Toronto Mike

Classic Alternative

Classic Alternative

I just read an article from the New York Times that reveals the latest radio format sweeping the United States.  They call it "classic alternative" and several stations have switched to the format in the past month.

"Classic alternative" is essentially music from the early 90s like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Weezer, Stone Temple Pilots, Alice in Chains, and so on.  In other words, my kind of music.  To quote the article, "Like the classic rock format that started in the mid-1980's to cater to aging baby boomers, classic alternative - with new songs from retro-alternative bands like the White Stripes and the Strokes thrown into the mix on some stations - appeals to Generation X'ers who are beginning to show some gray."  That's me!

CFNY Edge 102, my current favourite station, is pretty close to "classic alternative" as it is.  They play a great deal of current modern rock hits but still hit you with a Nirvana track or two just about every hour.  Just the other day I was listening to "In Bloom" and realized they're playing Nirvana as often now as they did ten years ago.  I also hear a great deal of older material from bands like Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam, Weezer and Soundgarden.  For all intents and purposes, CFNY Edge 102 is "classic alternative" save for the wider scope of new hits being spun.  Is a truer form of "classic alternative" in 102.1's future?

This new format is projected right at a guy like me and I dig it.  Being catered to is always a good thing.

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