The Current's 893 Essential Albums

[Bret44]

Not shocked about Nevermind at #1, but very locally dominate.

Surprised there were 2 Isbell records in the countdown but not Metamodern Sounds in Country Music.

 

[JSmoove]

Ugh screw number 1. I'm sorry I guess I'm in the minority that find them incredibly overrated.

Not surprised though.

 

[3TrueFans]

OK I know it's Minneapolis but Purple Rain at #4 is a complete joke.

He just died too which naturally skews the results.

 

[Rabbuk]

Nirvana at #1 invalidates the whole list.

 

[cyclones500]

This is an exceptionally cool idea.

 

[Entropy]

These lists are fun because they are so subjective.

 

[Jonecy]

The current rocks. It's hands down the best radio station I've ever been able to listen to locally. DJ's are top notch and appreciate all different varieties and tastes. The station is a non-profit and is completely listener supported, so they get a majority of their funding through member drives and donations. That gives them the freedom to play and support whatever they want (especially local/smaller bands in the community) instead of having corporate america algorithms picking songs based on perceived popularity, which gets old fast.

Even the DJ's say on air they don't agree with all of the 893 albums on the list, but they are quick to remind you that the beauty of the whole thing is the diversity you see on the list and the fact that even in disagreement, everyone still listens to the current. :elvis:

 

[ribsnwhiskey]

I could probably rank about 25 different albums as the #1. At least the top 100 was legitimate. Some of the crap on that list was just that. Modest Mouse will never be essential.

 

[BoxsterCy]

The current rocks. It's hands down the best radio station I've ever been able to listen to locally. DJ's are top notch and appreciate all different varieties and tastes. The station is a non-profit and is completely listener supported, so they get a majority of their funding through member drives and donations. That gives them the freedom to play and support whatever they want (especially local/smaller bands in the community) instead of having corporate america algorithms picking songs based on perceived popularity, which gets old fast.

Even the DJ's say on air they don't agree with all of the 893 albums on the list, but they are quick to remind you that the beauty of the whole thing is the diversity you see on the list and the fact that even in disagreement, everyone still listens to the current. :elvis:

The station is a little oasis of music in a sea of nation radio syndicates. Any listener poll they do isn't going to be all mainstream, that's for sure. Probably need to listen to this more. With Cities 97 totally sold out and essentially dead to me there isn't much there although Jack FM is decent collective rock.

Been here over 30 years and I do miss the time when you could roll up and down the dial and find several jazz stations, contemporary and "adult" rock, classic rock, current pop etc.

 

[JSmoove]

The current rocks. It's hands down the best radio station I've ever been able to listen to locally. DJ's are top notch and appreciate all different varieties and tastes. The station is a non-profit and is completely listener supported, so they get a majority of their funding through member drives and donations. That gives them the freedom to play and support whatever they want (especially local/smaller bands in the community) instead of having corporate america algorithms picking songs based on perceived popularity, which gets old fast.

Even the DJ's say on air they don't agree with all of the 893 albums on the list, but they are quick to remind you that the beauty of the whole thing is the diversity you see on the list and the fact that even in disagreement, everyone still listens to the current. :elvis:

I agree the current does rock, but let's be real the station is not entirely listener support. No matter how much they try to make you believe that during their member drives.

 

[Cybyassociation]

I'm glad Paul Simon's Graceland got the recognition it deserves.

 

[Al_4_State]

Not shocked about Nevermind at #1, but very locally dominate.

Surprised there were 2 Isbell records in the countdown but not Metamodern Sounds in Country Music.

Agreed. I assume Something More Than Free got in? Southeastern deserves the nod, but if he's getting two, I'd put Sirens of the Ditch ahead of Something More Than Free, and it's not even close.

 

[ribsnwhiskey]

I'm glad Paul Simon's Graceland got the recognition it deserves.

Definitely one of my favorites.

 

[Bret44]

Agreed. I assume Something More Than Free got in? Southeastern deserves the nod, but if he's getting two, I'd put Sirens of the Ditch ahead of Something More Than Free, and it's not even close.

Something More than Free was in the 800's. Southeastern was around 150.

 

[Jonecy]

I agree the current does rock, but let's be real the station is not entirely listener support. No matter how much they try to make you believe that during their member drives.

You're right, I overstated that.......but they do get a majority of their financing through public supporting channels (64%) and the biggest piece of that pie (36%) comes from individual gifts and memberships. I'd be curious to see how that compares to other radio stations funded by advertising, record companies and other corporate entities......but will not be completing that analysis today.

Below is a screen-shot of MPR's sources of revenue for 2015 (from their 2015 Annul Report):

 

[sleestakCy]

I think the list is great.

Although a bit too much 'classic rock' on the list for my taste. The Minnesota emphasis makes sense, gimme the Jayhawks any day.

Nice to see lots of great 'oldies' on the list that are not classic rock...X, XTC, New Order, Joy Division, Echo and the Bunnymen, Depeche Mode, Fugazi, Weakerthans, etc.

 

[Sighclone Fan]

The station is a little oasis of music in a sea of nation radio syndicates. Any listener poll they do isn't going to be all mainstream, that's for sure. Probably need to listen to this more. With Cities 97 totally sold out and essentially dead to me there isn't much there although Jack FM is decent collective rock.

Been here over 30 years and I do miss the time when you could roll up and down the dial and find several jazz stations, contemporary and "adult" rock, classic rock, current pop etc.

I like how Jack FM is setup with no real djs, but they play the same 200 songs from 1975-1995 and that gets old.

I used to like KQ92 more, but they seem to play a lot of 80's garbage. I wish there was good classic rock station that played more of the essential 60's and early 70's stuff...ya know, the good stuff.

 

[JSmoove]

You're right, I overstated that.......but they do get a majority of their financing through public supporting channels (64%) and the biggest piece of that pie (36%) comes from individual gifts and memberships. I'd be curious to see how that compares to other radio stations funded by advertising, record companies and other corporate entities......but will not be completing that analysis today.

Below is a screen-shot of MPR's sources of revenue for 2015 (from their 2015 Annul Report):

Nice find.

Don't get me wrong I love what they do and it's certainly the only music radio station I give the time of day to here.

I guess i just listen to it so much and get sick of the picture they try to paint that they are entirely there because of the support from the public, well actually you're not. I'm trending toward cave material and will end it with that.

That being said, this list is horse ****!