Knba USED to be a really great listening experience, but has gone downhill a lot in the last couple years. Don't misunderstand- it's a far better experience than mainstream crap due to semi-independent programming, but they still use daily playlists. When Brandy Carlisle or Josh Tillman has a new song, you're going to hear it 7 or 8 times a day. I've gotten to where I prefer to stream Undercurrents for the most part. The bluegrass show has become half gospel now. There's a new mid morning voice called diamond Dar, which is EXTREMELY annoying (think: fake syrupy 'everything's wonderful!') Not sure if it's a woman with a masculine voice or vice versa. They've also added some guy named Ivan Moore, a pretentious self-important host of something called wilderness playlist. The premise is 5 songs you'd take with you (if you could) if you were lost in the woods, featuring 'notorious Alaskans', but it comes across as a political adgenda talk show on Moore's part. The guests are less than interesting, and Ivan is clearly not cut out for radio. To add insult, knba has eliminated World Voices on Thursday nights to re-broadcast this 5 song disaster.
So what's still good? Danny Preston (world's best DJ?) still rules the mornings from 6-9 am. The truck stop is better than ever with a tag team of Steve and newcomer Nancy aka Honky tonk gal. Tuesday nights are awesome with Dead or Alive (stoner music). And there's a really decent blues show on Sunday night with a host who sounds for all the world like he's completely blitzed, but always has a great set list (far better than Crazy Mama, or whoever she was, years back).
The rest are syndicated and can be heard on other npr stations- like Echoes, World Cafe, Native Voice and Undercurrents. I think it's great that knba features local musicians a lot, and works to get them airtime. I know Loren tries hard to be the best at what he does and that's both commendable and unique. It's still somewhat my default station to listen to. But sad to say, I listen a whole lot less now. read more
