Get Free Music from the World's Best Bands

I've read many posts here on AC about free music sites, but they typically either list sites with no concern for legal status or they offer broad sites where you can spend days pecking around for something you might like (though this post inspired me to check out some of the writer's own compelling ambient electronica compositions).

I want free, legal downloads that somebody has already vetted (to use one of the top words of 2008) for me. Magazines and Webzines already give some people thousands of songs every year to rate, review and rank. These musical tastemakers compile year-end critics' polls - a great annual treat. Not only are they great flame fodder on message boards. They also offer a quick crib sheet for the year's finest offerings.

Looking around this year, it seems Fleet Foxes and TV On The Radio top many lists. But how do you decide if you'll actually like these two very different bands? Listening to a few tracks on their MySpace page doesn't cut it for me. The sounds quality is often lousy, especially on my computer speakers. I also have been burned too many times by a catchy radio hit that grows old by the fifth listen (anyone remember the Spin Doctors?). Better to give a band time to grow on you.

So here are some Web sites that offer full downloads by some of the best, most critically acclaimed artists in the music business (though I encourage everyone to buy the artists' full albums after sampling the free, legal downloads here):

1. NPR's music site - Those folks on the left end of your radio dial who bring you "A Prairie Home Companion" have great taste in music. You could spend days at the National Public Radio site, listening to single tracks, subscribing to the multiple "All Songs Considered" Podcasts or downloading full, free concerts by the world's best musicians. You may not like every act, but you'll at least know why they are all acclaimed and you'll hopefully appreciate the talent. The concert downloads are my favorite section, with recent offerings from Conor Oberst, Radiohead and Ra Ra Riot, among dozens of others. The concerts download as single tracks, up to three hours long, so it's hard to skip to a favorite song, but that is how the concert was meant to be heard. Plus, All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen introduces the band, and offers wonderful commentary and background (he's like Howard Cosell for indie rock fans).

2. Wolfgang's Vault - Speaking of full concert downloads, have you ever thought about the one concert you would travel through time to hear? If so, you can probably find it on this site. The site began with a fantastic selection of live recordings from the massive Bill Graham Presents concert archive - all top-quality soundboard recordings of the greatest acts from 1965 to 1990. The site has since expanded to include hundreds of other streaming shows, plus dozens of reasonably priced concert downloads. The latest addition is free concert downloads by some of the finest independent rock bands. You can listen to two different free concerts by the Fleet Foxes, and find out why they landed on many critics' lists for Album of the Year, Debut of the Year and Live Band of the Year. The Vault doesn't offer the critical analysis of NPR, but any act on the site is surely worth a listen. You have to register for the site, but it's quick and free. Finally, for those concerned about artists getting cash along with the kudos, Wolfgang's Vault pays artists every time you listen to the concerts, even if you don't pay for the downloads.

3. Daytrotter - On the indie side of the Wolfgang's Vault archives, you may notice many the concerts are from the Daytrotter Studios. There's plenty more where that came from. Daytrotter focuses on concert, remixes and unreleased studio tracks from their favorite bands. You can listen to songs while reading interviews with the band, or just download thousands of new tracks. You'll also know that when you find your new favorite band and just have to buy their full album, it will be completely different material.

4. Sterogum - This site is something of a clearinghouse for music snobs, listing (and critiquing) everyone else's reviews, lists and more. To dish dirt on Bruce Springsteen's new cover art, see VH1's favorite rap songs of all time or read the latest music news, make Stereogum your home page. While there, you can download hundreds of free, legal music, including 22 unreleased covers of songs from R.E.M.'s "Automatic for the People."