Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Bouncing Off the Satellite

A few weeks ago, I discovered quite by accident that Pearl’s XM Radio had been activated.

Since it’s not something that I did, I’m sure it’s something that OnStar took upon themselves to do. Last week I got a letter informing me of my trial but giving me no details as to when the trial period started or when it will end. (Another phone call in my future.)

While the meter is running on a service that’s currently free, I decided to do a bit of exploring. There is every kind of musical genre you can think of right there at your fingertips. In duplicate. In triplicate. And yet, I found myself gravitating to a single station: 1st Wave. Oh, what a horrid temptor thou art, XM!

Every time I flip on this station, I am magically transported back to the 1980s and the early days of alternative rock which provided the golden soundtrack for me through high school, college and my early adulthood. Ah, how those sounds do move me. (I’m of the mind that, with very few exceptions, there hasn’t been much worth listening to that’s been made post 1990.)

On the way home last night I was treated to The Smiths, INXS, R.E.M, The Pet Shop Boys, The Violent Femmes, Echo and The Bunnymen, and Yello. Some of these bands (like The Smiths and R.E.M.) already reside on homemade CDs that I listen to regularly. Others, I haven’t heard in years so what a treat this little technological marvel has been.

Sadly though, once the trial ends, it’s over. $24.95/month is a bit much, especially when you consider that I’ll also have the expense of OnStar coming up. And, it’s not like I often spend prolonged periods of time in the car. If I did, I might well be able to justify this luxury. Instead, I will sadly bid it adieu.

But I’m sure going to enjoy it while it lasts.

6 comments:

karen said...

Very cool. Enjoy.

Jayne said...

My Soul came with a 3-month free trial and I loved it so much that I renewed it for a year--but with the Mostly Music package, which is one of the least expensive packages available. I have a 40-minute commute to & from work, so I convinced myself that justifies it. :) Oh and btw, I'm a big fan of 80s on 8!

Mama Martha said...

We had XM in MrMartha's car for a few years. I loved 70's on 7, being just a year (or so) older than NV & Jayne. Now that Mr has an iPod the XM is gone, along with the expense.

Vicki said...

Pandora. Get an iPhone, which will probably cost less in the long run than an XM subscription and download Pandora Radio so you can listen to it whenever you want. Or just access the website at work :)

CE's GeeBook said...

made me giggle just a bit ... We bought a chevy a while back and the XM was on its 1st year trial.. do you know how long it has been since I had heard Oingo Boingo - It's a Dead Man's Party

Oh to be in High School again :)

NV said...

Karen -- Thanks!

Jayne -- I think that's what I've got, too -- three free months. I just don't know when the clock started on it! Yeah, I'm really tempted to do the same thing -- and then pony up $3 more for online access. What I'll probably end up doing is treating myself to a $50 iTunes card and just enjoy that for all times! :-)

MM -- I remember you saying that. It is SO easy to get spoiled. That's the one thing Pearl lacks -- iPod access -- that I wish she had.

Vicki -- Yeah. Having it online would be nice, too. THAT I think I could justify.


c.e. -- OINGO BOINGO?! Oh. My. God. They played "Just Another Day" and I was seat-dancing. I actually SAW them in concert around '88 or so. I'm still convinced that the '80s brought about some of the best music EVAH!