I am in agreement with anyone dissapointed with XM. I got it and after the novelty wore off, the programming became very tiresome. Only XMU is of value on the entire lineup if you ask me. Everything else is just too gimmicky or too much like FM (20 songs in heavy rotation). They are in it to make money and they aim to please the lowest common denominator. Real music fans need not apply. Oh, No DJs which in my opinion sucks. The human element of a good DJ with a good catalog, imagination and desire to seek out new artists blows away a computer picking the top tracks some program director thinks will appeal to the masses (oh, and watch out for weird insertions of top popular hit songs in a lot of the formats where they dont seem to belong). After a full year of empty promisses and email replies from their program directors, nothing ever changed. FM is free and you will get no better on XM. I did not renew my subscription and have no plans to do so. I actually heard Sirius had better programming, but to me, its the DJs that make the difference (the live person making song selections on the fly, not the cheesy jibberish). At least FM still offers that on most stations and for free. If you have a stereo that plays MP3s, I bet you could make your own programmed set of songs that beats out XM any day, esp if you actually like music. Ok, time to step off my soap box.
XM vs. Sirius
don't know what you were listening to…
first, FM is not free. you pay for it with your time listening to commercials and contests and idiotic promotions.
the notion that satellite radio is anything like FM is ridiculous. XM has seven, arguably eight (if you count the 40s channel), full time jazz stations programming to different jazz niches. There probably aren't seven full-format jazz stations of any kind in the entire country!
Same for the rest of the lineup. Of the 68 music channels, there aren't more than five or six that duplicate common FM formats.
Sounds like it isn't for you because XM can't read your mind. Radio is designed to offer music for your consideration – some of which you know and like, some of which you don't know and might like, and some of which you don't know and don't want to know. It's not SUPPOSED to be the same experience as you selecting music you already have.
first, FM is not free. you pay for it with your time listening to commercials and contests and idiotic promotions.
the notion that satellite radio is anything like FM is ridiculous. XM has seven, arguably eight (if you count the 40s channel), full time jazz stations programming to different jazz niches. There probably aren't seven full-format jazz stations of any kind in the entire country!
Same for the rest of the lineup. Of the 68 music channels, there aren't more than five or six that duplicate common FM formats.
Sounds like it isn't for you because XM can't read your mind. Radio is designed to offer music for your consideration – some of which you know and like, some of which you don't know and might like, and some of which you don't know and don't want to know. It's not SUPPOSED to be the same experience as you selecting music you already have.
We've got Sirius in our house and in the car. I'm not going to argue on the point that XM may have more varied music programming or stuff that is more up your alley.
But for variety of programming, I'll take Sirius anyday over XM. I admit to listening to alot of news programs and am a bit of an NPR junkie. Sirius has at least four public radio related streams. We're also heavily into hockey and Sirius carries the NHL broadcasts, which is great for us.
So…not arguing that XM may be better for some, but I think that if you're into news/talk programming, and you've got a left wing bent, then Sirius is the way to go. We've had it since January and love it.
But for variety of programming, I'll take Sirius anyday over XM. I admit to listening to alot of news programs and am a bit of an NPR junkie. Sirius has at least four public radio related streams. We're also heavily into hockey and Sirius carries the NHL broadcasts, which is great for us.
So…not arguing that XM may be better for some, but I think that if you're into news/talk programming, and you've got a left wing bent, then Sirius is the way to go. We've had it since January and love it.
Originally posted by picklehead Jones:A 'real music fan' as you put it, shouldn't give a rats about a dj, because they're all about the music.
Real music fans need not apply. Oh, No DJs which in my opinion sucks.
If you think fm is just as good as xm you should remove the earplugs you obviously still have in after the last Blink 182 concert you attended.
No one wants a DJ droning on endlessly about nothing, but a good DJ gives a show or station personality, picks good sequences of songs and talk about them, talks up new artists, etc. No 'real music fan' listens to music in a total information vacuum.
Based on what I've read, XM stations seem to lack some degree of passion and personality. Of course you have xxx number of stations, but there's a clear dearth of the last 20 years of indie rock, since XMU apparently plays only songs from the last 18 months. I'd love to see 1 or 2 passionate music geek-like channels, with playlist advisement or shows from Big Takeover, No Depression, Pitchfork, Magnet, etc., coverage of the best of indie and underground folk, rock, country and pop of all time mixed with some of the best new stuff, speciality shows like "forgotten songwriter showcase" and the like. Until something at least a little like this happens I'll stick to mp3s.
Based on what I've read, XM stations seem to lack some degree of passion and personality. Of course you have xxx number of stations, but there's a clear dearth of the last 20 years of indie rock, since XMU apparently plays only songs from the last 18 months. I'd love to see 1 or 2 passionate music geek-like channels, with playlist advisement or shows from Big Takeover, No Depression, Pitchfork, Magnet, etc., coverage of the best of indie and underground folk, rock, country and pop of all time mixed with some of the best new stuff, speciality shows like "forgotten songwriter showcase" and the like. Until something at least a little like this happens I'll stick to mp3s.
Originally posted by bellenseb:Unfortunately, DJs like that don't exist anymore. The exceptions being college stations and WRNR, which has a signal that broadcasts about 20 feet.
No one wants a DJ droning on endlessly about nothing, but a good DJ gives a show or station personality, picks good sequences of songs and talk about them, talks up new artists, etc. No 'real music fan' listens to music in a total information vacuum.
Based on what I've read, XM stations seem to lack some degree of passion and personality. Of course you have xxx number of stations, but there's a clear dearth of the last 20 years of indie rock, since XMU apparently plays only songs from the last 18 months. I'd love to see 1 or 2 passionate music geek-like channels, with playlist advisement or shows from Big Takeover, No Depression, Pitchfork, Magnet, etc., coverage of the best of indie and underground folk, rock, country and pop of all time mixed with some of the best new stuff, speciality shows like "forgotten songwriter showcase" and the like. Until something at least a little like this happens I'll stick to mp3s.
I doubt your dream station will ever exist. You want too much from every genre. You'd end up with a station that appeals to nobody but you. That's a great thought, but not very realistic.
I've only had XM for a month and I love it. But I'm also realistic about what to expect from any kind of radio. I know that even XM isn't going to come up with a station that's gonna play Husker Du, The Grateful Dead and James Brown all in the block. However, I'm never surprised to hear any of these guys at any given time on the appropriate channels. That's more than I can say for anything on regular FM radio these days.
It's not perfect, but it's the best thing out there. And definitely worth $10/month.
It used to surprise me how die hard fanatics about a product (yes, you are defending a commercial product) seem to loose all sense of objectivity and the ability to think for themselves but I have long since given up on such lost souls and fellow lowest common denominator consumers out there. Yes, for all of you XM fans out there, wohooo, and to hell with DJs and any human element to the experience. Lets let a few corporate sponsors keep programming everything we hear and see, that sounds lovely.
Just because there are no longer many stations that allow good DJs to present the public with good music and information regarding such music is no reason to throw in the towel like some brainwashed drone looking for someone to tell them what to like and listen to. We are very close to losing any control left from the musicians and artists and fans over what the public sees and hears. Its corporate greed and the idiots that prefer machine chosen formats that are fueling this nightmare. This is why there is so much blink182 as someone has so not so eloquently brought to light. You want more Britney and Justin? You got it, its on its way.
Just because there are no longer many stations that allow good DJs to present the public with good music and information regarding such music is no reason to throw in the towel like some brainwashed drone looking for someone to tell them what to like and listen to. We are very close to losing any control left from the musicians and artists and fans over what the public sees and hears. Its corporate greed and the idiots that prefer machine chosen formats that are fueling this nightmare. This is why there is so much blink182 as someone has so not so eloquently brought to light. You want more Britney and Justin? You got it, its on its way.
Fair enough. What currently available radio options do you recommend? Your iPod doesn't count, unless you have a means of allowing several million people to access it.
I don't know where you get this "xm has no dj's" thing.
XM doesn't have DJs on all the channels on the air at all times, but where they are, they add exactly the kind of insight and personality and information about the music that one could hope for.
This is particularly true of XMU (tobi), Fred (stabwalt, teegan, bachman), the loft (mike marrone), and XM Cafe (their names escape me right now). It's also true of other XM channels to which I listen much less (most if not all the decades channels, for example, are fully DJ'd). And if you send them emails or call them, they're completely accessible.
"commercial product." well, what isn't? what CDs do you own that were given to you free by the socialist collective? what bands do you like perform freely all the time and not charge you in some way shape or form for the music? When Bill Gates decides to become a musician and give it all away for free, great. Until then, I'm gonna keep buying CDs, concert tix, and my XM subscription.
Bellensab, all I can tell you is, XM is a whole lot closer to being what you describe than you think, if it isn't all that and more. it is highly doubtful that any of the posters here who love their XM would speak as glowingly about FM radio. if you haven't tried it, you can't really knock it.
XM doesn't have DJs on all the channels on the air at all times, but where they are, they add exactly the kind of insight and personality and information about the music that one could hope for.
This is particularly true of XMU (tobi), Fred (stabwalt, teegan, bachman), the loft (mike marrone), and XM Cafe (their names escape me right now). It's also true of other XM channels to which I listen much less (most if not all the decades channels, for example, are fully DJ'd). And if you send them emails or call them, they're completely accessible.
"commercial product." well, what isn't? what CDs do you own that were given to you free by the socialist collective? what bands do you like perform freely all the time and not charge you in some way shape or form for the music? When Bill Gates decides to become a musician and give it all away for free, great. Until then, I'm gonna keep buying CDs, concert tix, and my XM subscription.
Bellensab, all I can tell you is, XM is a whole lot closer to being what you describe than you think, if it isn't all that and more. it is highly doubtful that any of the posters here who love their XM would speak as glowingly about FM radio. if you haven't tried it, you can't really knock it.
I hear you, Skeeter. No one can expect a station that plays only songs they like from across genres. And certainly XM must be better than FM.
But mainly what I was saying was that there's virtually no indie rock/pop/folk from the last 20 years on XM, except the last 18 months. And that I'd like to see it, programmed intelligently, with a fair amount of diversity. I think that would appeal to plenty of people.
But mainly what I was saying was that there's virtually no indie rock/pop/folk from the last 20 years on XM, except the last 18 months. And that I'd like to see it, programmed intelligently, with a fair amount of diversity. I think that would appeal to plenty of people.
Has J'Mal ever denied that he works for XM (or an affiliate)?
I'll deny it right now.
I am not employed by XM or any kind of affiliate.
I am not employed by XM or any kind of affiliate.
But you do work at the 7-11, correct?
Originally posted by J'Mal:Do you work for any of XM's creditors?
I'll deny it right now.
I am not employed by XM or any kind of affiliate.
How many shares do you own?
Picklehead Jones…..I don't think anyone is 100% disagreeing with you, well I'm not anyway. I just laughed at your "XM is just like FM" comment.
I'll be the first to admit I was a total skeptic regarding XM, and would never have got it had my wife not got it me as a christmas present.
I think what you are looking for, which is impossible, is all YOUR favorite songs/artists on the same channel. That would be great for each and everyone of us, but to achieve that we'd all have to get a dj to come to our homes and spin from our own personal music collection. What I love about xm is if I'm listening to a station and a song comes on I don't like, I simply jump to a different channel and there's a very good chance there'll be a song playing I do like. What there won't be is a pretentious dj rambling on or better yet, commercials for 10 straight minutes.
Is xm perfect? No. It is the best thing out there though.
I'll be the first to admit I was a total skeptic regarding XM, and would never have got it had my wife not got it me as a christmas present.
I think what you are looking for, which is impossible, is all YOUR favorite songs/artists on the same channel. That would be great for each and everyone of us, but to achieve that we'd all have to get a dj to come to our homes and spin from our own personal music collection. What I love about xm is if I'm listening to a station and a song comes on I don't like, I simply jump to a different channel and there's a very good chance there'll be a song playing I do like. What there won't be is a pretentious dj rambling on or better yet, commercials for 10 straight minutes.
Is xm perfect? No. It is the best thing out there though.
What makes XM any better than KEXP, WNCW, KCRW, WXPN, WFMU, WFUV, or any other stations that I listen to on the web? The fact that you have to pay for it?
Is XM something that you get in your car? I guess the fact that I only drive one or two days a week would make it useless to me.
Paying for radio? I can't believe people let this happen. Someday, you'll have to pay for the air you breathe. :roll:
Is XM something that you get in your car? I guess the fact that I only drive one or two days a week would make it useless to me.
Paying for radio? I can't believe people let this happen. Someday, you'll have to pay for the air you breathe. :roll:
Originally posted by Bollocks:
Picklehead Jones…..I don't think anyone is 100% disagreeing with you, well I'm not anyway. I just laughed at your "XM is just like FM" comment.
I'll be the first to admit I was a total skeptic regarding XM, and would never have got it had my wife not got it me as a christmas present.
I think what you are looking for, which is impossible, is all YOUR favorite songs/artists on the same channel. That would be great for each and everyone of us, but to achieve that we'd all have to get a dj to come to our homes and spin from our own personal music collection. What I love about xm is if I'm listening to a station and a song comes on I don't like, I simply jump to a different channel and there's a very good chance there'll be a song playing I do like. What there won't be is a pretentious dj rambling on or better yet, commercials for 10 straight minutes.
Is xm perfect? No. It is the best thing out there though.
I don't work for XM's creditors.
I am self employed and my business has nothing to do with XM or anything remotely related to XM.
I've previously disclosed on a different thread that I own shares, the exact number is obviously none of your business. let's just say 3 things on the topic:
1. whether anyone here gets it or not will not determine whether I eat cat food in my dotage. really!
2. I own shares in all kinds of things that I don't recommend.
3. i've been posting on this board since waaaaay before I got into XM. it should be obvious that, just like the other posters who've written positively about XM, I am someone who is deeply interested in music. do you doubt that? do you suggest there is something illegitimate in owning shares of a company whose product I enjoy?
I am self employed and my business has nothing to do with XM or anything remotely related to XM.
I've previously disclosed on a different thread that I own shares, the exact number is obviously none of your business. let's just say 3 things on the topic:
1. whether anyone here gets it or not will not determine whether I eat cat food in my dotage. really!
2. I own shares in all kinds of things that I don't recommend.
3. i've been posting on this board since waaaaay before I got into XM. it should be obvious that, just like the other posters who've written positively about XM, I am someone who is deeply interested in music. do you doubt that? do you suggest there is something illegitimate in owning shares of a company whose product I enjoy?
Originally posted by sonickballs2:
[QB]
Paying for radio? I can't believe people let this happen.
I'm sure that was said about TV one time.
By the way, is your internet connection free?
;) Well I'm sure it comes out of my paycheck in tax dollars, just as it comes out of your paycheck. Thanks for the great music.
Originally posted by Bollocks:
Originally posted by sonickballs2:
[QB]
Paying for radio? I can't believe people let this happen.
I'm sure that was said about TV one time.
By the way, is your internet connection free?
Originally posted by J'Mal:You just know a lot on the topic and sell it very well – so well that it has often made me wonder if there was more to your relationship with XM other than as a music fan.
3. i've been posting on this board since waaaaay before I got into XM. it should be obvious that, just like the other posters who've written positively about XM, I am someone who is deeply interested in music. do you doubt that? do you suggest there is something illegitimate in owning shares of a company whose product I enjoy?