One of my favorite record reviews:

http://www.markprindle.com/meatpuppets.htm#MP2

(in stark contrast with the highly intelligent lester bangs review)

Thankyou. No I havent but its on my list of music books Im planning to get along with Kill yr. Idols by Derogatis and the Mainlines book by Lester Bangs.:)

Another really good source is record company websites. Most indie sites these days host streams or MP3s of their bands music cause its easy promotion. A really good one for this is Domino Records in the UK. They have loads of stuff by some great bands (Smog, the Kills for one album) and some good ones (Archie Bronson Outfit).:)

My mom went to school in New Orleans so she's always been pretty keen on jazz. But she has a few books about jazz, and since I have the overwhelming urge to read any litature (especially music or phycology realated) that I see lying around the house, I've read them. The only one that pertains to your question is called The Story of Jazz by Marshall ? (I can't remember the last name and don't feel like searching my house for it, but if you need it tell me and i'll go and find it). It is pretty informative and easy to read for a jazz book, because a few of them I have read are very erudite.

Is it this book?

yea. that's it. Kudos on finding it online.

I think that one is intelligent too (although consciously anti-intellectual) and clever as hell.

"Any guitar fan who doesn't love this album probably has a mustache. Or wears a denim jacket. Either way, he doesn't find women attractive."

:laughing:

On the sources part, I read this magazine called Magnet, which is actually a decent music magazine. Most music magazines usually have 5 or 6 articles I want to read, but I read this one cover-to-cover. The people/bands featured on the cover of the magazine next to me at the moment are:

TV on the Radio
Pearl Jam
Sonic Youth,
Stephin Merritt
Rickard Ashcroft
Mojave 3,
Red Krayola
Juana Molina
Rainer Maria
Band of Horses
World Party
Black Angels
Yo La Tengo
Moore Brothers
Parts and Labor
Danielson Famile
Sparta
Shot X Shot
Scott Walker
Stuart Murdoch
Walkmen
Elf Power
Built To Spill
Okkervil River

So yea, it's a good magazine to check out.

I also find lastfm.com, this site, and a small number of my friends are helpful for learning about music

yeah i know. I came when a member "gottascrem" also joined, and i saw him being ripped to piesces so i was especially intimadated.

But ive already learned a ton, just looking at the stickies(especially the history ones) and seeing what people chat about.

I mainly use Purevolume, Last.Fm and subscriptions in rolling stone and mojo. Also my sis' current boyfriend is a music producer and is in the U.K a lot so i get to know about U.K invasions early.

I agree, Last.fm can be a big help. Often when you find a band you want more like the stuff you've just heard, so the similar artists columns can be very helpful.

Just a comment on Merkaba's sig - I love that show. Ben Elton's a bit of a wanker (Im not one to go on about selling out but I can definitely make an exception when i comes to Ben Elton) and has done absolutely bugger all of any quality in years but that show had some great writing.:)