CLICK AND DOUBLE CLICK: MUSIC SITES PROVIDE THE SPOTLIGHT FOR NEW ARTISTS

I was so intrigued with the sites nominated for the Webby awards, I decided to visit a few more this week. After all, these are supposed to represent some of the best and brightest on the Internet.

While I have seen a number of these sites, quite a few are new to me. Let's check out the nominees in music. All five were fascinating, well done and useful.

www.farmclub.com

Jimmy and Doug bring us Farmclub.Com, a place you can listen, watch and talk about music and videos. They bill themselves as the only online community where artists and music lovers can get together and help influence which songs are broadcast. Farmclub proudly boasts of being the world's first digital record label. My, how time has changed.

You can upload music from the site's portfolio of new and unique talent or check out featured artists.

More than 100 new unsigned bands will be showcased this year on their weekly TV show or check out MTV for coverage of Farmclub.com artists. Archived shows can easily be accessed.

You can also slip into a listening room, which Farmclub scouts think are hot in such genre as rock, rap/hip hop, pop, electronica/dance, alternative and R&B.

In the digital jukebox, you can search by song, artist title or genre. Or click the Randomizer button for a surprise. This really is a great way for unknown bands to get exposure. You can also download MP3 files. There's also bulletin boards and chat to hook up with other music fans.

www.launch.com

You can create your own video and audio channels based on your favorite artists and genres at Launch. Here, you are encouraged to discover new music.

You can listen to music, watch videos and interviews, read articles about music stars and unknowns and interact with chat and contests. The site boasts of more than 4,000 videos available for viewing on demand.

You download a free remote control that sits on your desktop.

I found it interesting that they call members DJs, who pick their own music. You can rate songs, albums and artists to influence the frequency to hear the music. You can instantly connect with fans of a particular song, album or artist and you can "X" a song, album or artist and never have to hear it again.

It did look like they had access to some more well-known groups. One of the top groups requested is Aerosmith.

www.napster.com

"Napster is music at Internet speed." This site boasts that its program takes the hassle out of searching for MP3 music files.

It also allows users to chat with each other in forums based on music genre. The audio player plays MP3s inside Napster, in case you don't have an external player or prefer not to use it.

It also allows you to keep track of your favorite MP3 libraries for later browsing. Sorry, it only supports PCs right now, although a Mac version is in the works.

Interesting enough, the Recording Association of America has filed a lawsuit against Napster on behalf of 18 record companies. It accuses Napster of "contributory and vicarious" copyright infringement. Regardless of the outcome, Napster points out the lawsuit will break new ground in the ongoing controversy surrounding online music. You can watch this space for updates on the lawsuit. You can throw in your opinion on their message boards.

There's also an interesting "how to" section for bands or artists to put their music out for Internet distribution, including a link to Time Magazine's "Be a Rock Star" tutorial. In other words, you have to get your music into an MP3 format. The Internet can give today's new bands a step up.

www.sputnik7.com

Danger, if you log onto to this site at the office, turn down your speakers. The opening screen briefly announces its arrival with static and music. Again, it only works on PCs, although a Mac version is supposedly in the works.

There are five different streaming video stations. You can check out TV-like experience with multiple stations including music and film. There's also video on demand. You can browse the music video or film library.

In the radio station category, you can launch the site's audio player and listen to commercial-free Internet radio.

Users of this site can make requests, rate videos and find information on artists and films without interrupting audio/visual sessions.

Membership is free, but members receive certain extended privileges such as chat, a request feature and videos on demand.

The site also offers digital downloads that can be played with Windows Media Player, RealPlayer G2 or a MP3 player. The site also features content on new music and up-and-coming artists.

www.wiredplanet.com

Again, this site emphasizes "music your way." They boast of being the "easiest way to listen to music on the net." WiredPlanet offers personalized, streaming MP3 files directly to a listeners' desktop. It is delivered through a combined of the Web site and a desktop application, which can be downloaded free.

You can rate the songs to allow users to control the rotation of songs within each station. A rating of zero means you won't hear the song again.

You can also collect tracks and create your own station from WiredPlanet's library of licensed music. These "MyStations" can be shared with friends or broadcast to other listeners.

While you're listening to WiredPlanet, users can also get information about the current station or the "artist info" button to get more information on a song you like. It will provide bio, photos and samples of more songs.

The site also has a chat area to link with other listeners.

You can use the WiredPlanet desktop application to listen to MP3 files you've downloaded off the Internet. In turn, users can also use their Web browser or own MP3 player to use WiredPlanet, without an additional download.

The site also features weekly interviews with new bands, established recording artists, music reviews, artist pages and tools for finding music. You can also use their "find music" page as a music search engine.

What's your favorite music site on the Internet? E-mail your top choices at click@semissourian.com.

See you in Cyberspace.

Joni Adams is managing editor of the Southeast Missourian.