OT: Good music blog?

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January 20th, 2013 at 11:19 AM
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Magnus
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OT: Good music blog?

I'm a bit of a music junkie, but over the last year or two, I've lost a little bit of touch with new bands and music.  I used to have a subscription to both Magnet and Spin magazines, but Magnet went into a bit of a funk and I lost interest in Spin.  Does anyone have any good suggestions for music blogs? 

Here are a few albums I've been listening to lately:

"The Second Law" - Muse
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band
"Break It Yourself" - Andrew Bird
"The Second Gleam" - Avett Brothers
"Buried in Your Black Heart" - Burden Brothers
"Only by the Night" - Kings of Leon

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January 20th, 2013 at 11:27 AM | stereogum and pitchfork are (Score:4 Normal)
brown
Joined: 07/01/2008
MGoPoints: 86

stereogum and pitchfork are pretty good, but often the weirder stuff gets reviewed more favorably.

January 20th, 2013 at 1:13 PM | Pitchfork is annoying with (Score:3 Normal)
Brown Bear
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Pitchfork is annoying with their snobbishness. Overrated blog.

I poop excellence
January 20th, 2013 at 2:55 PM | I used to read pitchfork a (Score:2)
ken725
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Joined: 10/26/2008
MGoPoints: 4540

I used to read pitchfork a lot, but got sick of their reviews.  They post some good new music, but you have to try and stay away from their reviews.

Greetings from Bolivia.

"It's special how the real true people hang together. And if you don't support the program you're not a true Michigan guy. It's that simple."  - Gary Moeller

January 20th, 2013 at 5:49 PM | Yeah, Pitchfork is kind of (Score:1)
Danwillhor
Joined: 12/02/2008
MGoPoints: 551

Yeah, Pitchfork is kind of universally mocked for their hatred of anything good. Basically, they went from a good "indie or labeled but little known band" review site that was fair and decent to a site that is snobbish, hates anything you've heard of or bands after their 2nd album and reviewers that try to one up each other with quips and such. Fuck Pitchfork.

January 20th, 2013 at 11:33 AM | Good Music All day (Score:2 Normal)
MichiganfaninCT
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www.GoodMusicAllDay.com

or the Hype Machine www.Hypem.com

The hype machine is good because it takes the most popular songs that are being posted on hundreds of different music blogs and puts it on theirs. So the more the song is posted throughout the internet the higher it will be on their blog.

'99 '04 '11

January 20th, 2013 at 11:36 AM | Some Kind of Awesome, also if (Score:2 Normal)
mds315
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Joined: 07/29/2009
MGoPoints: 359

Some Kind of Awesome, also if you go on Reddit at all they have lots of sub-reddits for like specific genres and such.  Not the best but there are occassionally posts with new songs.

 

January 20th, 2013 at 11:36 AM | Imagine Dragons (Score:2 Normal)
NFZ
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Joined: 03/22/2010
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I have been listening to Imagine Dragons a lot recently, really enjoy their album. You can find some good stiff on thissongissick.com every now and then. 

No Fly Zone!

January 20th, 2013 at 12:15 PM | Imagine Dragons (Score:2)
palazzola123
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Imagine Dragons are a great new band. Going to their concert in a few weeks, I heard they put on a great show.

“When your team is winning, be ready to be tough, because winning can make you soft; on the other hand, when your team is losing, stick by them.  Keep believing.” Bo

January 20th, 2013 at 12:17 PM | Just saw them last night... (Score:2)
4godkingandwolv...
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... at my company's annual party.  I'm not a huge fan of live music, but they put on a spectacular show.  You won't be disappointed.

Do Something. If it works, do more of it. If it doesn't, do something else.

January 20th, 2013 at 12:20 PM | I saw them the other night on (Score:2)
Magnus
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I saw them the other night on "Conan" and enjoyed it. I was going to check them out a little bit.

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January 20th, 2013 at 2:57 PM | I doscovered them because (Score:2)
ken725
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I doscovered them because they are on FIFA13.  Pretty good band.

Greetings from Bolivia.

"It's special how the real true people hang together. And if you don't support the program you're not a true Michigan guy. It's that simple."  - Gary Moeller

January 20th, 2013 at 11:47 AM | Paste Magazine is a pretty (Score:3 Normal)
Phil Brinkma
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Paste Magazine is a pretty good read. And for my honorary band suggestion: The Head And The Heart.

-- Hot ice!

January 20th, 2013 at 11:53 AM | Not sure about a blog (Score:2 Normal)
cozy200
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But Roadkill Ghost Choir ... "Beggars Guild" is a really awesome jam

Its called a royale with cheese

January 20th, 2013 at 11:55 AM | I've heard a lot of good new (Score:3 Normal)
Bombadil
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I've heard a lot of good new stuff streaming KCRW Eclectic, KEXP UW college radio, and CBC Radio3.

January 20th, 2013 at 11:56 AM | Hmmmmm.... (Score:3 Normal)
clarkiefromcanada
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CBC Radio 3 or the Strombo Show seems right up your alley.

If the haters don't hate you then you're doing something wrong. - David Cone

January 20th, 2013 at 11:59 AM | Consequence of Sound (Score:3 Normal)
Gobluewarming77
Joined: 11/05/2010
MGoPoints: 38

Consequenceofsound.net

Tjabz

January 20th, 2013 at 12:12 PM | Metacritic aggregates reviews (Score:4 Normal)
AlwaysBlue
Joined: 11/23/2008
MGoPoints: 538

Metacritic aggregates reviews from multiple sources.  The review blurbs include genre and overall ranking and are linked (Paste, Mojo, Pitchfork, Spin, AllMusic, etc.) to the full article.  It's a great site to keep up with new or look for previous releases and it keeps you from the filter/bias of any specific source.

http://www.metacritic.com/music

January 20th, 2013 at 12:19 PM | Nice (Score:2)
palazzola123
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Nice, great to hear! Just curious, what company do you work at where they book a band for your annual party? Sounds like a fun work party!

“When your team is winning, be ready to be tough, because winning can make you soft; on the other hand, when your team is losing, stick by them.  Keep believing.” Bo

January 20th, 2013 at 12:53 PM | Not sure it gets any better (Score:3 Normal)
Butterfield
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Not sure it gets any better than daytrotter.com if you're looking for bands on the cusp of greatness. They feature a different band everyday and generally have 3 free downloadable tracks for each.

The swag is back. 

January 20th, 2013 at 12:59 PM | Daily Reads (Score:3 Normal)
chalkeater
Joined: 12/16/2009
MGoPoints: 35

Magnus, 

It seems we have similar taste in music. Will you marry me?

As for blogs, here are my daily reads, which I think will steer you to greatness:

  1. An Aquarium Drunkard - Amazing music writing, first and foremost, and then a lot of newer indie and older, somewhat obscure soul music.
  2. Folk Hive - They meet my love for folk that is not sad-bastard folk. This seems to show up in your list.
  3. Slowcoustic - They meet my love for sad-bastard folk - but the type that is still doing very interesting things.
  4. I Am Fuel / You Are Friends - Another excellent writer who seems to always find the stuff that I listen to for years.

Someone mentioned Paste and Pitchfork - I find that Paste is more consistent for me, while Pitchfork works to broaden my tastes. Pitchfork is filled with snark and cynical bastards, and sometimes they write the articles, beware.

If those don't do it for you - another person mentioned Hype Machine. I frequently use it to aggregate all new music from the above blogs into a playlist for my daily workout - but it can also be used to find new blogs. Search for a song you love, and find blogs which also loved it - see if you love other songs they posted as well. Once you find your blog soul-mate, follow the shit out of it.

That, at least, is how I keep up.

from,
-Robb

 

January 20th, 2013 at 1:30 PM | If Dannie Riel turns me down, (Score:2)
Magnus
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If Dannie Riel turns me down, I'll definitely keep you in mind.

Thanks for the info, though.

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January 20th, 2013 at 1:33 PM | I come with a dowry (Score:3 Normal)
chalkeater
Joined: 12/16/2009
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I come with a dowry consisting entirely of Spotify playlists...

January 20th, 2013 at 1:18 PM | Last Days Of Man On Earth (Score:2 Normal)
Buzz
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A good friend of mine in St. Louis started this blog, then stopped it once he moved to New Zealand.  It's more of an archive now, but if you have been or think you might be interested in a lot of obscure New Wave, no wave, post punk, hardcore, and power pop (especially if it came from behind the Iron Curtain), this site is an amazing resource. It was once chock full of downloadable mp3's, but they have been removed. However, if you email the blogger, Joe, he would probably be happy to hook you up.

http://www.lastdaysofmanonearth.com/blog/

Buzz

 

 

My other ride is a MSU psych major.

January 20th, 2013 at 1:19 PM | Black Prairie...check em out. (Score:3 Normal)
Brown Bear
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Black Prairie...check em out. Band, not a blog.

I poop excellence
January 20th, 2013 at 1:42 PM | I like Knox Road as a music (Score:3 Normal)
Laser Wolf
Joined: 07/09/2008
MGoPoints: 1693

I like Knox Road as a music blog. Tends to have a lot of stuff that I enjoy, with pretty solid writing to boot.

I know it was released last summer, but until I find something to unseat "Celebration Rock" by Japandroids, it remains what I recommend to every man, woman and child.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGDy3CeRa1w

January 20th, 2013 at 2:59 PM | IMO, one of the best albums (Score:2)
ken725
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IMO, one of the best albums of 2012.

Greetings from Bolivia.

"It's special how the real true people hang together. And if you don't support the program you're not a true Michigan guy. It's that simple."  - Gary Moeller

January 20th, 2013 at 1:44 PM | Sounds like Perez Hilton (Score:2)
evenyoubrutus
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Sounds like Perez Hilton would be right up your alley.

Not that I loved Rich Rod less, but that I loved Michigan more.

January 20th, 2013 at 1:48 PM | Strangeways Radio is a good (Score:2 Normal)
Jeremyph
Joined: 01/20/2013
MGoPoints: 1

Strangeways Radio is a good source for keeping up on new music as well as classics

http://www.strangewaysradio.com

https://www.facebook.com/StrangewaysRadio

January 20th, 2013 at 2:02 PM | http://www.pigeonsandplanes.c (Score:3 Normal)
MGoSteelers
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http://www.pigeonsandplanes.com and http://hypem.com were my go-to sites a little while back.  Haven't kept up with them though.

January 20th, 2013 at 2:02 PM | IMO (Score:2 Normal)
.ghost.
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can't recommend beatsperminute highly enough.

 bewww.beatsperminute.com

 

"And they'll never catch him!"

January 20th, 2013 at 2:21 PM | Music (Score:1)
mills44
Joined: 12/10/2011
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Magnus check out Father John Misty, Macklemore for good hip hop and Zedd for good Electronic.

January 20th, 2013 at 2:27 PM | Not a blog, but... (Score:2)
1989 UM GRAD
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...you may want to check out the list of acts at the major festivals like Lollapalooza (which I've gone to the last two years), Coachella, Bonnaroo, etc. 

In addition to well-known acts who typically play later in the day, they have dozens of lesser-known groups playing during the day. 

Lolla has been a great "music discovery" opportunity for an old guy like me.

January 20th, 2013 at 2:31 PM | Twenty | One | Pilots (Score:2)
timtebro
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Check this band out, Magnus.. They have their own, unique sound.. Deemed it schizoid pop, ya I know wtf. Forget where they are from (Columbus, OH), I just recently discovered them and love 'em.

Also, nice choice on Muse!

EDIT: "Twenty | One | Pilots - Car Radio" has been on repeat. Lyrical masterpiece!

You're HIV-Aladeen.

January 21st, 2013 at 12:30 PM | I saw Twenty One Pilots the (Score:1)
Jhodak
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I saw Twenty One Pilots the other night and was really disappointed they didn't sing 'House of Gold'! 'Car Radio' is good, but H.O.G. is a monster. The whole album is great. 

January 20th, 2013 at 2:30 PM | Things you might enjoy: (Score:1)
MGoAndy
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Joined: 07/22/2008
MGoPoints: 1685

Japandroids - Celebration Rock

The Lonely Forest - Arrows

Now, Now - Thread

Lord Huron - Lonesome Dreams

January 20th, 2013 at 3:09 PM | And.. (Score:1)
MGoAndy
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Joined: 07/22/2008
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If you like the Now, Now album, I'd also recommend The Joy Formidable.

January 20th, 2013 at 3:25 PM | You mean like NOW: thats what (Score:3 Funny)
Hurricane
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You mean like NOW: thats what I call music vol. 15? That album rules!

And when we play as a team, when the old season is over, you and I know, it's gonna be Michigan again, Michigan

January 20th, 2013 at 2:40 PM | Metalsucks.net. Incredibily (Score:2)
Seth
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Metalsucks.net. Incredibily funny dudes--it's the MGoBlog of metal music but their tastes go across genres.

(Blogger alias: "Misopogon") This team is under construction. We thank you for your patience.

January 20th, 2013 at 4:30 PM | Seconded. Their year-end (Score:2)
ChopBlock
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Seconded. Their year-end best-of lists are relatively awesome and free of Scar Symmetry-type dickery.

"The straightest line from A to B is straight: From A to B"

"When you have Denard Robinson, you can have everything"

~George Walden

January 20th, 2013 at 2:54 PM | Pure Volume (Score:2)
Michigan Shirt
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I used to use www.purevolume.com a lot back in college. You can listen to all sorts of genres as well as signed/unsigned bands.

January 20th, 2013 at 2:56 PM | This place has album reviews (Score:2 Normal)
maizeonblueaction
Joined: 12/19/2011
MGoPoints: 204

but they also break new music. Based in Ann Arbor, oddly enough: http://www.allmusic.com/

So it goes.

January 20th, 2013 at 6:08 PM | They're my goto (Score:2)
DY
Joined: 07/01/2008
MGoPoints: 150

When I need track info or cover art, but I don't like the new website layout as much as the old site.

January 20th, 2013 at 3:02 PM | My favorite albums from the past 6 months (Score:3 Normal)
kid a
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Tame Impala - Lonerism...psychdelica groove drivin rock. Lead singer sounds exactly like John Lennon.

Ultraista - Ultraista...synth drivin electronica. Nigel Godrich's(long time producer of radiohead) project.

Hot Chip - In Our Heads....dance-punk electronica. similar to LCD Soundsystem, Cut Copy

Grizzly Bear - Shields....Best album of 2012 IMO. Combination of rock, folk and psychedilia.

Here We Go Magic - A DIfferent Ship...straight indie rock with good melodies and has good dance grooves.

Those are my favorites albums that have come up in the past 6 months. 2013 is gonna have some great releases as well...Atoms for Peace, Toro y Moi, Arcade Fire, Deerhunter and Foals are the albums I am getting pretty pumped for.

I'll be waiting, with a gun and a pack of sandwiches.

January 20th, 2013 at 3:05 PM | Jim James solo project is (Score:2 Normal)
kid a
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MGoPoints: 13

Jim James solo project is coming out in february which is gonna be awesome as well.

I'll be waiting, with a gun and a pack of sandwiches.

January 20th, 2013 at 3:09 PM | fader.com's mp3/streams (Score:3 Normal)
ken725
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Joined: 10/26/2008
MGoPoints: 4540

fader.com's mp3/streams section is pretty good.  They have anthing from folk to rap so I like the variety.

Also the greatest youtube channel is "majesticcasual" if you are into the UK garage, UK bass, post-dub, trap, hip hop.

Greetings from Bolivia.

"It's special how the real true people hang together. And if you don't support the program you're not a true Michigan guy. It's that simple."  - Gary Moeller

January 20th, 2013 at 3:30 PM | Goodmusicallday.com (Score:3 Normal)
NorthwesternFan
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Goodmusicallday.com

'Cats comin' for y'all

January 20th, 2013 at 3:39 PM | Punknews.org (Score:2 Normal)
GoBlueDenver
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Punknews.org

Tinymixtapes.com

Pitchfork.com



My friend works in the music industry and she said record companies pay for good reviews on pitchfork but I think it's still a decent resource for music discovery.

January 20th, 2013 at 3:43 PM | Bestnewtracks.comIt's (Score:3 Normal)
B-Nut-GoBlue
Joined: 09/30/2011
MGoPoints: 1679

http://bestnewtracks.com/

It's primarily a showing of Indie songs/bands.  It's not a listing of a bands albums but tracks they deem good; they usually have a link for a free download of said song/track.  Yes it's only a song (yet, some artists have multiple songs posted there) but it's a good way to check out some newer, Independent artists.

January 20th, 2013 at 3:43 PM | Gorilla vs. Bear is a great (Score:4 Normal)
ironman4579
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MGoPoints: 896

Gorilla vs. Bear is a great music blog.  They always have a good piece up on the SXSW festival.  As for bands, if you like Alt Country type music, Fleet Foxes are great. 

"They've roused the Fire Wyrm!"

-the 13th Warrior

January 20th, 2013 at 4:06 PM | Came in here to post that (Score:1)
gutnedawg
Joined: 12/18/2010
MGoPoints: 359

Came in here to post that blog

/°>

 

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