Can't quite wrap my head around XRT... the on air talent say they program their own shows and select their own tracks, but over the last day or so I've heard the new Petty unreleased track almost hourly. Can't really see how all on air talent picks the same tracks, lately very tight playlist, gone is Little Stevens Underground Garage, Jazz Transfusion, Saturday Morning Flashback cut back, Frank E Lee retired but seems he is there more to fill in which is great, since Jimmy De Castro and Greg Solk came on board they are both adding bits of the old Loop and the Drive, with all the classic rock, what was once a mighty station at their old digs on Belmont, seems like a rudderless ship with no direction read more

I grew up in Chicago and WXRT was the soundtrack of my adolescence. I live in Portland now and recently got into the habit of listening on the internet while I'm at work. It was a pleasant surprise to discover that many of my favorite DJs are still around - especially Terri Hemmert - hearing her voice is like running into an old friend. read more

I can always find a song here that I haven't heard in a long time, or never heard before. Definitly 100% Chicago, with people listening from ages 16-66. I like their flashbacks on the weekend mornings. Espesially when they get into the 80's. And ofcourse breakfast with the Beatles is always good too :) So play some more yaz if ya can xrt, and I love seeing you guys at fests all the time. I have key chains and buttons galore! read more

XRT is still the best radio station in Chicago. The best 4 hours of radio each week are found on Wendy Rice's "Saturday Morning Flashback". Wendy has great taste in music and Lin, Frank and the "Regular Guy" always add something interesting. Wasn't a big Lin fan when he arrived but I am now-good morning show. Just wish I wasn't hearing Michael Franti & Spearhead; I don't think that XRT would have been playing that if they weren't owned by CBS... It's obvious that the station loves Chicago and the city wouldn't be the same without it. read more

I have always been a die hard xrt fan something happened to the independent vibe corporate America ruins another great radio station I love the jocks on xrt..Norm ( program director ) *needs to get on the internet and for a day listen to 88.5 kcsu Northridge in LA ( sfvalley ) LA has alot of garbage out here but xrt needs to check out kcsu 88.5 FM Los Angeles read more

Without a CD player, IPOD or Satellite radio in my car, maybe I am still in the dark ages, but I love 'XRT!!!! They play a great mix of old and new and still have great theme shows and also the best dj's in the city. Brehmer and Lee are awesome!!! read more

The jocks on XRT sound like students at a college radio station. Sure, they know stuff about bands, but anyone can look stuff up while show prepping. They sound AWFUL on the air, which is apparently what they go for. The jocks also sometimes come off as condescending know-it-alls, and it makes me not want to ever listen. The only thing that keeps this station on my presets is the music, which is really what radio should be all about. But when I dislike pretty much all of the personalities at a specific radio station, it usually cancels out what music they play. read more

I really love this station! It encompasses everything I like without having to flip through a million other stations. Of Montreal, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, MGMT?? You don't hear those bands played on many other stations that also play oldies. Breakfast with the Beatles is lovely. The slow talking gets on my nerves, and that stupid "going to the movies with the regular guy" skit is one big annoying waste of time. The music alone deserves 5 stars. read more

Lin Brehmer is the king!!! easily the only radio station in chicago worth listening to. They play only the finest respectable rock. thanks guys you are great! dont change read more

While XRT is probably the best FM station in Chicago, they have lost a lot of what made them special. Even 10 years ago, they rarely had the repeated playlists that they play these days ('Delilah' and 'Working Class Hero' are the latest on constant repeat). It is difficult to listen mid-day. Still, the DJs are the most well-informed and they have the best special segments including the "Grateful Dead Hour", "Live From the Archives" and assorted blues programming that no other station offers. "Going to the Show With the Regular Guy" is still and always will be classic... They also sponsor most of the better live acts throughout the city including big arena shows, small bars and street festivals. read more

I don't know how anyone couldn't love this station! I've been listening since the 1980's. When I moved to TN, I streamed it on my computer. Nnow I'm back and it is the only station my radio gets turned to. I love driving to work and listening to Lin and Mary. Lin has turned my on to so much good music, as do Terri and Frank E. Lee. The only thing that could make this station better is getting rid of Jason Thomas. I can't even listen to his time slot. Way too annoying, too many vapid insights. read more

In the car, I don't have a wonderful attention span - well that's true anywhere I am. :) But XRT is one of the few stations I can keep tuned without having to switch away after 4 minutes. The DJ's are way awesome and true music lovers. Not just someone getting a paycheck to spin discs. They actually are music lovers, which is awesome. The music they play is top notch and I generally will discover a new artist at least a couple of times a year that I really like - thanks to XRT! read more

So sad. What happened to XRT? I'm a long time morning and afternoon listener and I am sick over all the prattle about mattresses. Banality and compartementalism have taken the reins. I miss the cadence of Mary Dixons introduction...'we'll have traffic, sports and weather after this.' What happened to Lin's impromptu funny bone? Nothing in their morning sounds personal or endearing. Except Lin's Bin. The show sounds fake and canned. And the ads drone on. Hey management, news flash: these changes fall on deaf ears. Going over to the dark side. Pandora here I come. read more

I largely agree with the reviews here. Yeah, XRT has definitely gotten less compelling even since I started listening in the mid-90s. The problem (I guess) is that XRT is still arguably the best so-called alternative station in Chicago. I think that the overall quality level of radio has declined and XRT hasn't been immune. The DJs are truly the lifeblood of the station and that's why I need to single out the new guy, Jason Thomas. He encapsulates just about everything wrong with the modern incarnation of XRT - he's dreadfully boring and comes across as too much of a fanboy to be useful. In addition, I really really don't need to hear how much he loves the lakefront or Navy Pier again. I also don't need to hear anymore of his... dramatic... pauses in delivering news about an exciting (?) new Train single or anything like that. Thomas is the harbinger. XRT is in a long, slow decline. But they still do play better music than nearly every other commercial radio station in Chicago. read more

As recently as 10 years ago, XRT's programming was still pretty decent, they had a good mix of newer rock - not just bigger-name artists/bands but also up-and-comers and local favorites - and classics. They seem to place a higher priority nowadays on playing stuff that's more predictable and safe for preservation of their aging listener demographic base - too much U2 and Dave Matthews for my tastes. I still appreciate XRT for the promotions and event sponsorships that they do, also for long-running programs like Breakfast with the Beatles and the Saturday Morning Flashback (musical nostalgia is still fun when it's well-packaged). read more

Sometimes I'm surprised to hear something really good on here and I think they try a lot harder than most other radio stations. It's just a shame about all the crunchy crap you have to endure before they play anything good. read more

I have to agree with Jan A. I moved to the Florida Keys where the radio stations are just bursting with oldies, a subpar NPR station, a fun cuban station and a rare Nirvana song. Although I haven't been able to successfully listen on my iPhone, the laptop has been just fine. I love listening to XRT!! They really do play the finest rock. read more

4 stars for bringing back Jonny Mars, but subtract one for not getting rid of some of the other deadwood. Hey Norm Weiner, you are competing against Ipods, the internet, and satellite and need to get hip! read more

XRT is the smartest corporate radio station in town. Lin Brehmer is my secret pretend radio boyfriend, and I want to take music history classes from Terri Hemmert. And when they get boring? I switch to WLUW. read more

As someone that has listened to XRT since I had an "FM converter" in my car in the mid-70's, I haven't listed on a regular basis since the lat 90's mainly because they play way too many commercials. Do they EVER play 5, 6 songs in a row ? Not to my recollection. Piece of advice, less talking, way less commercials, much more music. read more

As many others have noted I miss the old XRT before it was purchased by CBS. To me the low point was when they had DJ Frank E. Lee and newswoman Mary Dixon go out to California to interview the stars of the new CBS fall line-up. It literally upset my stomach. The addition of the likes of Jack Johnson, The Killers, Sugar Ray, and Collective Soul. You may like some of these bands. I might like some of them. The point is what made XRT great wasn't just what they played it was what they didn't play. Back in the day, the DJ's programmed their own programs. A listener could have a favorite DJ because they shared a love for the same music. The rest of the Chicago dial is not any better. WLS, The Drive, The Loop, Q-101, and the former Jack-FM are listenable to certain degrees. I listen to my iPod alot.. If Sirius/XM wasn't so expensive I would pay for it to listen to the Underground Garage, It's a good complement to what XRT is now. As someone else said in another post, if XRT went back to the old format and took donations (like NPR) they would probably get a sizeable group of people paying. Many former Chicagoans would listen. Finally, am I the only person that finds Terry Hemmert completely annoying. Jason Thomas too. They may still be Chicago's best rock station but they certainly don't deserve their old slogan "Chicago's Finest Rock." read more

93 XRT is a good radio station, but it's not as good as it was 10 or 15 years ago. It's fun to hear some good current music on 93 XRT each day. I love listening to the classic rock songs that 93 XRT plays as well. But, unfortunately, 93 XRT tends to play the same songs over and over again. There are too many commercials on the station as well. The Drive (97.1 FM) is my favorite radio station in the Chicago area, but 93 XRT is still in my Top 5. read more

When driving back into the city from an extended absence, two things let me know I'm home, the Chicago skyline and 93 W.X.R.T. Their local programming is what makes them tick in my opinion. I hated breakfast with the Beatles when it first aired but I've grown to love it the way I've grown to love the scuff marks on my coffee table from a friend who has long since passed away. I feel like I know all the on air personalities but the one I enjoy the most these days is Jason Thomas. I was starting to feel like an old may with old friends until he came along. He keeps my in the know on music and bands that I'll really never get to see because that's no longer my scene. His love affair with Chuck Berry seemed a little quirky at first but now I find myself looking forward to hear his music. I'll change my review to five stars if they quit playing a song from the Talking Heads (or some derivative thereof) every 45 minutes. read more

Best variety and thoughtful programing by hosts in each time slot. Saturday mornings have a particularly excellent variety of the greatest tunes from last 5 decades of rock AND other genres. (Many not heard in ages in San Francisco Bay Area). Excellent! read more

This is the WORST radio station I've ever been forced to listen to in my life. My work plays this station all day long, every single day. The DJs are awful, they play the SAME songs constantly. It seems like they only have about 10 songs and they just keep repeating them. Terri Hemmert is probably one of the worst DJs I've ever heard. She also tends to go on political rants on a daily basis which is totally not needed. Just play music. Political rants aren't necessary. And then there's "The Regular Guy." He has this super fake Chicago accent which is so obnoxious. I've never in my life met anybody that actually speaks like this that is from Chicago. It's like he's trying to mimic the SNL skit "Da Bears." I don't understand how this station is in business or actually has fans. It's amazing to me. And also, the advertising during the commercial breaks. I've been hearing the same Wendy's 4 for 4 commercial for the last year... "The Wendy's 4 for 4 menu is the greatest thing since rappers..." I hear it several times an hour every single day. I really wish I didn't have to listen to this station. I used to be a huge Foo Fighters fan, but I can't do it anymore. I used to somewhat like Coldplay. Not anymore. Same with Beck and Nirvana. Can't listen to them anymore. This radio station has absolutely killed it for me. read more

for an independent station, they have a horribly dull & repetitive playlist. i'll have plenty of time to listen to the dave matthews band & u2 when i'm in hell. boring music for boring white people! read more

Let me start by saying this station, since it was acquired by CBS, has lost much of what had made it so unique. The independent voice of rock has since felt the heavy hand of corporate influence. That said, in comparison to the rest of commercial FM radio, this station is by far superior. Take a "walk" down the radio dial in Chicago (or most any other city) and listen to the sophomoric blabber on morning shows, the incessant dribble of pop music, the carbon copy corporate owned noise. Then tune in to 93.1. Sure, you will hear some tunes you can do without, but then there is that new release that Jason Thomas fires up, or some old tune from the 60's you thought was long forgotten. Don't forget Lin Brehmer in the morning - the Ann Landers of the radio with his "Lin's Bin" and the playful banter between him and co host Mary Dixon. The majority of the on air staff have been there for years (Terri, Frank E, etc..). Try finding that on any other commercial station today. Yes XRT is not what it used to be in its rebellious youth..but how many of us are? They just don't make em' like that any longer. read more

PLease stop playing the same songs over and over and over. I would like to continue listening - but a lot of times I just turn it off because I am tired of the same U2, David Bowie and Beatles the same over and over!!! Please improve the quality of this station asap! read more

Still a pretty good station, Especially for the Saturday Morning Flashback. Though, It's popularity peaked in the 1970's-80's. Yet still a pretty good station to have around. read more

It's true that WXRT is not as good as it used to be, but it's still as good as any other station in Chicago. When Q-101 went under I could no longer listen to "Sherman and Tingle" in the morning, so I went back to listening to Lin Brehmer, who is okay. Terri Hemert is still their best D J. When I want to hear some alternative music I go to 87.7, but they have a tendency to repeat songs ad nauseum...Animal by Neon Trees, as an example read more

I always loved this station, but now it's the same song rotation over and over and over. I don't know how many more times a day they can play Working Class Hero done by Green Day. When a new release comes along, it's the same old song played over and over on the album, just as every other radio station is doing. XRT used to be "different" and now I feel like it's lost something. read more

You've got to be kidding me... I'm so glad to be from Chicago, where I can thoroughly enjoy THE radio station supreme! Have any of the previous commentors visited other cities with their limp offerings? XRT has consistently offered diverse, intelligent and provocative playlist s(as a core). Mixing old and new songs with a broad variety of old and new artists with insight and context. They're community focused/aware. Best of all are the DJs and News anchors, providing the right mix of background, information and humor! I love the features (Flashback, Reg. Guy, Lin's bin, Bfast with Beatles, Blues Breakers etc. etc. ), the shows (including archived concerts or simulcasts), the concerts, the people. I have withdrawal symptoms when I'm away .. read more

Still the best radio station in Chicago. I have lived on the east coast for the last 3 years and haven't found anything comparable. I will stream the station at work and home to feel like I'm back in Chicago and to actually hear music I like. It's a miracle that this radio station, with their format has survived. Love the music they play, love the d.j.'s (they are like life long friends). read more

Anyone who remembers this staion from fifteen years ago has some idea of how bad they've gotten. Anyone who goes back twenty-five or more years can't recognize it except for a couple of the names spinning the lame songs. Gets one star only because of how bad the rest of the commercial radio stations are in this market. read more

Probably the last great Chicago radio station...talk about being on top of their game with the latest / newest talent while playing some of the old classics and newer ones too... this is the only radio station I listen too!! they play anything from Killers, to the Stones, to Death Cab for Cutie, Floyd to David Gray, to the Decemberists to Flaming Lips to Phoenix!! these guys rock!!! read more

This was at one time, Chicago's finest rock! No longer! How many times do I have to hear "Wonderwall" by Oasis? Correct me if I'm wrong, but they do have a lot of other great songs. You would think the only bands in the 60's were the Beatles, Rolling Stones and The Who. This station is beginning to sound a lot like the old "LOOP" and that station sucked! read more