How do you decide on new music to buy?

Despite it's limitations, I'm a big fan of allmusic.com myself. Generally, I hear of an artist that I'd like to check out, and I use their recommendations to decide which albums to start with. As you said, not foolproof, because sometimes a group's "definitive" work isn't the thing I'd like best, but it beats a pure random selection. There are other good published guides for a variety of genres--my Penguin guide to jazz is heavily dogeared, and I've still got the first edition of the Rolling Stone guide to rock. The key is to find ones that conform with your own tastes--and then recognize that no two tastes can ever be the same, so eventually you have to experiment on your own.

Typically I've reached the point when at least one of the musicians in the new music I buy will be known to me or at least I know from what "hangout" these musicians are and under who's influence. There are record labels that I would certainly pay attention at the first glance such as Axiom, Subharmonic, Opal, Discipline, Spoon. 99% that I will take anything carying one of above said record labels.

I share music with friends (word of mouth, mp3's.) I read reviews in Magnet and on the web. I keep up on the goings on of musicians I enjoy and their side projects. Certain small record labels have good taste and you can sample new bands on their label on their web site. Matador and Thrill Jockey are a couple that I'm familiar with. Finally going to live shows is a good way to not only see the bands you enjoy but also hear new groups and get into your local music scene (be it rock, jazz or whatever.)

So much good music. -Karl

Completely random, really. I pay a lot of attention to what folks talk about here, and will look deeper when something sounds interesting. More and more, I seem to be listening to music from friends, and friends of friends, or folks that friends are producing, etc. Living in NYC helps a lot, in that regard. Last night I saw two new folks that I had never heard before that I though were downright wonderful -- neither has recorded yet, but I talked to both of them, it's in the works, and I'll be among the first in line when they do. Another buddy of mine, one of the best trumpet players I've had the good fortune of hearing, just finished touring with Ani DiFranco (of all folks) and is playing tonight with a bunch of folks he produced lately at the Cutting Room -- for anyone in town, it's bound to be a great show. Finally, courtesy of a DJ friend of mine from down under, is the concept of the "one-for-one dinner party." Find someone who is passionate about music (most folks I know are wildly passionate about music, couldn't give a damn about fancy equiment, and think I'm nuts for sinking as much $ as I do into gear) and get together to simply trade off tunes. "You've heard this one a million times, but this is why you should hear it again for the first time..." to "...you haven't heard this one, but here is why you should give it a listen...," and everything in between. I try to talk music with just about everyone I meet, even complete strangers, and just keep trying to feel my way. Sometimes you get lucky, and it's those finds that make it all worth while.

I read a lot of music reviews from various music mags, such as Downbeat, Blues Review, Gramophone, TAS, Stereophile, TSS, etc. Then I usually go to a couple of Internet sites to see if I can find clips of the music to listen to. Tower Records often has sound clips for albums that it is selling -- they are only 30 second clips of various tracks, but they still give you a decent idea of the material and the performances.

Downbeat mag recently started a subscription service ($18.75 for 3 months) that allows you to access a number of recordings of all types: rock, jazz, blues, country, hiphop, folk, New Age, reggae, gospel and soul, etc., and then listen to and download entire songs. If the Downbeat site interests you, I made a post about it several weeks ago which contains more info and how to sign up. (The nice part of this service is that there are no "Napster" issues -- everything is licensed, so you get music fairly cheaply while the artists still get their piece of the pie.)