, I kinda want to meet them, if only to smack a little sense into them.

Sirius Sidebar: Workin' for the Weekend

So...how should I handle weekends, within the context of this experiment? While it's easy to confine my listening to a particular station, I may not be in my car as much to listen to the radio. Also, I simply may have less time to blog about what I listen to.

So, in the course of this experiment, I'm giving myself the weekends off. I make the game, I make the rules. Also, I may listen to whatever I want to on Sirius, as long as it is within five channels below the station I'm currently on-deck to review. Arbirary? Yes. Fair? I think so.

Enjoy your weekend, kids.

Day 2: Starlite

According to Sirius: "Contemporary lite songs from the brightest stars in pop music."

Driving Circumstances: Once again, the morning drive on the way to work. Added bonus, though: I'm still in recovery mode from last night's festivities. Oh, and I got stuck behind a slow-moving duck while trying to leave my apartment complex. Don't ask.

My Experience: The softer musical stylings of Starlite were the perfect companion to the slightly throbbing headache I was experiencing as I headed to work. Also, I was surprised at what was considered lite. As you'll see in the playlist below, you may already be listening to lite music, and (GASP!) not even know it.

The larger philosophical question of how lite music is different from light music is too much for my poor brain to try to puzzle out today.

Sample Playlist:

• Gnarls Barkley, "Crazy"
• Wilson Phillips, "Impulsive"
• The Fray, "How to Save a Life"
• Phil Collins, "You Can't Hurry Love"
• Dixie Chicks, "Landslide"
• UB40, "The Way You Do the Things You Do"
• Kelly Clarkson, "Because of You"

Verdict: Well, I'll give it this much...I'll consider Starlite the next time I have to drive somewhere with a throbbing headache. Until a UB40 song pops up...then I'm changing the damn channel. Seriously, having to sit through "The Way You Do the Things You Do" currently holds the title of "Most Painful Part of This Experiment."