Artists: Indies and Comebacks

This month we'll take a look at several different types of sites. The first is just a small part of MP3.Com. The next two are artist sites. One will be a group who is trying to make it and another will be a nationally known group who's trying to make a comeback.

If you go to the Country Music section of the MP3.Com site, you'll find a Top 40 chart of songs appearing on MP3's Country Radio. There's a choice of playing the station at either low or high fidelity. What you'll hear is streamed mp3 files of songs appearing on the chart in some "randomly" programmed order. When I played the hi-fi version of the station, I heard the stream through Microsoft's Media Player. You can also play specifically selected songs from the chart or if you hear an artist you like, and I found plenty, you can go to the artist's page and download any or all of the mp3 files available.

The first good thing about this avenue for internet audio is that it works through, at least some, firewalls. I'm always looking for listening opportunities while I'm working and there's nothing worse than not being able to access some audio file because of firewall restrictions. I was pleasantly surprised that this one worked.

The next good thing about this radio station is that the music is real good. I guess the cream of unknown, independent artists is fianlly rising to the top. Sure, some of what you'll hear is "not quite ready for prime-time," but a lot of it really good. Check out Kelly Rae if you like the "New Country" sound; I think she's better than Shania what's-her-name. And if you like a more traditional sound, take a listen to Allen Laymen; he sounds a little like Tracy Lawrence. And if you like some traditional instrumental music, listen to George Chambers. His "Cotton Eyed Joe" is terrific.

And while you're at MP3.Com, check out the two singles by Desert Reign and then surf over to their web site. This Canadian group sounds a little like Lonestar. Their first single, "Forever In Your Eyes," got eight weeks of airplay north of the border. Their new single, "She's Not Askin' For Much," is even better and should do well. It's too bad no one from the lower 48 has heard of them. Here's your chance to enjoy a great band from the beginning of their careers.

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