Q - England

There used to be tons of music magazines in Britain, but gradually they've disappeared, giving way to lifestyle magazines that run the gamut from celebrity gossip, to articles on (of all things) health. Q has always been focused on music and is pretty much the best barometer of the British music scene. It's stylish, irreverent and intelligent. They're aren't afraid to offend the interviewees neither.

A subscription to Q will keep you up to date on breaking new bands, in-depth interviews with musicians, latest album reviews, (many of which don't get US releases, and certainly aren't played on Clear Channel radio stations) and some really great photography. All of this is delivered with the usual wry humour of good British journalism.

$140 is a lot to pay in one go. I buy it monthly from my local bookshop where the price works out a bit higher, but only because I keep moving house and can't be dealing with changing my address, and I like to support local stores. It's worth bearing in mind that on average 4 issues a year come with full length CDs which mitigates the initial outlay a bit.

Go on... subscribe, you know you want to.

This subscription is the way to go if you are sick and tired of finding the last copy of Q magazine for sale on the newstands is missing the 'enclosed' CD because some chump has stolen it before you could. This rock music magazine is superior to others on the market, in my opinion, because it has excellent production values, i.e. luxuriantly thick and glossy paper and high quality reproductions. As a bonus, the writing is superior and highly imaginative. An expecial favorite section of mine is the 'man on the streets' section in the back where concert goers are canvassed for their opinions on the show they have just watched. I like it because the reporter is sure to get a good cross-section of the audience and it clues one in on the reaction different types of people have to the band. In addition, this magazine covers US and worldwide bands that may not be as well-known here in the USA as they are in UK; often these are bands that we might want to know better. The reviews section is always great, and usually the magazine will highlight a mini-section e.g. 'Best R&B albums from the 1970's, in which lost gems are rediscovered for the reader who may be too young to remember or even know about these artists. This magazine will have you finding, buying and liking albums by bands you've never heard of, and who can beat the home delivery aspect for nickels more than the newstand price?

Buy Q - England Now

This one's a good one from good ol' UK. Let me explain the perks:

1. You get a perspective on music that isn't totally Americanized; that is, mainstream boy bands and Creed clones aren't cluttering up the pages.

2. If you like Britpop, then naturally you would choose a magazine closer to their turf for better reviews.

3. The British aren't so conservative with their magazines, thus the pages of this magazine can be especially juicy.

Read Best Reviews of Q - England Here

Q is the only music magazine worth reading, in my opinion. Too bad it's British and I'm American and a subscription to it costs an arm and a leg over here. There is no American magazine that measures up. American music magazines tend to either cover crap or be full of dull, fawning 12 page interviews of bands you haven't heard of yet. Q mixes the old and familiar and with the new and trendy and doesn't leave out anything, no matter how uncool. This, combined with its irreverent tone, makes for a music magazine that is actually an enjoyable, funny read. It's a little Britain-centric, of course, but that's okay because British music is, in general, better than American anyway.

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...it is also one of the things that makes me think of home when I am not there. Q has a definitve style in the music market, while most music mags focus on a musical genre or a particular target audience, Q lets any music or artist with an ounce of talent or credibility be their prize. To this end they have featured musical interviews with everyone from Madonna to Leonard Cohen, Blur to George Michael. The breadth is incredible, the journalistic style is artistic and grittily honest. The interest and need to share on the subject of sound talent is endless. The only musical snobbery you will bare witness to here is an avid aversion to the growing "pop stars/pop idol/American idol/x factor", style dross which floods todays market. Thank goodness they do so instead of pandering to it without question like the mass of vile celeb trash mags do! I use the term "celeb" in it's loose sense here since one only has to show ones naked behind on Big Brother to be labelled with this dubiuos accalade these days!

The best testament to Q, for myself and many Brits, was that the late great John Peel (Uber DJ and font of all musical knowledge that was worth knowing) loved the magazine.

It kind of is a printed "Old Grey Whistle Test" I suppose, Peel's much loved BBC live music show from the 60's, 70's and 80's. If you love music then you will love Q!