Time To Cut Back On Expenditures, Chris Botti
Another smooth jazz station bites the dust thanks to Clear Channel, this time in Baltimore, as WSMJ 104.3 flipped last week to what is described by the station as “a 1990’s-intensive modern rock format”. Unfortunately, that seems to mean a Stereo MC’s flashback is occasionally thrown in with the Seether and Finger Eleven to mix things up a bit. Still, which format is more dreadful these days? Smooth jazz or “modern rock”?
Seether – Rise Above This:
Ludo – Love Me Dead:
vs.
Jessy J – Tequila Moon:
Kenny G – Sax-O-Loco:
To me, it’s nearly a draw, as smooth jazz is so far removed from the actual jazz genre that there’s no mistaking the two these days (in fact, the “official” radio genre designation is “Smooth AC”, which seems more appropriate). The history of “modern rock” seems to have been rewritten, permanently erasing the Sire-heavy 80’s playlists of KROQ and treating “Plush” as the dawn of time. Also helping the cause of smooth jazz is the fact that Ludo is a curse on humanity. Such is life. As an added bonus with the format change, Baltimore residents also get a syndicated morning show, Elliott In The Morning (albeit a regional one, thankfully) as well. Thanks for everything, Clear Channel!
