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Innumerable Distractions

By Scott Smith in Arts & Entertainment on Apr 4, 2006 6:10PM

With a music scene as robust as Chicago’s, it’s rare that we’re at a loss for things to write about (with the notable exception of the entire month of February). No, our problem is we’re so easily distracted. 2006_04_clickaddict.jpgWhen faced with the choice between making words form sentences or reading a few good websites, we usually end up taking the road most easily traveled. Give us a decent blogroll and we’re like a little kid in a room full of shiny objects.

If you’re ever irritated that there’s nothing new after you refresh, here are a few sites to blame:

Oh My Rockness – We can actually feel our wallet getting thinner as we read OMR’s list of upcoming local shows. It’s our first stop if we have a weekend night free to spend at a show, and their “recommended shows” pieces are the perfect indie rock fakebook.

Radio Free Chicago – We get our Tuesday shopping list from this site’s posts on New Releases and catch up on shows we missed thanks to its live reviews. Actual radio comes courtesy of links to local college stations and Internet radio behemoths like WOXY and KEXP.

The True Mix – The blog for Stolen Mix Tape, a media-sharing and promotion website. Stolen Mix Tape is a repository of information on up-and-coming Midwest bands while The True Mix is a link-filled wonderland that helps us disassociate from our fluorescent-lit cube farm.

Glorious Noise – Though no longer regaling us with O.C. wrap-ups, the site that believes “rock and roll can change your life” goes beyond reviews and previews by delving into the cultural issues surrounding music like fandom, copyrights and geezer rock. Between their boards and comment sections, there are plenty of places to add your own two cents.

Theft Liable To Prosecution – Written by a local DJ, it’s like reading a blog full of recommendations from your really smart music friend. No, not that one. The other one, who doesn’t act like a pompous ass when you say you heard about this really great new band and he says “Oh I’m so over them by now.”

Pitchfork/Intonation/Lolla fest sites – Though the lion’s share of info on Lolla is already out, we’re still watching Pitchfork and Intonation go tit for tat on releasing details for their respective lineups. Pitchfork’s latest announcement included Chicago mainstay Chin Up Chin Up, Futureheads and Art Brut.

What are YOU reading?