Day 67: Howard 100

My Best Guess: Catch America's #1 radio personality, Howard Stern, as well as additional programming run by other members of the Stern crew. It's all right here, and only on Sirius!

According to Sirius: The King of All Media holds court with Robin, Artie, Fred, and Gary as well as a host of outrageous Wack Packers, strippers and porn stars. Add to that A-List celebrity guests like Chris Rock and Tobey Maguire - and you've got the show at it's all-time best. Hear Howard like he's never been heard before - uncensored at 6am and re-aired throughout the day.

Curt's Rebuttal: Well, I'm not familiar enough with Stern to know the level of detail above about his show. I will say, his site on the Sirius is set-up a little differently, with no overarching description of the station. So while that listing above does describe his morning show, there are also wrap-up shows, shows run by interns, behind-the-scenes news, etc.

Sample Playlist:

• The Wrap-Up Show: Because Howard 100 is a live East Coast feed, his show was actually done by the time I drove into work. Instead, I started off the day with a show wrapping up and providing commentary on his broadcast. Today it was on very briefly (I caught the tail end of it), but there seemed to be some sort of arguing going on...
• Commercials: Here's another thing...now that we're out of commercial-free music land, we're into the talk stations that have commercials. Not high-quality, mind you, but serving a variety of needs, from how to get good stock tips to setting up a home office voice mail system to finding out all your computer network needs.
• Howard 100 News Backstage: Not news of the day, as much as news happening on the set of Stern. Today, there was a lot of talk about how Sal apparently used Stern's name in an effort to persuade Family Guy creator Seth McFarlane to create characters for him and a friend on the cartoon series. He also tried to get a role on Entourage. Much debate and derision about this.
• Howard Stern Replay: So now I got to listen to a little bit of the morning show that I missed. Jerry Rice was a guest. There was also talk about a date that Robin and Jimmy went on...and trying to get her to reveal how far it went.
  

Verdict: Not a huge Stern fan, so ended up not bookmarking it. It's nice to be out of the music part, though, and to be experiencing something different. I think I get more Stern tomorrow, though, so who knows...maybe I'll hear something that changes my mind. Stay tuned for a more in-depth report then.

Day 66: Reggae Rhythms

My Best Guess: Tune into the music of the islands, and groove to the tropical Caribbean beats of Reggae Rhythms.

According to Sirius: Finally...one station devoted to jammin' the sounds of Jamaica. Every day, enjoy Bob Marley, UB40, Burning Spear, Steel Pulse and more.

Curt's Rebuttal: I guess this was more focused on Jamaica than the whole of the Caribbean nation. I just wanted to avoid using the word "mon."

Samply Playlist:

• Tenor Saw, Fever
• UB40, Things You Say You Love
• Bob Marley and the Wailers, The Heathen
• John Holt, Stealing Stealing
• Toots and the Maytals, Bam Bam
• Jacob Miller, I'm Just a Dread

High Points: 1) Finally coming to terms with the fact that UB40 is one of my least favorite bands ever; 2) Discovering that there are multiple reggae genres, such as "Disco Reggae," as in the song Try Jah Love, by Third World.

Verdict: I was in the car a little longer than normal today, due to an eye doctor's appointment, and felt that I was somehow being punished for this by having to listen to this station. Like so many other things Caribbean (e.g. spices, rum, women), it is probably best encountered in small, monitored doses. Case in point: I am likely going to be late for work because I forgot to do this review last night, and didn't want to have to sit through the station another day, so am making sure I get this done before I walk out the door.

Day 65: Iceberg Radio

My Best Guess: If you thought that all the Great White North brought to the world was beer, hockey and cold weather, Iceberg Radio will melt those assumptions and showcase the hottest Canadian music acts of yesterday and today.

According to Sirius: 100% adult alternative Canadian music for those who love rock mixed with an eclectic blend of music styles.

Curt's Rebuttal: I like mine better.

Sample Playlist:

• Kim Mitchell, Love Overtime
• Max Webster, Let Go of the Line
• The Junction, Components of Four
• Crash Test Dummies, Superman Song
• Hot Hot Heat, Let Me In
• Feist, 1 2 3 4

High Point: Two, actually...first, the name of the channel. It's just pretty damn cool. Ha! See what I did there? Okay...ahem...secondly, I did get to hear some Barenaked Ladies, which is the only band I really KNEW to be Canadian before tuning to this channel.

Verdict: Definitely, no doubt in my mind, a bookmark. I had to listen to this for an extra day, due to not writing a review last night...and I listened to it over the weekend. I discovered several new bands and songs I hadn't heard before, and have even downloaded some albums because of it. The only downside is that for some reason, Iceberg Radio doesn't allow the tagging and downloading of particular songs, like other Sirius stations. And they have a separate, non-Sirius website. Weird.

Day 64: CBC Radio 3

My Best Guess: Hear the best that the Great White North has to offer, with the best Canadian recording artists coming straight to your Sirius dial.

According to Sirius: Dedicated to Canada's burgeoning indie music and culture scene and the place to discover the best in Canadian music first.

Curt's Rebuttal: Yep, this was definitely focusing on the indie scene...very good call.

Sample Playlist:

• The ride into work on Wednesday had several different musical acts, but all that the display on the radio showed was "Les Amis Au Pakistan, Mon Soldat De Plomb." Not really sure what's going on there, but I heard a song by The New Pornographers that I really liked, entitled (I think) My Rights vs. Yours. The ride home (as well as my travels on Thursday, as I forgot to do a report last night) featured more "normal" musical listings.
  
• Octoberman, Run from Safety
• Code Pie, Conway Killjoy
• Tijuana Bibles, Sexo Caliente
• Bend Sinister, Julianna
• Okkervil River, Unless it Kicks

High Point: Hearing the last song listed above, by a group called Okkervil River. I ended up tracking them down on iTunes and buying that track, I liked it so much.

Verdict: Let's see...an enjoyable two days of listening to music I hadn't heard before, leading up to an iTunes purchase. I definitely bookmarked this one. I was surprised at all the music that I hadn't heard before, and was really getting into...

Day 63: Bande A Part FM

My Best Guess: The very best in French-Canadian and electronic and dance music awaits you. From the latest techno beats rocking Montreal to the club music shaking Quebec City to all hours of the morning, we have it here on ???.

According to Sirius: A Radio-Canada channel dedicated to the best emerging Francophone pop, rock, electonica, hip-hop, punk and world music.

Curt's Rebuttal: First off, I wasn't able to read the logo on my Sirius receiver (it was too small and complex), so I had no idea what the name of this channel was. Secondly, I didn't hear any rock or pop...just electronic and dance (and maybe a little hip-hop). But...I did recognize it as French, so I have that going for me.

Sample Playlist:

• "Ecrivez-nous/Feedback": This is all the receiver said on my ride into work, although several French/Franglish songs were playing. Dusting off my four years of high school French, I knew that "Ecrivez-nous" meant "Write us," or...well..."feedback." Wasn't sure what that had to do with the music I was listening to, though.
• The music on the way home was pretty much all electronic and dance, with catchy titles such as:
• Still in Love, by The Stills
• J'te comprend, by Catburglaz
• Je sais mentir (maintenant), by Noemie Smith
• Plage 03, by Yomul Yuk
• Smily Walking Corpse 3, by Helico Bacter

High Point: Knowing there's a French musical group called "Catburglaz" and a song called Smily Walking Corpse 3. In a perfect world, the former would have performed the latter. Ah, well...now to find MP3s of Smily Walking Corpse and Smily Walking Corpse 2: Electric Boogaloo.

Verdict: Although I stood a better chance of understanding this station than the two previous Spanish-language stations, I still have to say that I've enjoyed the upbeat rhythms of Rumbon more than this...and if I didn't bookmark that one, this one will have to be passed up, too.

Day 62: Rumbon

My Best Guess: Hot Latin beats take over your radio as you tune into the sassiest pop and dance from south of the border.

According to Sirius: A red-hot mix of Salsa, Merengue and the biggest Reggaeton hits with a sprinkle of Spanish Hip Hop and Bachata. We provide the music - all you need is a dance floor!

Curt's Rebuttal: I really had no idea what to write (come on...I said "sassiest" for heaven's sake)...but as it turns out, I was damn near spot on.

Sample Playlist:

• Calle 13, Atrevete-te
• Elvis Crespo, Llore y Llore
• Toby Love, feat. Rakin and Ken Y, Tengo Un Amor
• Tono Rosario, Cortame Las Venas
• Juan Carlos Coronel, Baracaniguara
• Mayra Veronica, Mama Mia

High Point: At one point I thought I was suddenly granted the ability to understand Spanish, but it turns out it was just Tengo Un Amor (mentioned above), a bilingual song. So, sorry...no...it wasn't Menudo.

Verdict: Was a bit more fun/upbeat than yesterday, but afraid I'm going to have to pass again on bookmarking.

Day 61: Universo Latino

My Best Guess: For the best in Latin music, across all genres, there's no better source in the "mundo" then Universo Latino!

According to Sirius: Today's mix of Spanish Contemporary hit music. Pop, rock and ballads representing all corners of Central and South America, plus the Latin Caribbean countries.

Curt's Rebuttal: Okay, they may have had me on accuracy, but I threw "mundo" in there, so that should count for something.

Sample Playlist:

• Luis Fonsi, Nada Es Para Siempre
• David Bisbal, Amar Es Lo Que Quiero
• Ana Gabriel, Soledad
• Camila, Todo Cambio
• La Oreja De Van Gogh, La Playa
• Enrique Iglesias, Dimelo

High Points: Picking out words I knew from the lyrics: Quiero, habla, mundo...

Verdict: If I was trying to learn another language, perhaps. But part of the enjoyment for me is singing along...and that's tough to do when you don't know the lyrics.

Day 60: Sirius Pops

My Best Guess: Only on Sirius Pops can hear the most famous classical music pieces all in one place, along with modern interpretations of all-time favorites

According to Sirius: Classical music's greatest hits. The most popular classical pieces of all time, performed by the world's most renowned orchestras and soloists.

Curt's Rebuttal: Not to toot my own horn, but...TOOT. I think I pretty much nailed this one on the head.

Sample Playlist:

• Gioachino Rossini, La Cenerentela: Overture (performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra)
• Camille Saint-Saens, Aquarium (performed by Ross Pople and the London Festival Orchestra)
• Nicolo Paganini, Perpetuum Mobile, Op. 11 (performed by Michael Rabin)

High Points: Hearing classical pieces I actually recognized, as opposed to being some random combination of "Symphony #," "Key," and "Opus #." Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, anyone?

Verdict: Of the three classical stations listened to thus far, this is one I will most likely be bookmarking...unless a different one comes along tomorrow that I like better.

Day 59: Metropolitan Opera Radio

My Best Guess: Hear the best opera that the New York Met has to offer, from what's currently on stage to great performances from years past. From opening arias to grand finales, you won't want to miss a note!

According to Sirius: Metropolitan Opera Radio offers up to four live broadcasts weekly during the season as well as an amazing collection of live recordings, newly restored and re-mastered, from the Met's illustrious radio broadcast history.

Curt's Rebuttal: Very impressed...didn't know about the live broadcasts. I did catch on to the "archival" aspect of the channel, though.

Sample Playlist: I thought that transcribing the songs from Symphony Hall was tough, but that was nothing compared to this channel. Take, for example, the gem: "Rossini: Il Barbiere di Siviglia; 3/2/74 - Pritchard; Walker, Elias, Goeke." This tells us that you're listening to Rossini's The Barber of Seville, which was original performed on March 2, 1974, with Pritchard conducting the orchestra, and the principal opera singers being Walker, Elias and Goeke. Some of the entries even listed the title of the song. Anyway, I also heard stuff by Verdi and Wagner, for what it's worth.

Verdict: While interesting, wasn't really my cup of tea, and didn't end up bookmarking it. If I had to choose a "classical" channel, Symphony Hall is so far taking the prize. They do get bonus points, though, for honoring the memory of Luciano Pavarotti by airing some of his finest Met performances over eight successive nights.

Day 58: Symphony Hall

My Best Guess: The best place on your radio dial to catch classical pieces from the world's most prolific composers, performed by top-notch symphonies from around the world.

According to Sirius: Simply the very best classical music performed by the world's finest orchestras, chamber music ensembles, and instrumental soloists. Bach, Beethoven, Brahms...world-class performances of the world's greatest classical music.

Curt's Rebuttal: Sure, they said "world-class" and I said "top-notch," but the sentiment was there. They do point out that it isn't just symphonic orchestras you'll here, though...that you might sometimes catch other ensembles or even soloists. I stand corrected.

Sample Playlist: Okay, a little different this time around...largely because I only got to hear one piece on the way to work (Anton Brucker's Symphony No. 6 in A Major, as performed by the New Philharmonia Orchestra) and a different song on the way home (Antonin Dvorak's Symphony No. 6 in D Major, Op. 60, as performed by the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra). Those pieces were damn long!

High Points: Wondering if every song on this channel was a "No. 6," and learning that the guy who made the "Dvorak keyboard" also composed music.

Verdict: Was close to bookmarking this, and I still may. I think I need to see what the other "classical" channels include before I commit...because I think I'll only commit to one.

Day 57: Broadway's Best

My Best Guess: Classic movie musicals and the brightest stars on the musical stage share the spotlight on Broadway's Best, bring to your Sirius dial everything from classic Rodgers & Hammerstein to Sondheim to Andrew Lloyd Webber.

According to Sirius: You're front row center for the greatest hits of Broadway! All your favorite show tunes sung by the stars of the musical stage, bringing Broadway to every street in America.

Curt's Rebuttal: Fair enough, but there were songs from movie musicals, too. Just for the record.

Sample Playlist:

• Stephanie Mills & Hinton Battle (The Wiz Original Broadway Cast), Ease on Down the Road
• Les Miserables Original Broadway Cast, One Day More
• Donna Kane (Meet Me in St. Louis Original Broadway Cast), The Trolley Song
• Alfred J. Drake (Oklahoma! Original Cast Album), Oklahoma!
• Marilyn Cooper & Chita Rivera (West Side Story Original Broadway Cast), America
• Julie Andrews (Mary Poppins Soundtrack), A Spoonful of Sugar

High Points: Honestly, hearing the first two songs in the sample playlist above. They just happen to be two songs I really dig. Good times.

Verdict: Surprisingly, I bookmarked this. I guess the thing I liked about this channel (and I was actually on it for two days, as I was too tired to review it last night) was that each song gives you a glimpse into a larger story, and as you hear more songs from that same musical, the story kind of comes together. I don't know...kinda like a little audio jigsaw puzzle.

Sirius Sidebar: Zzzzz...

Sorry...I'm just sleepy, and have been working all evening. Going to have to delay this next review until tomorrow night.

Day 56: Siriusly Sinatra

My Best Guess: Straight from the lungs of ol' Blue Eyes himself, as well as some of his most famous friends and contemporaries, relive the glory days of the Rat Pack with Siriusly Sinatra.

According to Sirius: The Chairman of the Board is at home everyday on channel 75 along with the great voices of our time. From Dean Martin and Tony Bennett to Michael Buble and Diana Krall, Frank is joined by great artists and America's greatest songs. Finally, a 24 hour home for all things Sinatra and the Great American Songbook.

Curt's Rebuttal: Wow, they got wordy. Plus, I think I still nailed two out of three...Sinatra nickname and being joined by peers. I missed the mark, though, on how the channel has current hits, as well.

Sample Playlist:

• Rosemary Clooney, I'll Be Seeing You
• Nancy Sinatra and Frank Sinatra, Somethin' Stupid
• Frank Sinatra, Moonlight in Vermont
• Charlie Watts Quintet, Love Walked In
• Natalie Cole, Let's Face the Music and Dance
• Frank Sinatra, Mean to Me

Verdict: This station was a nice surprise, as it didn't exist the last time I took a spin around the dial. Not going to bookmark it in the car, but may tune into it if I'm having an appropriately themed party.