89.3 The Current

So good old MPR has come out with a new radio station, to add to its NPR-like news station and its classical music station, and I just can't get enough of it. It's ad-free, listener-supported radio, and the playlist might be the most eclectic and refreshing compilation I've heard.

Tonight, for instance, I heard Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, The Postal Service, Death Cab for Cutie, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, Calexico, Sonic Youth, R.E.M., Arcade Fire, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Low, The Owls, Tom Waits, PJ Harvey, Muddy Waters, Iggy Pop, and a host of others... in no particular order.

It's absolutely wonderful -- and you can stream it online for free, in CD quality if you've got WinAmp (or equiv.)

I'd urge any readers to check it out. Just give it a listen for a half hour to see if it's something up your alley. Chances are, if you have any taste for good music, you'll enjoy it.

Believe me, it beats the hell out of anything on the air down here in Chicago aside from a jazz station, but you can only pick that up with a short wave radio within 5 blocks of the station.

I've been waiting a long time for a good radio station to emerge in the Minneapolis market. A few stations flirted with this idea, but were unable to sustain profit... But, I'm fairly confident that this station will make it -- not only becuase MPR has something like $4 Billion sitting around inside mattresses -- but becuase liberal Minnesota loves public-service things like this.

Give it a go. I hope you enjoy.