The Fish

Boring, boring, boring. Blah, blah, blah . . . the lyrics are lost on this non-Christian. If the music was interesting then maybe I could get into this channel. Hey, I like reggae and I'm not rastafarian. The Fish plays softer music than the Torch.

The Fish, Christian Pop, XM 32
My previous experience with channel: none.

Heard on The Fish:
"That's What Love is For", Amy Grant; "Great Light of T", Bebo Norman; "Shake Me to Wake Me", Steve Camp; "Ocean Floor", Audio Adrenaline; "Majesty", Delirious; "Here With Me", Mercy Me; "Amazing Love", Passion; "This Is My Prayer to You", Sadler/Becker; "Soldiers", Out of Eden; "If We Are the Body", Casting Crowns; "Nothing to Say", Andrew Peterson; "This I Know", Margaret Becker; "With A Little Faith", Stacie Orrico; "Right Here", Jeremy Camp; "I Am Sure", Michael W Smith; "Presence", Newsboys; "Love Song for A", Jars of Clay; "Can't Get Past the", 4 Him; "Everyday People", Nicole C Mullen; "Matter of Time", Sarah Kelly; "Should I Tell Them", Shaun Groves; "Smile", Chris Rice.

Time spent listening: about an hour.

Tomorrow: Spirit, gospel, XM 33

X Country

This channel is often described as country music for people who don't like country music. This is pretty much on the mark. It's also described as "progressive" country. I think that it's regressive country and that's a compliment. X Country plays music that blends rock 'n' roll, the blues and early R&B with country, kind of like Johnny Cash meets Buddy Holly. I can appreciate a roots channel like this, but for some reason it doesn't excite me that much. I'll tune in again, maybe I just hit a rough patch.

X Country, Progressive Country, XM 12
My previous experience with channel: not much.

Heard on X Country:
"Too Far to Fall", Uncle Walt's Ban; "Waiting on a Train", Steve Forbert; "Goin' Down in Style", Robert Earl Keen; "Mr. Dependability", Duane Jarvis; "Something to Look", Jon Dee Graham; "Yama Yama Pretty Mama", Big Sandy; "Everybody Went Low", John Hiatt; "Monkey in the Middle", Chuck Prophet; "Lovers Vacation", Paul Thorn; "Back Into Your W", Son Volt; "Cry", Danny Click; "Shut Up", Kieran Kane; "Not Enough of You", Rhodes Tavern T; "Back to You", Jason Boland; "What Do You Know", Dwight Yoakam.

Time spent listening: a little under an hour.

Tomorrow: The Fish, Christian Pop, XM 32

Ngoma

What a pleasant surprise! At first I thought "this sounds kinda strange", then I thought "this will make a good background channel" and finally I just plain like this channel. The vocals are wonderful (even when not sung in English) with nice harmonies and the rhythms are catchy without being overbearing. In addition to being informative, the DJs are also warm and inviting. Overall a well done channel that I intend to listen to more.

Ngoma, African, XM 102
My previous experience with channel: very little.

Heard on Ngoma:
"Sandruma", Sacramento; "Ko Ko Ko Ko", Koffi Olomide; "Femme de Feu", Gadji Celi; "Siyobonana", Brenda Fassie; "Pitbull Chien Me", Benz Petrole; "Toman Tehti Mbak", Soukous Stars; "Iwai Nesu", Chiwoniso; "Ambiance Soukour", Aurlus Mabele; "Hima", Nawal; "Batoumambe", Habib Kotie; "Dia Le Mi", Angele Assele; "Allah", Youssou N'dour; "I'm Gonna Fly", Mercy Myra; "So Doce So Ei", Boy Mendes Ge; "Welcome Mbilia", Mbilia Bel; "Nsati", Jeff Maluleke.

Time spent listening: about three hours and I'll be back.

Tomorrow: X Country, Progressive Country, XM 12

The System

Trance music to use in hosting your own rave at home (Ecstasy not included). If you like drum machines and synthesizer loops with or without nonsensical lyrics ("Step right up, step right up"), then The System is right up your alley. I know my alleys and this isn't one of them.

The System, Electronica, XM 82
My previous experience with channel: none.

Heard on The System:
"Air Batucada", Thievery Corpora; "The Beat Goes On", E-Craig; "Blank and Jones", the Hardest Heat; "Pulse", Ecosphere; "Cowgirl", Underworld; "Sweetest Dreams", Corderoy; "One 4 da Head", Buzz Fiend; "Offshore", Chicane; "Sonic", Cramer Rouse; "Step Right Up", Hooked; "Bloodlock", Sasha; "Renegade", Christopher Lawr.

Time spent listening: a little under an hour.

Tomorrow: Ngoma, African, XM 102

The Loft

I like the Loft but it's not a pre-set. Why? I only have a limited amount of pre-sets and I prefer XM Cafe slightly over the Loft. "Acoustic Rock" is a bit of a misnomer in describing the Loft; "soft rock" is more like it. This isn't exactly an unplugged channel, every song isn't acoustic.

If you like XM Cafe then you'll probably like the Loft.

The Loft, Acoustic Rock, XM 50
My previous experience with channel: prior pre-set.

Heard on The Loft:
"Days Like This", Van Morrison; "Call Me Mellow", Tears for Fears; "Feelin' the Same", Norah Jones; "Motel Blues", Big Star; "I am the Cosmos", Chris Bell; "Live 'til You Die", Emitt Rhodes; "Late Night Radio", Greg Brown; "I'd Rather Have You", Thad Cockrell; "She's So Tough", Walter Egan; "This Is How It Goes", Aimee Mann; "Rock and Roll Ghost", the Replacements; " Sound of Silence", Simon and Garfunkel; "Love Throws A Line", Patty Griffin; "Bartering Lines", Ryan Adams; "Goodbye Look", Donald Fagen; "Los Angelenos", Billy Joel; "Can't Stop the Sun", Tom Petty; "At Sea", Pushstars; "Change the World", Eric Clapton; "Deep Dark Truthful Mirror", Elvis Costello; "Believe in Something", Posies; "Sails", Orleans.

Time spent listening: 60 to 90 minutes.

Tomorrow: The System, Electronica, XM 82

The Flow

The Flow plays the "next generation of soul." The singers sing in the same style as classic soul with the music updated for the new millennium (drum machines and synthesizers). I like this channel but not enough to make it a pre-set. In the future I'll listen to the Flow when I want to break out of my usual routine for a little bit. Be sure to check it out especially if you like Soul Street (classic soul) or Suite 62 (urban adult).

The Flow, Neo Soul, XM 61
My previous experience with channel: I've never tuned in before.

Heard on The Flow:
"Hello, Goodbye", Van Hunt; "Far Away", Kindred; "Crush", Zhane; "Whatever You Want", N'dea Davenport; "Rider", St. Juste; "Aphrodisiac", Frayne; "Let's Do It Again", Jaguar Wright; "Sweetest Thing", Lathun; "Everyday", Jamroquaid; "Make It Alright", Carl Thomas; "Mississippi", Andreus; "The Life", Mystic; "My Petition. Jill Scott; "Right Back at You", Eric Roberson; "Paradise", Hil St. Soul; "On and On", Erykah Badu.

Time spent listening: about an hour.

Tomorrow: The Loft, Acoustic Rock, XM 50

Reflection and Projection

Last week featured Fred, one of my favorite channels, along with a few channels that I sampled for the first time. However On Broadway (Show Tunes) and The Heart (Love Songs) aren't appealing to me.

I rate last week's channels this way:
1. Fred
2. The Groove
3. Fine Tuning
4. The Heart
5. On Broadway
6. Highway 16

Channels next week:
Mon. The Flow, Neo Soul, XM 61
Tue. The Loft, Acoustic Rock, XM 50
Wed. The System, Electronica, XM 82
Thu. Ngoma, African, XM 102
Fri. X Country, Progressive Country, XM 12
Sat. The Fish, Christian Pop, XM 32

Of the six featured channels next week, I've only listened to The Loft with any regularity. However I have listened to Ngoma and X Country for short periods of time. This is a nice mix of channels and I look forward to checking out some channels I've neglected in the past.

Sunday Spotlight
MTV Radio and VH1 Radio (XM 155, XM 156)
These two channels largely play music, but they're in the Talk & Variety neighborhood because they also play commercials.

MTV Radio plays a lot of current hits and some of MTV television's shows. Real World on the radio, anyone? MTV Radio will also occasionally simulcast MTV television's programming, such as award shows (like the Video Music Awards). At five minutes to the hour there's usually an MTV News break. If you like the music videos on MTV2, then you'll like MTV Radio.

VH1 mixes in some classic rock with current music (it kind of reminds me of Virgin Radio UK) and has Sit and Spin, where a celebrity is interviewed and plays some of his/her favorite songs. Behind the Music and Legends aren't too bad on the radio either.

Unfortunately there isn't really a regular schedule for these two decent channels, so things are hit-and-miss.