It's no big problem that my vintage, but solid-state TEAC stereo receiver in the bedroom has just…read moresix FM memory presets available to program. I can only find five listenable L.A. commercial radio stations including, grudgingly, easy-listening 94.7 The Wave, in case of a miracle.
But memory button #1 is set at 88.9, public radio from Loyola Marymount University in Westchester. To me, a sporadic indie-music listener, almost everything KXLU plays is uncommon, refreshing, and a hopeful note for music's present and future. Some of the DJs are noticeably underripe, but it's fun to hear young broadcasters as they develop their air personas.
The station streams live on kxlu.com, and could broaden one's tastes with its variety of specialty programs, some including "noise music" (Oh, how I wish a radio station would have played that back in the homework days). TIME-WARP DIALOG...Mom: "What's that NOISE you're listening to?" Young KXLU Listener: "Noise, mom."
International music consists of mostly Latin titles as played on its durable weekend fixture, "Alma del Barrio," bringing to mind loitering over empty pitchers of sangria at Venice Boulevard's Versailles Cuban restaurant.
After a lengthy listening hiatus, it was a delight to find an old favorite, Reverend Dan, still hosting "Music for Nimrods," a program in the spirit of '70s phenoms Frazer Smith, Rodney Bingenheimer (both on KROQ) and Dr. Demento (KPPC, KMET); a bonanza of old, new, rare and novelty tracks, and DJ patter nimbly fitted to end with his production-music backing tune. It's a great segue into a Saturday hangover (3-6 a.m.).
My recent return to KXLU, due to disgust at blocks of radio commercials with occasional rock-music interruptions, has me hoping it won't be necessary to again work the TEAC remote's memory buttons--except for maybe #3, The Wave.