Section 6.3. Music

6.3. Music

When you want to find out which music acts have new CDs out and, more importantly, which ones are worth buying, reviews are only a few clicks away. Music magazines and their accompanying online editions, like www.vibe.com, www.rollingstone.com, and www.spinmagazine.com, are good places to start, but you're not limited to mainstream rags.

Online music resources range from industry publications that cover some of everything to feisty independent sites that focus on indie music and upstart new bands. Or, if you love a specific genre , chances are there's a site just as devoted to it. Read on.

6.3.1. Billboard

Billboard , trade magazine for the recording business, has an online edition at www.billboard.com. While you're checking an interactive version of the famous Billboard Charts (the pop-song and CD bestseller lists), you can buy the CDor a new ringtone for your cellphone. You can also read reviews of recent albums and catch up on the latest news from the music biz.

6.3.2. Music Critic

Covering newly released albums in most musical genres, www.music-critic.com proudly claims to have "reviews by the people, for the people." Refreshingly, Music Critic's reviewers don't pull any punches when they find a recording not quite up to snuff. The site invites "the people" to submit reviews, as well.

6.3.3. Pitchfork

Online music mag Pitchfork lives up to its claim as the "home of the gratuitously in-depth record review." The site, at www.pitchforkmedia.com, specializes in detailed analysis of newly released rock and pop albums, plus free song downloads and feature articles. If you seek new sounds, Pitchfork is a great place to find up-and-coming artists .

6.3.4. Music Sites by Genre

If you're a classical music buff or jazz aficionado, you know where to find the special radio stations , music stores, and concert halls devoted to your particular preference. So don't waste time scrolling past Beyonc and Green Day; go straight to a Web site that speaks your musical language.

6.3.4.1. HipHop DX

Centered in the realm of hip-hop and rap, HipHopDX (www.hiphopdx.com) hosts reviews, news, and lists of upcoming releases. You'll also find audio tracks, video clips, and playlist ideas (in the Mixtape section). The Community area holds message boards , contests, and RSS feeds (Section 5.5).

6.3.4.2. Gramophone

The austere classical- music publication that's been reviewing recordings since 1923 has its online residence at www.gramophone.co.uk. You can browse the site's archive of recommendations for the best versions of popular works. An Editor's Choice section lists the 10 best classical recordings of the month. Feature articles on the state of classical music today, a section devoted to upcoming concerts and tours , and discussion forums round out the site.

6.3.4.3. Classics Today

With daily updates and tons of reviews in its searchable archive, Classics Today (www.classicstoday.com) makes old music feel new again. The site reviews live concerts as well as classical recordings on new high-fidelity formats like Super Audio CD, DVD, and so on.

6.3.4.4. Jazz Review

Critiques of jazz CDs, concerts, and books are just some of the fare at Jazz Review (www.jazzreview.com). The site also offers columns , interviews, and photos. The site's discussion forums range from listening guides and polls to musician-oriented boards where performers can trade tips and all that er, jazz. (There's also a monthly email newsletter if you still can't get enough.)

6.3.4.5. Country Stars Online

Long-form reviews of new albums, an indie-artist spotlight, and a bustling news section keep country music fans in the know at www.countrystarsonline.com. CSO hosts links to official artist Web sites and lovingly created fan monuments, so you never have to look far to find more information about your favorite country band or singer .

6.3.4.6. World Music Central

Whether you like lilting Celtic melodies, tingly Asian string music, pulsating African drums, or any other tradition from the global jukebox, World Music Central (www.worldmusiccentral.org) has some newsand reviewsfor you. The site invites submissions of album, concert, and book reviews, and its World Music Forum hosts discussions on everything from upcoming festivals to finding traditional folk instruments.

GEM IN THE ROUGH
Ask MetaCritic

Browsing the Web for the latest buzz on albums, DVDs, books, movies, and video games is fun, but time doesn't always allow for it. When you're splurging on a gift (even if it's for yourself), sometimes you just want a general thumbs-up or thumbs-down from the critics . Before you plunk down your hard-earned cash, point your browser to www.metacritic.com .

MetaCritic collects reviews from various mainstream publications and comes up with an overall score. To make things easy, a color -coded label appears next to each item reviewed: green for good ; yellow for yuh-huh, whatever ; and red for run for the hills, as far away from this thing as you can get .

The site may even settle your family's next remotecontrol tug-of-war: MetaCritic reviews TV shows, too.