Your Guide to Indie-Rock on the Web

Thanks to new forms of music distribution - MP3s, MySpace, digitally-exclusive releases - artists can now have a much faster turn around time on releases, while the rise of the internet has made it easier for smaller, unsigned bands to gain a fan base or hype. While both of these things are definitely positives, it can make the job of music fans more difficult. Finding new, and good, music, while also keeping up to date with the latest trends and upstart artists can prove difficult in the world of indie rock, a world that has become a huge part of blog culture and exclusive/ rare tracks. To help in your fight to stay on top of all things indie rock, I have listed below some of the best sites on the web with info on the newest and best artists in indie rock.

Pitchfork
www.pitchforkmedia.com
Pitchfork is almost "classic" in website terms. The site is a famous source for music snobs country-wide thanks to an elevated writing style and up-to-date coverage on up and coming artists as well as classics. Their album reviews may be the major focus of the site, but daily news updates and an array of fantastic features articles that cover everything from indie-rock and indie-pop to hip-hop and experimental music make for constant good reads. The streaming audio and video (which is updated multiple times a day) also adds to the appeal of the site. This is the page that blogs have been imitating for years, so you might as well get the original.

Tiny Mix Tapes
www.tinymixtapes.com
With a sleek comic-book design and the most sarcastic, goofball take on indie-rock news on the web, Tiny Mix Tapes offer another fresh perspective. While Tiny Mix Tapes may not crank out as many reviews as Pitchfork, they often cover more news items related to the music industry. If new file-sharing laws are passed or the RIAA is in a bind about something, Tiny Mix Tapes will have coverage. They also feature a "Delorean" section that reviews old releases you may have overlooked from years ago as well as a "Eureka" section that covers more obscure genres and releases that most large-scale blogs will overlook.

Coke Machine Glow
www.cokemachineglow.com
Coke Machine Glow is one of the only indie-rock sites to still dish out individual track reviews. So amongst a batch of album reviews, live reviews, and columns that seek to fill in gaps in your indie knowledge by focusing on specific genres and time periods, you can also get a feel for tracks worth buying direct off iTunes. Like Pitchfork the writing is in intellectual and often insightful, while maintaining a sense of humor.

Punknews
www.punknews.org
When it comes to the "heavier" side of indie-rock one need look no further than Punknews.org. Here the news updates come quite often and offer info on upcoming tours, new tracks, interviews, gossip, and more. Meanwhile album reviews are dropped twice a week on the reader, and while the writing-level may not be as high as the other sites mentioned so far, the reviews here will tap you into the more aggressive side of indie.

Three Imaginary Girls
www.threeimaginarygirls.com
Based in Seattle this site takes on a much more personal feel than those already mentioned thanks to its blog-like style. You get album reviews, live reviews, and interviews here, but you also the oft-updated news bits you've come to expect from indie-rock blogs. There is also interesting takes on old tracks as well as a calender and a very active commenting community. The fun level seems to go a bit up on this site as the snobbery gets turned down a bit.