How to Discover New Music

If you are wondering how to expand your horizons musically, you couldn't be doing so at a better time. Thanks to this new-fangled Internet contraption, you no longer need endure the pitiless contempt of record store clerks in your search for new music; simply visit some of these sites and poke around.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet access

1. Visit http://www.allmusic.com. An enormous database with biographies, discographies and albums reviews for just about any artist you could think of, the site also lists groups influence and similar-sounding groups.

2. Search an artist that you like on allmusic.com. Investigate some of their influences and similar groups and do the same for the artist you are referred to. A little research goes a long way.

3. Know that the site also allows you to search by genre or even by mood. The genre overviews are very helpful, as they list top artists, songs and albums for each genre. The moods are less definitive, but they are a great way to browse and happen upon random artists.

4. Try http://www.idolator.com for a more topical, humorous reference, part of New York's Gawker media group. A constantly updated, witty blog with numerous contributors, Idolator is excellent for keeping up with current trends and getting turned on to the occasional overlooked artist. Snarky, to be sure, but a far cry from the taste maker elitism of Pitchfork.

Resources

• Allmusic Guide
• Idolator