In this second issue of Jam Between the Dials, I wanted to discuss two albums, Leftover Salmon's new album The Nashville Sessions and moe.'s recent re-release of their debut album Fatboy, and their relation to college radio. Both albums are different, and as such, provide a wide range of sounds for us to discuss.

The first thing any album needs to get some radio play, is an edge, a style, something that will set it apart from all the other albums that sit on a pile on the desk of music directors all over the country. Sounds simple right? Even obvious, but most people would be surprised by how many albums sound the same. One of the keys to getting a music director to notice an album is making it unique. And Leftover Salmon's new one does that. This album is packed with interesting, unique, and most of all fun songs. And what's more each song is collaborated with, what I would consider some really great musicians. Which, no doubt attracts the eyes of music directors. But that's just eye candy, the reason this album is such a great radio album is that each song is different from what's being played on mainstream college radio. They play blues songs, folk songs, Allman Bros.-type songs, and even a merengue song with Bela Fleck. They mix it all up with a little bit of jams and Walla! they've got some great 4 minute radio songs. And music directors are picking this up, The Nashville Sessions debuted on the CMJ 200 last week, and was even number 13 on the triple a list.

But most bands aren't that unique. Most jambands, as I am sure we are all aware of, have trouble producing a good radio album. If we look at moe.'s new re-release, we can see how a great band, can fall a little short when it comes to a great radio album. Fatboy is a fine, well rounded album, not unlike the Leftover Salmon one, but it doesn't have the same good radio-quality songs. For its first single, I would choose Don't Fuck with Flo. It's got some great jazzy rhythms, funky lyrics, and an off-beat chorus, but the censures probably would have a problem with it, which is a shame. Yodelittle is also a nice, catchy, fun tune, but unfortunately, as is the case with a lot of jamband music, it's way too long for radio. Clocking in at just over 9 minutes. Spine of a Dog, thus, is the best radio song on the album. But, since it doesn't have the fun qualities of the previously mentioned songs it really doesn't have that "great single" sound that would drive radio play for the album. All that we are left with are Long Island Girls Rule and The Battle of Benny Hill. Both are quirky, instrumental covers, which are fun once in a while to hear on the radio, but wouldn't make it on to any playlists.

Both moe.'s and Leftover Salmon's albums are good, but remember, a good jamband album is very different than a good radio album. moe.'s is a better jamband album, but Leftover's is a better radio album. As a completely random side note, DJ Logic's new album was featured on the cover of CMJ New Music Monthly two weeks ago, that's the equivalent of the radio gods saying they personally like this album. Its a big deal. Anyway, until next month, keep listening.