Emasculation Rock

Google "emasculation rock" and it's a formation in Joshua Tree National Park. I can't believe it's not already a widely in-use term for what's happening in the current (as in, since 2000) indie scene. I'm surely missing out on a lot, so please do jump in to prove wrong the sweeping generalization I'm about to make. But does KEXP have a daily quota of total wuss rock they have to play?

I recently got a KEXP shower radio (thanks Melissa!), and in devotion to what I do consider to be one of the best stations ever, I keep it tuned there about 50% of the time. Other times, like this morning, have me switching straight to KUBE or Movin 92 for a blast of Akon or C & C Music Factory--anything more energetic and soulful than the back-to-back lineup of Fujiya & Miyagi, Grandaddy, and the Decemberists. I'm surprised Badly Drawn Boy and Death Cab weren't next. I wanted to crawl right back into bed. I'm glad there are humans at KEXP playing the music, and I know they have a rotation to get to, but days like this I'd rather have the computer pick jock jams for me. (Movin is shameless in their "We just downloaded another 50 songs for you!" playlist strategy).

I have one more beef with Fujiya & Miyagi. It's not dance music, and it's not "making krautrock fun" as some reviewer on their CD sticker notes. Stereolab did that 15 years ago. I simply can't believe that bands like F & M are the new hot shit people are getting excited about these days. Down with aw-shucks-nice-guy indie rock! Down with buzz bands!

UPDATE: A check of this morning's playlist shows that in line with my complaint, the aforementioned 3 artists were preceded by Ben Harper and JJ Grey & Mofro. Snooze. However, Sons & Daughters upped the tempo next, followed by some bona fide rock music from Jane's Addiction. There was not another infusion of raw rock power until an hour later with Iggy Pop. And the noon-1 p.m. hour was golden, with Primal Scream, !!!, and New Order. Thank you Cheryl, for mixing it up!