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Alternative Sites for Free MP3

Readers who think Napster and MP3.com are the be-all. Not to mention end-all of MP3 download destinations, we recommend checking out these sites that have (unintentionally) avoided the limelight. And be surprised at the amazing tunes you can find for free; all without agreeing to a monthly subscription!

Vitaminic
If you want to check out the world of music outside the US, this site is a must. From British Indie rock to Spanish jazz or even Danish gospel, Vitaminic offers MP3s from all European communities. What is particularly impressive, is the good quality of their music. With so many sites suffering from poorly recorded databases, it's refreshing to view a site that actually filters its content. In the genre of alternative music, Vitaminic should be one of your first stops on the Web.
www.vitaminic.com

Epitonic
Epitonic calls itself a site for sore ears. The navigation of the site is both simple and intuitive, and the genres (and respective sub-genres) are clear and well organised. An interesting new feature is their "black box". It essentially works like a storage area for collecting, storing, organising and listening to music. It contains folders with top picks by Epitonic editors and artists. It also has an Inbox where you can place your own favorite songs. Investigate their experimental music section. This page is reputed to be unparalleled on the Internet.
www.epitonic.com

BeSonic
Offers the latest from the Euro MP3 community. Although there is a heavy German influence across the genre boards, the music is high quality and the themes are unique. The site features a community network where you can meet other fanatics and share play lists. As Besonic is meticulous in filling out its categories, users will benefit from the rich content.
www.besonic.com

Audiogalaxy
Sporting a rather nice looking logo on its interface, this site is not just a simple file sharing beta. Audiogalaxy is a MP3 download site with a comprehensive category page. When you choose an artist, the site highlights the band's best track and then provides you with the option of seeing more music. The editors choose what song best represents the band in question. This is helpful for discovering new artists. All you have to do is click the download and sample away. The site also provides free hosting for musicians.
www.audiogalaxy.com

Insound
Insound breaks from the standard genre-page format and allows you to enter band names in the MP3 search field. The site caters to users who have a moderate command of indie rock know-how. Editors volunteer interesting commentary about many of the artists and feature lengthy biographies about others. Less of an all-purpose MP3 site and more a genre-specific tool, Insound is a clear leader in the alternative and experimental rock departments. Look for unreleased songs of your favorite bands; Insound offers a smattering of the rare as well.
www.insound.com

Compiled by Yagna Balaji
[email protected]

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