Xponentially awesome

Searching for a great mix of indie, new wave, classic rock and everything in between? I recommend the Xponential radio stream from WXPN - the University of Pennsylvania's unparalleled NPR music station. Recently played artists include XTC, KT Tunstall, Cake and David Bowie. Where else are you going to see all those names in one place?

While you're there, check out the concert archives for live sets from Rhett Miller, Martin Sexton, Rufus Wainwright, Andrew Bird, the Guillemots... basically everyone I've been telling you to check out all year.

By the way, this is also where you can hear the "Folk Alley" channel I told you about a few posts ago...

More great Americana rock 'n roll

In the liner notes to Gold (see previous post), Ryan Adams thanks, among many others, the Old 97s. So I dug out the only 97s album I own, Satellite Rides, and gave it another listen, and I'll be damned if Ryan Adams isn't right - this album makes an excellent companion to Gold. Released in 2001, the same year Adams released Gold, Satellite Rides is the Old 97s at the top of their game. (And bonus points for the retro-cool packaging.)

The AMG says: "...There really isn't a lackluster performance here... The Old 97s sound is organic and natural, and on Satellite Rides they find the perfect balance between their roots in rugged (alt)country and pure chiming pop."

For me, there isn't a bad song on the album, but favorites include "King of All the World,"Rollerskate Skinny," "Bird in a Cage," and "Designs on You."

if you like what you hear, check out lead singer Rhett Miller's solo album The Instigator - also very good and in the Americana rock 'n roll theme.