Radio: AM in the A.M.

Skin Radio 1340AM

Recently I've been driving my grandmother's (long story there) 1986 Dodge to my carpool buddy's house each morning, and, while the convertible (with its original top) runs surprisingly smoothly, my annoyance with morning radio has only gotten worse — the Dodge only picks up AM radio. So, naturally, I've had some very static-y drives — until last week. I've discovered 1340 Skin Radio.

Recently I've been driving my grandmother's (long story there) 1986 Dodge to my carpool buddy's house each morning, and, while the convertible (with its original top) runs surprisingly smoothly, my annoyance with morning radio has only gotten worse — the Dodge only picks up AM radio. So, naturally, I've had some very static-y drives — until last week. I've discovered 1340 Skin Radio. What was once talk radio has gone modern rock and I, for one, couldn't be happier. While its rep is local band alternative, the sound is really a rare hybrid of vintage rock, hip-hop, and your occasional Sarah McLachlan. With most stations putting the same corporate-filtered stuff on repeat, it's a rare opportunity to hear A Tribe Called Quest, Modest Mouse, vintage No Doubt, and Nirvana all on one station. One drawback: I could live without the pre-recorded poetry readings (these are, sadly, funnier than the short “Laugh Track” clips). I know what you're thinking: not worth going old-school analog? Try out the live online stream — I've even started listening outside of the Dodge. Grade: A