Music makes the world go round – at least partially – and the blogs
have made it easier than ever to find it. Whether you’re looking for new
music, want to sample songs before investing in a whole cd or you’re
after some insightful commentary on artists, songs, tours and sales,
there is a music blog out there to fit the bill.
El.bows
Don’t go to Elbo.ws unless you have a lot of time to get lost in mp3 and video samples of the most-wanted tunes on the Web. Elbo.ws tracks songs, blog posts and videos from other sources, and aggregates it for your seemingly-endless listening pleasure.
The Hype Machine
Hype Machine collects what other music blogs are writing about, then shares it on their main site and on Twitter. Their Zeitgeist lists track the Top 50 albums, songs and artists of the year, and the “Spy’ feature allows you to check out what other visitors are listening to.
NPR’s All Songs Considered
NPR’s music section is a beautiful beast of concerts, first listens, interviews and best-of lists. The blogs cover genres including classical, jazz, and Latin rock and pop, but All Songs Considered is the place to start for the generalist. The site also includes links to the trove of public radio programming across the country.
Pop and Hiss
If it’s music culture and commentary you’re after, this group blog on LAtimes.com has both in excess. Based in the heart of the music industry, this blog’s contributors include prolific rock and pop critic Ann K. Powers and noted jazz writer Chris Barton, among others.
Said the Gramophone
Said the Gramophone added its first songs in November, 2003, and they just keep coming. A true mp3 sample blog, all songs are removed within a week or two of posting. Far beyond files slapped up for your sampling pleasure, entries include thoughtful reviews and from writers Sean Michaels, Dan Beirne, Jordan Himelfarb, all writers and editors active in other media.
Sheena Beaston
If you’re looking for something a little different, chances are you’ll find it here. Indie, dance, retro – it’s all here, in “rad mp3s, reviews, interviews & exclusives.” It’s also intricately tagged and cleanly designed, which is nice. Follow Sheena on Twitter, too, and on EastVillageRadio.com
Stereogum
This site is a trove of concerts, reviews, music news, and an ever-updated list of songs to keep your iTunes fresh.
Sweeping the Nation
Songs, songs, and more songs, specifically of the mp3 variety. They also post lots of videos on Tumblr.
Yvynl
Yvynl is Mark Schoneveld’s Tumblr site, a delicious cocktail of music recs, videos and art. His fascination with “the evolution of social music, experimental art and the power of instant self-publishing” is evident in his posts and his efforts to shine a light on other music bloggers.
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