Here in LA, I’m very pleasantly surprised by a recent development in local radio: a newer station called The Sound at 100.3 FM.  With props to 98.7 for playing Shaimus a couple months ago, in my mind The Sound is without a doubt the best station in Southern California right now.

Finally a station has emerged that recognizes that there is a ton of great music out there, from the hits we all know and love to indispensable album tracks and songs from lesser-played artists.  It’s better than the all-indie stations because it will still bust out “Living on a Prayer” just when you need it; it’s better than the commercial stations, because you’ll hear “Subterranean Homesick Alien” by Radiohead instead of “Creep” and “Karma Police” over and over again.  They play brand new songs, and they play songs from 1967.  They play artists that other stations won’t even touch.  And they even have good taste—the 100.3 website says their only goal is to play the best rock music made to date.  Pure and simple.  They don’t even play very many commercials.

If you’re not in SoCal, I’d recommend streaming The Sound via their website and giving them a try. I’ve never heard a music station that “got it” quite like they seem to, and I really hope it sticks around.

Update (April, 2010): While I still enjoy this station, it seems to me that they have been shifting slowly into becoming a much more typical and predictable classic rock station these days, which is disappointing.  I am rarely surprised at the songs I hear anymore.  Hopefully they can get back to form!