Calgary Radio

[Bobblehead]

I think all the new stations have been broadcasting for a while.
Fuel 90.3
X 92.9
Energy 105

For those of you who still listen to terrestrial Calgary radio, what do you think? Have you switched stations? Noticed any changes?

Personally I have taken a liking to Fuel 90.3
Once they started getting their playlist filled out it hasn't been bad. And mixing some older stuff along with Snow Patrol, Arcade Fire, Deatch Cab for Cutie, and so on, is kind of nice.

I have also noticed the odd time I do switch to something like CJay that they have tweaked their line-up and are playing some stuff that they used to overlook. Perhaps they have been shaken out of their complacency?

It is sure nice that there are more than one or 2 rock stations in the market.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

Energy 105 sounds like Vibe. So it's kinda lame to me. I was hoping for an all r&b/hiphop/club mix station.

[troutman]

X 92.9 has been a disappointment to me. The signal is usually static. And I guess I have a different definition of "alternative" than they do. Most songs seem to be by some kind of watered-down Green Day clones.

[fredr123]

I have enjoyed x92.9. Most of the people on CP who are vocal about their music preferences tend to endorse some pretty esoteric independent stuff and that's fine. The stuff on x92.9 probably isn't alternative enough for you but it is a nice alternative when faced with the choice of cjay, jack or the vibe.

In my mind, the low signal strength is unacceptable. Parts of the city can't even receive a clear signal. Bah. And the whole "x as extreme or something" thing is irritating. Play the music and stop trying to be so cool.

[Rhettzky]

^^ I agree. Also, that lady with the nasally voice is super annoying. I wish they'd can her.

[someguy51]

I stopped listening to Calgary radio all together a few years ago. Since x92 came I started listening again a little. While I agree its not perfect (I think they play too much 90s) and the signal strength is weak its something you can actually listen too. I like the fact that they play local stuff. Speaking of that, I am going to see what I can learn about "The Martyr Index"

[soulchoice]

I find it rather odd or strange that they decided to call 105, Energy 105. I follow radio very closely throughout the world and for the most part stations that use the Energy moniker usually are a dance, hiphop or rnb type format. Meanwhile here, they seem to be playing top40, adult a/c, and god forbid I have heard the odd mainstream country artist.

[zarrell]

Variety is good, but when I'm at work and the radio is on all day, I'll listen to the Q107 morning show and switch it to CJAY when Forbes is off the air.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by fredr123

I have enjoyed x92.9. Most of the people on CP who are vocal about their music preferences tend to endorse some pretty esoteric independent stuff and that's fine. The stuff on x92.9 probably isn't alternative enough for you but it is a nice alternative when faced with the choice of cjay, jack or the vibe.

In my mind, the low signal strength is unacceptable. Parts of the city can't even receive a clear signal. Bah. And the whole "x as extreme or something" thing is irritating. Play the music and stop trying to be so cool.

Yep I agree - pissed off with the signal strength, but the music is a massive upgrade over CJAY - I haven't gone back.

But seriously Trout, they play bands like Radiohead, New Pornos, PB&J and some other stuff you like, it is the best you're going to get. There just isn't a market for the "alternative" you're thinking about.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

Originally Posted by soulchoice

I find it rather odd or strange that they decided to call 105, Energy 105. I follow radio very closely throughout the world and for the most part stations that use the Energy moniker usually are a dance, hiphop or rnb type format. Meanwhile here, they seem to be playing top40, adult a/c, and god forbid I have heard the odd mainstream country artist.

Exactly. I was confused when I first tuned in.

[Thunderball]

Three more stations, but less choice than ever... seems that until Canada does away with its MAPL - Canadian Content rules, we're doomed to station after station of Nickelback and other mainstream Canadian music.

x92.9 was the biggest disappointment since they seemed to make the largest effort to look alternative and different. Stuff that CJAY plays on the ride to work is not alternative.

All these new stations gave me is three more options to channel surf to find something less odious than the station before it.

[Muta]

While Calgary radio is light years behind other major cities (Auckland and Toronto come to mind), I think some of you are being waaay too picky.

I listen to X929 and it's a huge upgrade over CJAY. Fuel is as well. No radio station is going to singlehandedly please everybody. Atleast with these three new stations, you have some variety, as opposed to before.

And whoever said X929 plays too much 90's stuff, well, I listen to it almost everyday at work, and there's some 90's, but not much. It's a healthy mix between new and old. I personally like the lineup and the DJ's.

The station does have a man-crush on Alexisonfire, which I think is awesome, haha.

[Deelow]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

Three more stations, but less choice than ever... seems that until Canada does away with its MAPL - Canadian Content rules, we're doomed to station after station of Nickelback and other mainstream Canadian music.

Less choice than ever?
I've browsed the top 20 of the new rock stations and there are a large number of artists that never would have been heard 6 months ago...including several Alberta artists that are not ahem..Nickelback.

X
Nine Inch Nails- Capital G
Plain White Tees- Here There Delilah
Alexisonfire- Rough Hands
Marble Index- Everyone Else
(AB)Social Code- Bomb Hands
(AB)Ten Second Epic- Old Habits
Tokyo Police Club- Nature Of The...
Brand New- Jesus Working
Cold War Kids- Hang Me Up To Dry

Fuel
Rocco Delucca- Colorful
Keane- Nothing In My Way
(AB) The Dudes- Do The Right Thing
Modest Mouse- Dashboard
(AB) Wil- Wedding Dress
Joel Plaskett- Snowed In
Amy Winehouse- You KNow I"m No Good
Feist- My Moon My Man
Payolas- Bomb
Jets Overhead- Life's A Song

I agree CanCon is a problem and I believe both of these stations have agreed to play 40%, which is way too much, but what does this have to do with Nickelback? Nickelback is huge in the states as are Three Days Grace and now Finger Eleven...they are going to get played no matter what. The fact is both of stations are bringing variety to the Calgary airwaves that was not there 6 months ago.

[SanFranFlamesFan]

It's a lot better than it was. I always thought it ridiculous that a Canadian city of Calgary's size didn't have a single station that would play something like Arcade Fire or New Pornographers. I had been lusting after Edmonton's Sonic for a while and was listening to their stream. Now with Fuel and X92.9 it's good enough that I'll flip between them. It's nice that it's kicked CJAY's ass a bit too.

[liamenator]

Originally Posted by someguy51

Speaking of that, I am going to see what I can learn about "The Martyr Index"

Local punk band started and co-fronted by a veteran of the Calgary scene, Mark Vermin (formerly of Inquisition)... They have been around for a while now, 5 or so years, have released 2 records (2002's 1936 & 2006's It's Called Rock 'n Roll) and play quite a bit around town (though they don't have any upcoming shows lined up).

They can rock pretty hard and are REALLY good live... A little political for my tastes but all that aside, their cover of Thin Lizzy's Jailbreak (featuring fiddle-as-siren) is worth the cover of a show or the price of the new record.

I didn't realize they were playing them on X... Good for them!

[Flames_Gimp]

I listen to 92.9, the only thing that pisses me off is they play the tragically hip...i hate the hip
cjay, well nickleback...thats all I have to say ...uggghh

[Antithesis]

I haven't listened to 'music' radio in years ... it's Fan 960 for me all the time when I am in the car ... guess I'm getting old.

[kipperfan]

X 92.9 is the only way to go. As has been said prevoiusly the signal strength sucks but the music they play is much, much better then any of the alternatives.

[gottabekd]

X92.9 has been nice. They play a lot of new music, mixed with some favourites from the 90s, and aren't afraid to throw in a classic or two.

My one complaint is that they still don't play enough variety. Just like Cjay (when I used to listen to it), they would have about 8 songs that you would hear 4 of them every hour.

[troutman]

I find I listen most to:

Fan 960
CBC2
CJSW