for months i’ve been planning to write this post, or in other words, for months i’ve had about 30 magazines lying in the middle of my room waiting to be written about. so, without further adieu, this is my opinion on what the best music magazines are out there. (notably, i am not a big rap music fan)
some of these mags are sure to be familiar to readers. some might be less familiar. beside the top 10, there are also a few at the bottom that are almost best magazine magazines and the usual suspects. the top 10 are not in numbered order, but there are 10 – which should be pleasing to list lovers.
if you read the inaugural audiophilage post, you heard that the final straw the broke the lazy aspiring blog writer’s back was that paste was having big financial problems. for that reason, i put them on the top. besides that, there is no rhyme or reason to placement. so, please enjoy. you’re guaranteed to find some great music thanks to the staffs of these magazines…
best of the best – or, the top 10 music magazines. period.
the “indie” standard. paste focuses on music, movies, books, games, tv, you name it, they cover it. the best thing about them is their digital vip subscription that entitles you to numerous digital goodies, gratis. generally a quick, light read and plenty of reviews, samples, streaming, and other love.
another music and film mag. this one from the uk. the irony is they have the best coverage of americana music. on the newsstand the price is a bit steep at 9.99, but the mag comes with a great sampler. you have to say i’m getting a great cd for 10 bucks, and the magazine just happens to come with it, and be outstanding.
every time i see their tag line “good music will prevail” – i chuckle a bit. i guess it’s true. they also cover fashion and other oddities. they do a good job with the indie music scene, much like paste. they’re also not averse to putting out free samplers to the masses… a serious plus.
another great indie mag. it’s not just that these magazines are indie and therefore good, they’re good and just happen to cover indie material. under the radar puts out reviews of cds, dvds, books, comics, films, tv shows, and video games. the only down side (and maybe that’s why the individual mags are better) – they generally issue quarterly. they also sponsor an excellent sampler.
this magazine is great because it honors songwriters and songwriting. it covers americana, country, and indie stuff mostly, and they have a monthly lyrics contest. there is also a healthy amount of material devoted to guitars and instruments conducive to – songwriting. makes sense since their moniker is “the craft of music.”
i love that they call themselves the world’s most popular music magazine. sort of reminds me of the local diner having a sign that says “world famous fried chicken and gritz.” world famous you say? anyway, mojo is focused on classic rock, but also covers modern stuff. they also love to do top 100 lists, have samplers with their mags, and are from the uk – which makes everything they say more believable.
oh canada. this is a sweet indie music mag from america’s hat. they have live reviews, cd reviews, and other good stuff. based in toronto, this is an entirely respectable magazine that can be counted on to provide good insight into the canadian music scene – which is an excellent scene (i mean, it’s big enough).
chart attack - chart
one more shout out to canada. it’s not clear to me how billboard ends up with the stuff it does on its charts and chart attack ends up with what it does on its charts. nevertheless, that is how it is and chart attack is better. much better. with coverage of top musicians, hip-hop, metal/punk, electronic, world/folks, and jazz/blues, they’re massively versatile and right on.
a new-ish magazine that has a great playlist on their site and good coverage of up and coming artists. blurt was called harp magazine before now. it focuses on indie rock and alt-country and is a welcome addition to the print mag mix. the “best kept secret” section is a cool idea that is bound to produce some nice results for both the magazine and the artists it features.
like a pitchfork editor gone back to college to get a phd in musicology and then starting up a fanzine. high brow, fancy pants, and all that. great reviews, great interviews, and a good top ten kept up on the website. even with the almost academic spin (the fact that it sounds academic – as opposed to music-y- might not entirely their intent), this magazine is more than just enjoyable, it’s excellent.
almost best magazine magazines
venuzine – covers many areas outside music, but the music section is done well. this magazine focuses on women.
rootsworld – covers world folk music. a nice change of pace, but it could be a little better.
in music we trust – not the best, but it has a nice cross section of punk, hardcore, and metal.
xlr8r – so they do cover a decent amount of general music, but for mixes, remixes, and things you can dance to – this is the place.
the wire – “adventures in modern music” sums it up. progressive, improv, electronica, and avant rock.
fused – music, fashion, it has a bit of this and that. a uk mag, and not bad.
q – feels alot like a british version of rolling stone (in terms of the content coverage, not popularity). everyone trusts a brit.
undercover – australia’s primo music and news mag.
the usual suspects
ap – alternative press, good for your powerpop, punk, and screamo fix.
rolling stone – the 800 lb gorilla.
spin – the 400 lb gorilla.
new music express – nme – the 800 lb british gorilla.
clash – kind of the blender of the uk (except in print still). pop music and fashion.
exclaim!*@# – one of two pop culture mags out of canada focusing on music.
access – two of two pop culture mags out of canada.
blender – now online only, this one should be banished. oh well… it was popular.
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