Are you guilty of the ‘I would listen to the radio but I don’t know Boston stations’ mindset? Fair enough but with this guide to Boston radio you no longer have an excuse. This city’s dial is home to many legendary frequencies that continue to broadcast your favorite genres and musical niches.
Growing up in southern New Hampshire which admittedly sometimes seems like northern Massachusetts we always had the same stations as Boston. Weren’t we so cool, driving to high school, hearing about the events at far away Paradise, Avalon and the Fleet Center?
92.9: ‘WBOS’
The sound: One word: eclectic. You might peg it as a mellow, acoustic-heavy station, bordering on easy listening, but then the denizens of rock at 92.9 will whip a live, alternate take on Neil Young’s ‘Keep on Rockin’ in the Free World’ to turn every misconception on its head. Don’t question it just enjoy the genre-bending, slow-to-anger sounds wafting from your radio.
Best programming: ‘Sunday Morning Overeasy’ is an acoustic show every Sunday morning, hosted by George Knight. Its rare Band/Dylan collaborations, Hole acoustic covers and cuts from local artists will soothe even the most horrific hangover perfect for those first delicate moments of consciousness on a lazy weekend morning.
In your ear: Ben Harper, Peter Gabriel, Los Lonely Boys.
93.7: ‘STAR’
The sound: Its mix of dance and disco, pop and sex appeal make this the flashiest, most flamboyant station in the metro area. Its day-glo patina attracts housewives and clubbers alike who doesn’t want to shake a tailfeather when it’s raining men?
Best programming: What isn’t the best programming?
In your ear: Prince, Justin Timberlake, and any pop-techo, including but not limited to, that ‘I Miss You, Like the Deserts Miss the Rain’ song.
94.5: ‘JAM’N’
The sound: If you love Eminem and like your rap Nelly-ized and Beyonce-ized, then tune into this fun-loving frequency. This station plays the same five songs for three months until it picks up a new set. Repetitive, anyone?
Best programming: How about the worst thing? The morning show is hideous it’s hosted by Ramiro ‘The Freakin’ Puerto Rican.’ Need I say more?
In your ear: Who else? Eminem, Nelly and Beyonce. That’s it.
100.7: ‘WZLX’
The sound: This is a working-man’s station aging hipsters from the Aerosmith-J. Geils-Cars days raise their Dunkin’ Donuts coffee cups in unison to the songs that get them through the tough 9-to-5ers. The DJs proudly gab in their genuine Bawston accents, while they spin the songs that never go outta style. All your old friends are there: Bobbie D., the Beatles, ELO, T. Rex and The Boss are among the greats.
Best programming: Where do I start? WZLX has musical perks throughout the day: ’10:15 Coffee Break’ (a live, rare song); ‘The Three-fer at Three’ (three of your favorite songs, including a lost classic from one artist or band), ‘The Attitude Adjustment Hour’ (an all-request hour geared to those stuck in traffic) and ‘Stairway to Seven’ (a deep cut from Led Zep every evening I’m sorry, how cool is that?).
In your ear: Rolling Stones, Boston, U2.
101.7: ‘FNX’
The sound: Where 104.1 has turned more toward mainstream ‘new rock,’ FNX would never be caught dead playing P.O.D. Instead, 101.7 stays true to the underground that punkier music we all know and love.
Best programming: Julie Kramer’s ‘Leftover Lunch,’ from 12-1 p.m. every weekday, is by far the best program on Boston radio. It’s really the only place to hear new wave from the ’80s, rare alternative and Seattle grunge from the early ’90s and Kramer is Daria incarnate.
In your ear: Outkast, Radiohead, Hot Hot Heat.
103.3: ‘oldies’
The sound: Lots of classic oldies from the ’60s and early ’70s. You probably remember a similar station from road trips with your family back in the day a great pick-me-up when you feel like singing along.
Best programming: If you like your George, Ringo, John and Paul early in the morning (and who doesn’t?) tune into the ‘Beatles Brunch’ every Sunday morning from 9-10 a.m. Deep cuts heard recently on the program: ‘Baby, You’re a Rich Man,’ ‘She Said, She Said’ and ‘Long, Long, Long.’
In your ear: The Turtles, The Grass Roots, The Lovin’ Spoonful.
107.9: ‘kiss’
The sound: I’m not going to lie. I always made my parents turn this station on in the car in 7th grade. They probably wanted to kill me, because ‘Kiss 108’ is the most basic, generic ‘Top 40’ station think attitude t-shirts and glitter. Not only does Kiss play John Mayer, Hillary Duff and Dido 24-7 they also keep songs on rotation long after their expiration dates (see ‘Remedy’ by Jason Mraz and ‘Where is the Love?’ by the Black-Eyed Peas on the countdown list).
Best programming: If you are looking for cheese, tune into ‘Casey Casem’s Top 40’ every Sunday morning from 8 a.m. to noon. That’s four hours 40 pop songs could easily fit into two and a half hours. If you want to hear number one, you have to sit through two superfluous hours of Casem’s annoying nasal voice and ‘request and dedications.’ Just don’t do it.
In your ear: Barenaked Ladies, 3 Doors Down, Kelly Clarkson.