August, 2013, By Paul Gil, About.com Guide
This list is randomly ordered. Many items on this list are 'hubs' of radio stations with multiple channels. This changing list is compiled from reader suggestions. The evaluation criteria is a subjective blend of music selection size, ease of use, friendly navigation, availability, system requirements, and convenience of service. Nominate your own favorite radio stations here. Be warned: Internet radio does consume significant bandwidth over the hours. Streaming music is best listened to at home where you have a large or unlimited bandwidth allotment on DSL or cable.
This list is randomly ordered. Many items on this list are 'hubs' of radio stations with multiple channels. This changing list is compiled from reader suggestions. The evaluation criteria is a subjective blend of music selection size, ease of use, friendly navigation, availability, system requirements, and convenience of service. Nominate your own favorite radio stations here. Be warned: Internet radio does consume significant bandwidth over the hours. Streaming music is best listened to at home where you have a large or unlimited bandwidth allotment on DSL or cable.
1. Grooveshark: Self-Directed Radio
Grooveshark
is a real crowd pleaser! It is not a conventional Internet radio
station where a DJ or database designs the playlists. Instead, you
choose your own songs with the playlist creator. But much more than your
own computer, there are hundreds of thousands of songs to choose from
at Grooveshark. If you're willing to put in ten minutes of effort to
design your own playlist, Grooveshark will not disappoint. Advertising is a sidebar of visual ads on the right, which can be removed for 3 dollars per month.
2. Spotify
(Spotify.com)
Spotify
is arguably the best free music service available today. While Spotify
is limited to the USA, Spain, the UK,and parts of Europe at this time
(sorry, Canadians and the rest of you), it's already a massive hit with
listeners. As they surmount music licensing challenges, Spotify hopes to
expand into other countries soon.
As for the service itself: Spotify is a fast and reliable radio system that outstrips the competition. Spotify differentiates itself from iTunes and Pandora by behaving as a massive external hard drive (i.e. it plays full songs and albums as if you owned the CD). As a recommendation and discovery tool, Spotify also stands out: it reads your own music collection and playlists from your hard drives, and then suggests new releases, top-10 lists, and your friends' music lists. The interface is clean, and the search box is very convenient.
The service is free and unlimited for six months. After that, users can continue to receive free music with some limitations on number of hours, or else they can subscribe for five dollars a month.
Definitely try Spotify.com.
As for the service itself: Spotify is a fast and reliable radio system that outstrips the competition. Spotify differentiates itself from iTunes and Pandora by behaving as a massive external hard drive (i.e. it plays full songs and albums as if you owned the CD). As a recommendation and discovery tool, Spotify also stands out: it reads your own music collection and playlists from your hard drives, and then suggests new releases, top-10 lists, and your friends' music lists. The interface is clean, and the search box is very convenient.
The service is free and unlimited for six months. After that, users can continue to receive free music with some limitations on number of hours, or else they can subscribe for five dollars a month.
Definitely try Spotify.com.
3. Canadian Web Radio
This
is not a destination service, like the other items in this list.
Rather, this is a compilation of links to traditional Canadian radio
stations that also stream their shows across the Web. If you are curious
to listen to what Canadians are listening to, and talking about, check
out the music and talk shows at this Canadian radio hub. Special thanks to the About.com readers in Alberta who sent in this suggestion.
4. Maestro.fm
Like
Last.FM, Maestro is about social networking with other music fans. You
can trade playlists, follow user discussions on music genres, and
discover new artists through conversations. You can even store some of
your music at their remote storage site. If you like Facebook and
Last.FM, do give Maestro a try.
5. AcousticAlternative.com
Not
just acoustic, but also alternative, Charlestown, Ska, punk, and other
genres can be found at Acoustic Alternative. AA is not as popular as
other stations on this list, but the readers who have recommend Acoustic Alternative really like it.
6. Pirate Radio Network
Pirate
Radio Network offers two different means of listening to their
broadcasts: via web tuner or via a downloadable special player. Hundrds
of music genres abound here, and you're bound to discover new music that
you will like at Pirate Radio Network.
For those of you who use a PC: you can even make your own radio station
and start broadcasting yourself as an amateur DJ. You will have to
install a software package to try this, but it's definitely worth trying
if you've ever wanted to DJ.
7. Last.fm
Social
networking is strong at Last.FM: you can connect with other users and
trade suggestions and friendly banter. You can vote that you 'love' or
'hate' a particular artist or song. The recommendation will even try to
help you choose songs by taking your favorites and extrapolating from
there. The service does cost 3 dollars per month, and sometimes it feels
like Facebook, but Last.FM is a crowd pleaser. Try it and decide for yourself if you agree with the thousands of users who frequent this site.
8. 'The Inferno' Radio
The
Inferno specializes in 'eclectic' listening: blending many different
genres into a single playlist. David Bowie, Elvis Presley, Lady Gaga,
Kid Rock, Led Zeppelin, Cyndi Lauper... playlists that are compiled by
both DJ's and user music requests. If you have broad tastes in music, The Inferno might be a good radio station for you.
9. SHOUTcast by Nullsoft
SHOUTcast
is a massive selection of individual radio stations (over 700 pages
worth). In fact, there are so many stations here, it is intimidating to
even find one in the first place. But if you like niche music that is
hard to find, definitely try SHOUTcast. Gothic metal from the 90's, big
band swing remixes, German synth music... if there is a place to find
niche music, it would be here at SHOUTcast.
10. Pandora
11. Nu-Perception Radio
If you like drum, bass, jungle, and very deep percussion, then you're bound to like Nu-Perception.
Rave fans and trance fans consistently bookmark this site as a
destination of choice for their mad beats and hard-driving rhythms!
12. Real Radio
Real
Radio is a blend of paid and free straming stations. It's cumbersome to
find the free choices, and some of them require you to download and
install RealPlayer software, but Real does offer some solid music
choices. The interface is easy to use, many stations will let you play
with Windows Media Player, and thousands of users do bookmark this site
as a favorite. Definitely give it a 30 minute try to see if you like Real Radio.
13. Accuradio
Accuradio
is a solid music destination, having proven itself over the years. It
outputs high quality sound (for those of you with high-end sound
hardware). It is very configurable by genre, artist, even instrument. It
has a fabulous selection of radio channels/stations. If you can ignore
the large real estate consumed by advertising, Accuradio is a definite top choice for music fans.
14. 977 Music
977
Music is another one of many social networking radio station hubs.
There is plenty of visual advertising, so this site has good funding
behind it. 11 individual channels are offered. The big appeal is the
Facebook-type aspect of this, where you can meet other music fans who
share your tastes. While 977 Music
is not a standout service, it does have a solid following of users, and
was recommended by at least About.com readers to be included in this
list.
15. Yahoo! Music
Yahoo!
Music used to be one of the kings of Internet radio in 2004-2005. It
has lost popularity to other names like Pandora, but Yahoo! is still a
darn good destination for music. Users like the streaming video options,
along with the information on artists and current events news. Give Yahoo! Music a try for at least 15 minutes as you find a radio station for yourself.
16. Live365
Hundreds
of individual radio channels, an immense breadth of music genres, and
minimal advertising = a good Internet radio station. The interface is a
little cumbersome at first, and it isn't as clean as Rip Rock and other
stations, but definitely give Live365 a try.
17. RIPROCK Radio
This
is a very stylish single-channel site dedicated to the classic rock FM
culture of years past. Rip Rock blends all the recognizable FM classics
from the rock genres with new and obscure pieces. Van Halen, Rolling
Stones, Tom Petty, The Police, 38 Special, and more. Requests are taken
by the email engine, and there is a charming basement-studio flavor to
this station. If you are new to Internet radio, but know FM rock radio
from your youth, then definitely check out Rip Rock Radio.
18. Radioparadise.com
The
Wailin' Jennys, Spoon, Gustavo Santaolalla, Basement Jaxx, Pearl Jam,
Norah Jones: these are some of the artists you'll hear played at this
listener-supported radio station. Sound quality is controlled by you,
(16k to 192k bitrates, to allow for bandwidth restriction on your
connection). There are even live DJ's providing commentary and voice
interaction, just like an FM or AM radio station. If you like the sounds
of Radioparadise, you can support their operations by buying their nifty merchandise.
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