I read both regularly. I can't spot too many huge differences between the two - in my opinion, they are much more alike than the Other Paper and the Alive.

i don't want to be disrespectful to your assessment chip... but there has been, at least since the village voice buyout of scene, a very big difference between the two rags. first and foremost, the times have been considerably more loyal to local businesses and dedicated to philanthropic endeavors. in fact, the beachland and the grog shop completely pulled their ad spots from the scene because of the two venues' dissatisfaction with the highly corporate nature of the rag. now lets face it, no one in this town comes close to covering music quite like duffy, slaybough, elliott, flex, deville, etc.... but the free times writers have some spirit at times.... whereas the scene writers are completely thoughtless. film and restaurant reviews are certainly more trustworthy from the free times folks... the cover stories are usually equally as useless on average. that said, it is great having two of these things to read when you're sitting around waiting for your freind to show up at a bar, or just can't stomach another gruesome opening act.
yeah, so this sucks.
addendum- the scene local music awards is hokey and might as well be done on telecast, then at least the "nominees" could afford a drink ( i went with bassist pat on behalf of the rest of coffinberry)

whereas the free times music awards is an absolute blast with an afterparty in the tavern djed by mark himself.

anyways, this sucks. chip, there is/was a difference.

i figured thats what you meant and i really didn't mean to come off as a jerk....i'm kind of peeved about the whole thing. how are you doing anyway chip?