Nothing But Net

Lunch Break Links

by Chris DeVille

For the web version of "Lunch Break Links," I link to breaking entertainment news and fun features cribbed from the morning's online buzz. In this print edition, I'd like to spout off about some of the sites I turn to for my daily tidbits, specifically some of the most popular music blogs.

stereogum.com

Stereogum used to bill itself as "The No. 1 Music Blog," and that's certainly true in terms of quantity. The site is a virtual clearinghouse for new MP3s, videos, tour dates and reviews of high-profile New York concerts, mixing liberally between indie-rock staples, new buzz bands and pop megastars. It loves to dabble in gossip, and it has a slate of informative features, such as "Bands to Watch" and "Quit Your Day Job." Sometimes Stereogum revels a little too much in the gossip end of things, and it has been accused of telling readers what it's "OK" to like. But for sheer volume of worthwhile content, there are few more useful sites.

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idolator.com

Idolator is part of the eternally snarky Gawker Media family of blogs, and it may be the snarkiest of them all. It presents a weirdly appealing blend of coverage ranging from hit-making pop stars to yesteryear's nearly forgotten underground stars. Idolator tends to point out news items of note, skewer them, then pass them along to its jaded readers. Perhaps better than the humorous news posts are the MP3 blog roundups, which spotlight the day's more adventurous offerings of free music. The site's slogan really says it all: "When the Internet came, we overthrew the pasty white tastemakers, the duplicitous music marketers and the manufactured pop idols. And then they all came back. This is Idolator. We're so disappointed."

blog.largeheartedboy.com

Largehearted Boy is, for the most part, a set of useful compilations. It posts its own set of daily links, which provide fine pickins for my web column, but its more valuable service is its weekly roundup of the week's "Interesting CD Releases" and "Interesting DVD Releases." The site also delves into book coverage with a fun weekly feature in which musicians (including, recently, Columbus' own Jerry Dannemiller) write about their favorite books.

gorillavsbear.blogspot.com

Only of late have I come around to Dallas-based Gorilla Vs. Bear. The site covers all your typical indie-rock sensations, from New Pornographers to Polyphonic Spree to Animal Collective, but it devotes a healthy amount of time to more obscure acts—this week it's Tree Wave and Yacht. In terms of quality, this is destination reading (and listening).

June 14th, 2007