What’s Playing On Your College Radio Station

College is that period of time where you feel like you have the whole world at your fingertips and the means to access that world before anyone else, especially when it comes to music. College Radio is a crucial venue for what’s happening in the music scene and a great showcase for up and coming bands, as well as mainstream hits. WTBU, Boston University’s student run radio station, is dedicated to bringing it’s listeners the best of the expansive music scene out there, from the big names’ new releases to the local Boston beginners’ first EPs.
With the station playing straight-from-the-students programming 22 hours a day, there’s a wide variety of material streaming through the airwaves, but the station’s own music department has a special show, Left of the Dial, that is on air Mondays-Thursdays from 4-6 p.m. to feature the most recent albums in rotation. This is a great resource to hear new releases before their official public debut (since the station gets sent CDs straight from promoters and record companies) and to discover underground, Boston-based bands worth knowing about.
This music is updated constantly to keep up with the ever expanding amounts of music being released, and since programming is getting back into the swing of things post-winter break timeout, there are a bunch of new additions to the music playing on your college radio station! Here’s an overview of some CD’s we’re excited about that were added this week (and will be playing on Left of the Dial from 4-6 p.m. Mondays -Thursdays all next week):

Daft Punk – “Tron Legacy Soundtrack”
French electronic music due Daft Punk have been a staple soundtrack for any techno dance party, so they were a perfect fit to provide the music for the sci-fi remake of Tron. These songs speak true to Daft Punk’s personal style, especially on the glitchy, synth-heavy song “Derezzed.”

The Decemberists – “The King is Dead”
This is the sixth studio album from the folk rock band and provides a rustic sound with simple, country-based songs. There’s a slight twist in their usual sound because of a strong R.E.M. influence (R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck is actually featured on three tracks). This band is still and always has been a staple for the indie rock scene and have been compared to The Shins and Death Cab For Cutie.

The Go! Team – “Rolling Blackouts”
This indie-pop Brighton band took a bit of a turn with their third album. They’ve been recommended if you’re a fan of The New Pornographers and Sleigh Bells, and this album provides head bopping, garage rock beats with funk-infused horns and grooving base lines.

Cloud Nothings – “Cloud Nothings”
19-year-old Dylan Baldi is the brainchild behind this lo-fi band. Although this self-titled second album wasn’t recorded in his basement like his first release, it’s still authentic, energetic and catchy, catering to fans of pop-punk influenced music like Beach Fossils and Smith Westerns.

Hands and Knees – “Wholesome”
This Boston-based band plays infection singalong-like garage pop songs that still have that rough edge and are full of quirky, catchy hooks. Wholesome is their third release which is definitely worth checking out and available for free download on their site.

Way Yes – “Walkability”
This experimental band has strong psychedelic undertones and a general quirky garage pop sound. Lots of fun and somewhat floaty, this album is great for those who like Dirty Projectors, Fela Kuti and Animal Collective.

So tune in to WTBU and give these bands, and many more, a listen on Left of the Dial! Take advantage of college radio providing an array of music, whether from down the street or on the latest screen.