We have batted about this issue of how hard it is to find good artists among all the tripe we get from videos and radio nowadays. Not to sound like Oliver Stone here, but with increased concentration of media power, it's gonna get harder. I've struggled with this for a while, but I've found some interesting stuff by doing these things:

1. Borders has a scan system that allows you to scan most CDs and listen to samples of all the tracks. That's a great device/

2. The buddy system works. I get tips from my friends all the time about music and found some great music that way.

3, Branch out. For example, I liked the sound of acid jazz/downtempo, but didn't buy it for years. After a friend made a few suggestions, I bought a couple of CDs and my collection has grown steadily ever since. If you're curious about a style of music, explore it -- don't limit yourself!

4. Go back to the "oldies but goodies." Greatest hits compilations are good for re-discovering talented artists, and finding new music you hadn't heard from them before.

5. If you buy music through Amazon.com, they will automatically forward you recommendations of albums they think you may like, depending on your prior purchases. Those recommendations are actually pretty good sometimes.

6. Try jazz music. It's cheap, plentiful, fit for virtually any mood. It's now my favorite music!

7. VH1 Soul features a lot of artists that don't get a lot of airplay: Cee-Lo, Vivian Green, Remy Shand, etc.

8. Get out and hear live music!

But the orgers are a relatively discriminating bunch, and most of you may know this stuff already. So tell me: what other suggestions do u guys have for me?

Support local music. It's cheap and you'll find some great stuff sometimes.

good point, otan.

Amazon is good, not for their recommendations, but for the lists people make. If you look something up, usually there will be a couple lists on the side like "The greatest 'whatever' albums of all time" that somebody made. The album you looked up with usually be in there and then a lot of other albums that are usually good and similar to what you were looking for. I always do this, then I hit Kazaa to download a few tracks. If I like it, I will buy the CD. If I dont like it, I just have a few more tracks taking up space on my hard drive.