25 Best Blogs 2009

A daily sampler of "really good songs" as judged by the three Canadian music fans who compile the site. Launched in March 2003, Said the Gramophone was one of the first mp3 blogs that actually let you download and listen to the music being described. And when it comes to music, hearing is believing. How many times have you bought a CD on the recommendation of a magazine or newspaper review only to find the music sounded nothing like the description? Said the Gramophone solves that problem, although you have to act fast on listening to the music — all songs are removed from the blog within a week or two of posting. The capsule reviews are reliably thoughtful with occasional forays into the surreal, and most songs are accompanied by a link in case you want to buy them immediately. It's a great, low-risk way to get turned on to new music.

Sample Said the Gramophone post: What seems at first like a jingle is in fact a wistful complaint, or rather it's a jingle for post-industrial angst; a psych-pop ditty that sounds as good now as it must have in 1971, warm & catchy & spry.

Entry you'll never see: Nickelback has never sounded better!