Below you will find a list of some of our favorite music-focused sites on the web, one for each letter of the alphabet. Though this can not be viewed as a complete list (some letters are bigger (and better) than others, which means many quality sites have been left off), this list does in fact feature twenty six of the best music sites in the world, covering a variety of styles, formats, and genres. Please leave suggestions of your own favorites, or ones that should’ve been included here, in the comments.

Allmusic.com - though it’s often one of the slowest loading sites on the web, it’s also one of the most comprehensive. An essential visit for information about nearly any musician/music industry type who has ever be involved in making a record.

BrooklynVegan - if you can refrain from getting sucked into the mindless vortex of the comment section, BrooklynVegan is worthy of multiple daily visits to find out who is/has played New York area shows and to find out other pertinent musical (with an indie slant) news and events. Consistently solid photos and mini-features that are getting better and better.

Contrast Podcast - The Contrast Podcast started in March 2006 and has seen the production of one episode each week since then, usually published on Tuesdays. The podcast works like this: a theme is chosen and then a variety of contributors choose songs based on that theme and record witty and interesting spoken introductions which they send to Tim Young who compiles them into a lovely podcast.

Daytrotter - slowly becoming today’s version of the Peel Sessions, this site compiles fantastic live sessions with artists at Futureappletree Studio One in downtown Rock Island, Ill. The Session Archive should keep you happily busy for a month or so.

Elbo.ws - this music blog aggregator tracks the posts on thousands of sites and reproduces them as snippets with tagged MP3s. If you’re looking for a song online, start here. It’s well designed and essential.

Fluxblog - the Godfather of music blogging, Matthew Perpetua posts about songs and the occasional live show with equal parts personality and nerdy insight. Great taste to boot.

Gorilla vs. Bear - want to keep up with all of the in-the-know middle America Joneses and see a few backstage Polaroids of musicians too? Then this is your site. It’s got a great taste filter that continually assures quality music is being posted.

Heartonastick - not always strictly about music, and not updated as often as I’d like… but still, J from Heartonastick is one of the best writers out there when he’s on. Also, a refreshingly competent researcher and scourer of the internets. Good times.

Idolator - some of the posts feel as though the staff is being whipped by a slave master who is forcing them to pump out post after post after post. SOME. However, the rest of the articles make up for the drivel as they feature breaking news, lists, links, and (often) seriously well thought out essays.

John Peel Everyday - currently undergoing some technical difficulties but “back soon”, this site posts recordings of old John Peel radio shows because, as the author puts it, “I miss John Peel every day and I know I’m not alone in this”.

KEXP - one of the top radio stations on the planet that lets you listen live online. Their programming is top notch.

Largehearted Boy - daily news bits, daily (legal) MP3s, the best new release tracker online, and frequent features on books and reading make this one of my very most favorites sites. Once you start reading you’re sure to go back every day.

Merry Swankster - great writing from a staff that’s spread out across the country… in a world of alllooksames this site stands out.

NYC Taper - records New York area shows and posts them as FLACs and MP3s for users to download. Top notch bootleg sound. If you go to a show in NYC check in here to see if they’ve attended as well - it makes for a great way to relive that amazing concert.

Oh My Rockness - New York, LA, and Chicago music fans should be checking this site for continually updated concert listings. If you like indie rock, they’ve got you covered.

Pitchfork TV - forget about the other Pitchfork, this one’s where the good shit is happening. Goodbye MTV. Hello Pitchfork TV!

Quiet Color - it’s a new one, but Quiet Color is showing promise with good taste, tons of updates, and some rather well put together words, stills, and videos.

RollingStone - inching towards irrelevance, this deity of music journalism is still worth visiting in online form, at the very least, because of their searchable archives.

Said the Gramophone - good writing is often hard to find when it comes to music sites. When it comes to Said the Gramophone, you’ll find good writing and great music posted nearly every day.

Tiny Mix Tapes - swell design, good writing, articles, reviews, features, and the old trusty Automatic Mix Tape Generator keep this site ranking very high on my list of favorites.

Uncensored Interview - is “a broadband video platform for indie music artists and fans to be seen and heard in their truest form - uncensored and real.” Basically, it rules.

Vulture - NY Magazine’s entertainment blog covers music news, live shows, rumors, lists, celebrity sightings, and leaks. Worth a visit once a week.

WOXY - “the future of rock and roll” is still alive and well online. Easily the best radio station that I’ve ever heard.

XLR8R - reviews, news, features, MP3s, videos… this site has it all. Plus, it’s also published as a magazine. Hot.

You Ain’t No Picasso - ever want to know what your average college aged Midwestern American male music nerd is listening to? Check out You Ain’t No Picasso.

ZME Music - comprehensive blog covering a very wide variety of genres and styles but focusing on the more popular bands out there, ZME Music is well-designed and has a few features worth keeping an eye on (such as the apparently deceased Wednesday Smiler Jerker).

*front image from HERE.