Wikipedia:WikiProject Albums/Sources
The following list consists of recommended sources for expanding articles that primarily or exclusively cover musical topics. This list is merely a collection of suggestions, and other good sources may exist. Many of these sources include reviews or links to reviews that can be used to source critical reception sections in album articles, and to add ratings to the {{Album ratings}} template. This list is not exhaustive: Additional websites and print sources may also be used, provided they meet the criteria at Wikipedia:Reliable sources and WP:MOSALBUM#Critical reception. Specifically, reviews should be written by professional music journalists or DJs, or found within any online or print publication having a (paid or volunteer) editorial and writing staff (which excludes personal blogs), and must be from a source that is independent of the artist, record company, etc.
Note: While help in expanding this list is quite welcome, please be cautious adding in items to the list before discussing it first on the talk page. Take a look into the project archives for examples of how it has been done in the past. For example here, here, or here.
Reliable sources
General
These sources are generally considered reliable for use in music-related topic on Wikipedia. Check the far right column for past discussions on the source, and to see if there are any limitations or warnings on a source's particular use. Please note that the list is largely limited to music-centric sources, but that well-established general sources (i.e. The New York Times, ABC News Radio, or The Atlantic) would generally be considered reliable as well, however there are too many in existence to list them all here.
Publication | Primary focus | Rating system | Country | Website/Archives | Discussions/Limitations | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
About.com | All genres | 5-star scale: | US | Website | 2014 Discussion - Only cite authors approved here. | |
AbsolutePunk | Rock, alternative, indie | Percentage scale: 93% | US | Website | Only use staff reviews. | |
AllHipHop | Hip hop | 10-point scale: 7/10 | US | Website | 2008 Discussion | |
AllMusic | All genres | 5-star scale: | US | Website | 2015 Discussion 2017 Discussion - Biography/reviews prose are reliable, but do not use genre sidebar, as it is generated from a separate source from the prose. | |
Alternative Addiction | Rock, independent | 5-star scale: | US | Website | ||
Alternative Press | Rock | 5-star scale: | US | Website, Archives | 2012 Discussion | |
AltSounds | Rock, independent | 10-point scale: 7.6/10 | International | Website | ||
American Songwriter | Singer-songwriter | 5-star scale: | US | Website | ||
American Theatre | Theater | No formal scale | US | Website, Archives | ||
The A.V. Club | Popular music | Letter grade: B +/– | US | Website | 2009 Discussion | |
Bach | Baroque, Bach compositions | Not applicable | US | Website, Archives, | ||
BBC Music | All genres | No formal scale | UK | Website | Do not use mirrors of Wikipedia | |
BBC Music Magazine | Classical, jazz, world | 5-star scale: | UK | Website, Archives | ||
Blabbermouth.net | Hard rock, heavy metal | 10-point scale: 7.5/10 | US | Website | Exercise caution with any controversial claims, especially for BLP statements, though reviews are acceptable for use in all articles. | |
Big Cheese | Rock, alternative, punk | 10-point scale: 7/10 | UK | Website | ||
Billboard | Popular music | Older (between the early 1970s and mid 2000s): various categories such as "Spotlight", "Recommended", "Pick", "Four Star", "Critics' Choice" and "Vital Reissue", as defined in the reviews key Newer: 5-star scale: , scores out of 100 before 2014 |
US | Website, Magazine archives, Scanned archives. | ||
Blender | Popular music | 5-star scale: | US | Website Archives | ||
Bluegrass Unlimited | Bluegrass, old-time | No formal scale | US | Website | ||
Blurt | Popular music | 5-star scale: | US | Website | ||
The Boombox | Hip hop, R&B | No formal scale | US | Website | ||
The Boston Globe | Popular music | No formal scale | US | Website | ||
Canoe.com | All genres | 5-star scale: | Canada | Website | Portal for Sun Media newspapers in Canada | |
CCM Magazine | Christian – CCM, gospel, rock, heavy metal, hip hop, urban |
5-star scale: , older reviews letter grade: B +/– | US | Website, Achives | ||
Chart/ChartAttack | Rock, alternative, indie, some pop and hip hop | No formal rating system | Canada | Website | ||
Country Weekly | Country | Letter grade B +/– reviews from 2003 to 2012 use a 5-star scale , no formal scale before then. Some online archives of reviews omit the rating designation. |
US | countryweekly |
[8] | |
Chronicles of Chaos | Metal, rock | Ten-point scale: 7.5/10 | Canada/International | Website | ||
Czech Music Quarterly | Classical, particularly Czech classical | No formal rating system | Czech Republic | Website, Archives and Magazine archives | ||
Robert Christgau | Rock, popular music | {{Rating-Christgau}}: C+, or | US | Website | Note: Christgau's articles appear in numerous publications | |
Christianity Today | Christian – all genres | 5-star scale: | US | Website, Archives | ||
Clash | Popular music | 10-point scale: 7/10 | UK | Website, Archives | ||
Classical Music | Classical | Not applicable | UK | Website, Archives | ||
Classical Net | Classical | No formal scale | US | Website | ||
Classical Recordings Quarterly | Classical | No formal scale | US | Website, Archives | ||
Classic Rock | Rock | 10-point scale: 7/10, although the magazine's website omits the review score | UK | Website | 2016 Discussion | |
CMJ | Popular music | No formal scale | US | Website | ||
Cokemachineglow.com | Pop | No formal scale | Unknown | Website | ||
Complex | Hip hop, R&B, pop, electronic, rock | 5-star scale: no formal scale before 2014 |
US | Website | ||
Consequence of Sound | Popular music | Letter grade: B +/– | US | Website | ||
Country Standard Time | Country | No formal scale | US | Website | 2013 Discussion Originally a print magazine from 1995-2009 as well. | |
Crawdaddy! | Rock | No formal scale | US | Website | ||
Dark City | Heavy metal, Gothic music | Russia | Website, Archives | In Russian. | ||
Diapason | Classical, hi-fi recording | France | Website | |||
Decibel | Heavy metal | 10-star scale: | US | Website, Archives | 2015 Discussion | |
DJ Mag | EDM | UK | Website | 2017 Discussion | ||
Down Beat | Jazz, blues, R&B | 5-star scale: , online reviews have no formal scale | US | Website | ||
Drowned in Sound | Rock, independent | 10-point scale: 7/10 | UK | Website | Only use staff reviews | |
Dummy | Electronic music | 10-point scale: 7/10 | UK | Website | ||
Early Music | Early music | Not applicable | UK | Website, JSTOR access | ||
Early Music Today | Early music | Not applicable | UK | Website, Archives | ||
Entertainment Weekly | All genres | Letter grade: B +/– | US | Website | ||
Exclaim! | All genres | 10-point scale: 7/10 or no formal scale | Canada | Website | ||
ExploreMusic | All genres | No formal rating system | Canada | Website | ||
Fact | Popular music | 5-disc scale, 3.5/5 | UK | Website | ||
The Fader | Popular music, folk, experimental | No formal scale | US | Website, Archives | ||
Filter | Popular music | 100-percent scale: 75% | US | Website, Magazine archives | ||
The Fly | Popular music | 5-star scale: | UK | Website, Archives | ||
General Music Today | All genres, classical focus | Not applicable | US | Website, Archives | ||
The Gleaner | Jamaican | Jamaica | Website | |||
Goldmine | All genres | 5-star scale: ; or letter-grade scale for reviews posted on staff blogs | US | Website | ||
Gramophone | Classical | No formal scale | UK | Website, Archives | ||
Le Guide musical | Classical | No formal scale | France and Belgium | WorldCat listing WorldCat listing |
French language publication that ran from 1855 until World War I | |
Harp | Adult album alternative | UK | Website | 2014 Discussion | ||
The Hindu | Indian – all genres | No formal scale | India | Website | ||
Hip Hop Connection | Hip hop | 5-point scale: 4/5 | UK | |||
HipHopDX | Hip hop | 5-star scale: (Converted from X's) | US | Website | ||
HM | Christian – rock, heavy metal | 5-star scale: , some older reviews 10-point scale or no formal scale | US | Website, Archives | ||
The Huffington Post | Popular music | No formal rating scale | US | Website | ||
Idolator | Popular music | 10-star scale: | US | Website | ||
The Independent | All genres | 5-star scale: | UK | Website | ||
InRock | Popular music, primarily rock music | Russia | Website, Archives | In Russian, with option for an English main page. | ||
Les Inrockuptibles | Rock, indie | France | Website, Archives | French language | ||
The Jamaica Observer | Jamaican | Jamaica | Website | |||
Jazz Hot | Jazz | French | Website, Archives | In French. | ||
Jazzed Magazine | Jazz | Not applicable | Website, Magazine archives | |||
Jazz Journal | Jazz | 5-star scale: | UK | Website | ||
Jazz Magazine | Jazz | France | Website, Magazine archives | French language. | ||
Jazzman | Jazz | France | Website, Archives | Defunct since 2009. French language. | ||
JazzTimes | Jazz | No formal scale | US | Website, Archives | ||
Jesus Freak Hideout | Christian - popular music | 5-star scale: | US | Website | Avoid user reviews (distinguished as yellow stars instead of red) | |
Juice | Rock, heavy metal, surf and skate music | No formal scale | US | Website | ||
Kerrang! | Rock, heavy metal | 5-"K" scale, 4/5 | UK | Website | 2009 Discussion | |
Kludge | Popular music, independent | 10-point scale: 7/10 | US | Website | ||
Krugozor | Classical music, popular music | Soviet Union | Website, Archives | Defunct. In Russian. | ||
Latin Beat Magazine | Latin | No formal scale | US | Website, Archives | Multi-language source | |
Limelight | Classical, jazz, pop | 5-star scale: | Australia | Website, Archives | ||
The Line of Best Fit | Popular music | 10-star scale: | UK | Website | ||
Living Blues | Blues | No formal scale | US | Website, Archives | ||
Lost At Sea | All genres | 10-point scale: 7.5/10 | US | Website | ||
Loud and Quiet | Popular music | 10-point scale: 7/10 or no formal scale | UK | Website, Archives | ||
Loudwire | Rock, heavy metal | 5-star scale: | US | Website | 2014 Discussion | |
Magic | Popular music | France | Website, Archives | French language. Many back issue are out of stock. | ||
Magnet | Rock | 10-star scale: | US | Website, Archives | ||
Melodic | Rock, independent | 5-star scale: | International | Website | ||
Le Ménestrel | Classical | No formal scale | France | Archives | French language publication that ran from 1833 until World War II | |
Metal Forces | Heavy metal | 10-point scale: 7/10 | UK | Website Reviews archives | ||
Metal Hammer | Heavy metal | 10-point scale: 7/10 | UK | Website, Archives | 2009 Discussion. Includes Team Rock | |
Metal Storm | Heavy metal | 10-point scale: 7.6/10.0 or
no formal scale |
Estonia | Website | 2011 Discussion - Only staff review from 2009 onward are usable, don't use guest reviews recognizable by a tag, which fail WP:USERG | |
MetalSucks | Heavy metal | 5-point scale: | US | Website | 2015 Discussion. Generally reliable, but don't use overly satirical work, like this. | |
Mixmag | EDM, Synthpop | 5-"headphones" scale | UK | Website, Archives | ||
Mojo | Rock, popular music | 5-star scale (from 2003 onwards): | UK | Website, Archives | 2009 Discussion | |
MTV | Popular music | No formal rating system | US | Website | ||
Musical Opinion | Classical music | No formal scale | UK | Website | ||
The Musical Quarterly | All genres, classical focus | Not applicable | US | Website, JSTOR access | ||
Musical Theatre Magazine | Theater | US | Website | |||
The Musical Times | Classical | Not applicable | UK | JSTOR access | ||
MusicMight | Rock | Not applicable | NZ | Website and Website | Only use content attributed to Garry Sharpe-Young (user Taniwha) | |
MusicOMH | All genres | 5-star scale: or no formal scale | UK | Website | 2009 Discussion | |
Music Times | Popular music | No formal rating system | US | Website | 2016 Discussion | |
NH7 | Indian - Indie, alternative | Letter grade | India | Website | ||
NME | Rock, popular music | Until September 2015: 10-point scale: 7/10 From October 2015 to September 2016: 5-point scale: 4/5 From October 2016: 5-star scale: |
UK | Website, Archives | ||
No Ripcord | Popular music | 10-point scale: 7.5/10 | UK | Website | ||
Noisecreep | Hard rock, heavy metal | No formal rating system | US | Website | ||
Nothing but Hope and Passion | Popular music | No formal scale | Germany | Website | ||
Now | All genres | 5-"N" scale, 4/5 | Canada | Website, Archives | ||
NPR Music | All genres | No formal scale | US | Website | ||
Opera | Opera | No formal scale | UK | Website, Archives | ||
Opera Canada | Opera | Canada | Website, Archives | |||
Opera News | Opera | No formal scale | US | Website, Archives | ||
Opera Now | Opera | No formal scale | UK | Website, Archives | ||
Orchestra | Orchestral music, theater music | No formal scale | Serbia | Website, Archives | ||
Organ | Popular music, especially independent, alternative, and underground music | No formal scale | UK | Website Website (no longer updated) |
||
Paste | Rock | 10-point scale: 7.6/10 | US | Website, Archives | ||
Perfect Sound Forever | Alternative, electronic and experimental music | No formal scale, reviews are only included in overviews of musicians careers | United States | Website | Discussion | |
Pianist | Classical, piano music | 5-point written scale (4 stars) or no formal scale | UK | Website, Website, Archives | ||
Pitchfork | Popular music, independent | 10-point scale: 7.6/10.0 | US | Website | ||
Playlouder | Popular music, independent | 5-point scale: | UK | Reviews archive | ||
PopMatters | Popular music | Older: 10-point scale: 7/10 From May 2015: 10-star scale: |
International | Website | No formal rating for reviews published before 2005 | |
Punk | Punk | US | Website, Archives | |||
Punknews.org | Punk, heavy metal, independent | 5-star scale: | US | Website | Use staff reviews only, recognizable by a tag | |
Q | Popular music | 5-star scale: | UK | Website | 2009 Discussion | |
The Quietus | Popular music | No formal scale | UK | Website | ||
RapReviews.com | Hip hop | 10 point scale: 6/10 | US | Website | ||
Rap-Up | Urban, popular music | No formal scale | US | Website | ||
Record Collector | All genres | Older: no formal scale, then 4-star scale: Newer: 5-star scale: |
UK | Website, Archives | ||
Reggae Report | Reggae, Caribbean, African, hip hop | No formal scale | US | Website, Archives | ||
Renowned for Sound | All genres | 5-star scale: or no formal scale | International | Website | ||
Resident Advisor | Electronic | 5 point scale: 3/5 | Global | Website | ||
Rock & Folk | Rock music | France | Website, Archives | French language | ||
Rock Hard | Heavy metal | 10-point scale: 7.5/10 | Germany | Website, Magazine archives | German language | |
Rock Sound | Rock | 10-point scale: 7/10 | UK | Website, Archives | 2009 Discussion | |
Rock Street Journal | Indian - rock | Letter grade | India | Website | ||
Rolling Stone | Rock, popular music | 5-star scale: | US | Website, Archives | ||
Respect. | Hip hop | No formal rating scale | US | Website | ||
Revolver | Heavy metal | 5-point scale: 3/5 | US | Website, Archives | ||
Roots Archives | Jamaican and Reggae | Not applicable | Website | A discography database | ||
Roughstock | Country | No formal scale | US | Website | ||
SB&O | Band and orchestral music | No formal scale | US | Website, Archives (subscription required) | ||
Select | Popular music | 5-point scale: 4/5 | UK | |||
The Skinny | All genres | 5-star scale: | UK | Website, Archives | ||
Slant Magazine | Popular music | 5-star scale: | US | Website | ||
Sonic Seducer | Dark culture | 10-point scale or no formal scale | Germany | Website, Archives, archive.org Reviews archive | German language. | |
The Source | Hip hop | 5-"microphone" scale | US | Website | ||
Spin | Rock, hip hop, alternative | 10-point scale: 7/10 | US | Website, Archives | 2009 Discussion | |
Spinner | Rock | No formal rating system | US | Website | ||
Sputnikmusic | All genres | 5-point scale: 3.5/5 | US | Website | 2017 Discussion - Use staff and emeritus reviews only, recognizable by tag | |
Sruti | Indian | No formal scale | India | Website | ||
Stylus Magazine | Popular music | Letter grade: B +/- | US | Website | ||
Symphony | Classical music, orchestral music | No formal scale | US | Website, Archive | ||
Taste of Country | Country | 5-star scale ; some old reviews use 10-point scale (7.5/10) | US | Website | ||
This Is Fake DIY | Popular music, indie | 10-point scale: 7/10 | UK | Website Archives | ||
Thrash Hits | Heavy metal | 6-point scale: 4.5/5 | US | Website | 2015 Discussion | |
Triple J | Popular music | No formal scale | Australia | Website | ||
Ultimate Guitar Archive | Rock, heavy metal | 10-point scale: 7/10 | International | Website | Only cite articles written by "UG Team" or any members within its group. | |
Uncut | Popular music | Older: 5-star scale: From April 2012: 10-point scale: 7/10 |
UK | Website | ||
Under the Radar | Indie | 10-star scale: | US | Website, Archives | ||
URB | Electronic, urban | No formal scale | UK | Website | ||
VH1 | Popular music | No formal rating system | US | Website | ||
Vibe | R&B, hip hop | 5-star scale: | US | Website | 2009 Discussion | |
The Wire | Avant-garde, modern classical, jazz, hip hop, electronic | No formal scale | UK | Website | ||
Welsh Music History | Welsh music | Not applicable | UK | Archives | ||
Wondering Sound | All genres | 5-star rating: | US | Website | Reviews before 2014 are unrated. | |
XXL | Hip hop | System based on clothing sizes; scale of small ("S") to extra-extra large ("XXL") | US | Website | ||
Yearbook for Traditional Music | Traditional, traditional dance | Not applicable | UK | Website, JSTOR access |
Aggregates
Metacritic can be used to give an aggregate score of an album's reception. However, avoid citing the review excerpts listed below the aggregate score; instead, seek out the reviews in full and cite them individually. {{Album ratings}} has a |MC=
parameter that can be used to display the aggregate score for an album. When describing the score in prose, be sure to note that the score is an aggregate and how many reviews it is based on. For example:
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 46/100[1] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
The Devil's Rain received mixed reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has an average score of 46 out of 100, which indicates "mixed or average reviews" based on 11 reviews.[1]
- ^ a b "The Devil's Rain – Misfits". Metacritic. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
{{cite web}}
: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=
(help)
Music charts
For information on what charts to use or avoid, see WP:GOODCHARTS and WP:BADCHARTS
Instrument-specific
Note that these publications may not only include information pertinent the instrument or instruments to which they are dedicated, but also news coverage and reviews of performances and recordings featuring those instruments.
Publication | Instrument | Country | Website/Archives | Discussions/Limitations |
---|---|---|---|---|
Acoustic Guitar | Acoustic guitar | US | Website, Archives | |
Bass Guitar | Bass guitar | UK | Website, Archives | |
Bass Player | Bass guitar | US | Website, Archives | |
Bass Quarterly | Bass guitar | Germany | Website, Archives | |
The Clarinet Journal | Clarinet | US | Website, Archives | |
Clarinet & Saxophone | Clarinet and saxophone | UK | Website | |
Clavier Companion | Piano and keyboard | US | Website, Archives | |
Choir & Organ | Voice, organ | UK | Website, Archives | |
CSO Sounds & Stories | Orchestra | US | Website, Archives | |
The Diapason | Organ | US | Website, Archives | |
DRUM! Magazine | Drum kit | US | Website, Archives | |
Electronic Musician | Synthesizer, production equipment | US | Website, Archives | |
Flute Talk | Flute | US | Website, Archives | |
The Flute View | Flute | US | Website, Archives | |
The Flutist Quarterly | Flute | US | Website, Archives | |
Guitarist | Guitar | UK | Website, Archives | |
Guitar Player | Guitar | US | Website, Archives | |
Guitar World | Guitar | US | Website, Archives | |
International Piano | Piano | UK | Website, Archives | |
Journal of the American Viola Society | Viola | US | Website, Archives | |
Keyboard | Keyboard | US | Website, Archives | |
Modern Drummer | Drum kit | US | Website, Archives | |
The Organ | Pipe organ | UK | Website, Archives | |
Pan | Flute | UK | Website | |
Recording | Audio and recording equipment | US | Website | |
Saxophone Life | Saxophone | UK | Website | |
Saxophone Today | Saxophone | US | Website, Archives | |
Sound on Sound | Production and recording equipment | UK | Website, Archives | |
The Strad | String | UK | Website, Archives | |
Strings and Teen Strings | String | US | Website, Archives, | |
Tape Op | Production and recording equipment | US | Website, Archives | |
Vintage Synth Explorer | Synthesizer | US | Website |
Other sources
- Newspapers, periodicals, journals, and other online and print media publications often include coverage of music and its performers, and recordings. They can be excellent sources.
- A physical album's liner notes are generally a good place to find writing and production credits for a personnel section. Some records are also released with additional writing that may be helpful with an article's recording and/or composing section. The album notes can be properly sourced with the {{Cite album-notes}} template.
- As long as the information being contributed is not overly promotional, unduly self-serving or biased, the artist or record label's website may be acceptable sources. These sites often provide detailed information about an artist's discography. However, since many band websites are recreated entirely upon the release of a new studio album, URL's or information may be moved or deleted, and articles are left with the phenomenon known as link rot. To avoid this, try to find a different source with the same information, or web archive of the original source. For assistance with web archiving, see Wikipedia:Using the Wayback Machine.
- Statements given in interviews with an artist, producer, or any other music personnel are reliable for statements about the person themselves and the work they are involved in, such as their band, compositions, etc. However, they are not reliable for statements about other living persons. Any statements about another person should be supported by the individual in question or else a reliable source.
- If the artist in question was subject to any form of recorded audio or video in the possible form of a television documentary or an informational DVD/VHS, this may be an acceptable source of information. To cite information from a source like this, use either {{cite video}} or {{cite episode}}, whichever is most applicable.
- If an artist or recording act has existed for a significant period of time and/or has made a great impact on their scene or music in general, it's likely that someone has written a book on the topic. An easy way to search through books is with a quick Google Books search. Google Books will provide links of several possible locations to obtain a copy, and will sometimes provide select passages of the book for previewing. To cite a book as a source, use the {{cite books}} template.
Non-English sources
- For more, see Wikipedia:Verifiability#Non-English sources
English-language sources are preferred, as this is an English-language encyclopedia and languages other than English are not understood by a large number of readers. However, if few sources exist, those in languages other than English may be included, especially if the language is especially relevant to the subject in question. Sources in any language must meet the above guidelines, including Wikipedia:Reliable sources and WP:ALBUMS#Reception.
Christian music
For sources pertaining primarily or specifically to Christian music of all genres, see Wikipedia:WikiProject Christian music/Sources.
Korean music and k-pop
For sources that deal with South Korean culture, including k-pop and other forms of Korean music, see Wikipedia:WikiProject Korea/Reliable sources.
Latin music
For sources that focuses on Latin music and its subgenres, see Wikipedia:WikiProject Latin music/Resources.
Unreliable sources
There are a number of types of sources to generally avoid using on Wikipedia. Some examples include:
- Per WP:USERG - websites with user-generated content should never be used as sources since they have little or no editorial oversight. This may include other general wiki-style sites such as Wikia, and product-related sites such as 45cat.com, Discogs, Rate Your Music or Last.fm. It is also important to be cautious of websites that publish user-submitted album reviews. For sites such as AbsolutePunk, Sputnikmusic, and Jesus Freak Hideout, be sure to select only the staff-written reviews.
- Self-published sources are generally unacceptable as references on Wikipedia. An artist's social networking site, such as Facebook or Twitter, in addition to personal blogs and forum posts, should largely be avoided. If the information being added from one of these websites is truly notable enough for inclusion, a publication will likely report about it.[1][2]
- Online retailers such as iTunes and Amazon.com should also be avoided. It can be seen as inappropriate to directly link to a site where one can purchase the subject in question. Wikipedia's role should not be used to advance the sale of an album. Generally speaking, all of the information found on online retailers can be found at a number of other sites. Track listings, release dates, record label, album covers and track lengths can all be found at AllMusic. The content and reviews found on online retailers may also be biased in that these sources want you to buy their product.
- AllMusic's genre sidebar should be avoided. Previous discussions at WP:ALBUMS and RSN have evinced that they can be incongruous with the reviewer's prose, which should take precedent over the sidebar (e.g. AllMusic's sidebar classifies Rhythm Killers as "reggae", while the reviewer observes "no reggae in sight"; likewise, AllMusic's sidebar says that Staind includes the post-grunge genre while the reviewer says that the band "no longer sound like post-grungers...").
General
Website | Discussion | Note |
---|---|---|
45cat.com | 2017 discussion | Info is user-submitted/uploaded and fails WP:USERG. |
Amazon.com | 2008 discussion | Amazon's reviews are all user-generated, failing WP:USERG. Retailers in general often have placeholder info or release dates prior to release. |
Audiopinions.net | 2011 discussion | Self-published Wordpress blog. |
Bnrmetal.com | - | - |
Daily Mail | 2017 discussion | Per linked discussion, a general, Wikipedia-wide discussion was held, and it was found unreliable to be used in any content areas. |
Dead Press | 2011 discussion | Incidents of malware and spamming, lack of credentials in writers. |
Discogs | 2017 discussion | Info is user-submitted/uploaded and fails WP:USERG. Album jackets should be sourced directly using the cite AV media template. |
DJBooth | 2010 discussion | No editorial oversight. |
Encyclopaedia Metallum (metal-archives.com) | 2015 discussion | Much of the content is user-generated, editorial review is limited. Fails WP:USERG and WP:RS. |
Epinions | 2006 discussion | WP:USERG, no editorial oversight. |
Firestream.net | - | - |
Grande-rock.com/ | 2012 discussion | Self-published website, no writer credentials. |
Josepvinaixa.com/ | - | Blogger, also called "Ultimate Music" |
Themetalcritic.com/ | - | - |
Metalmusicarchives.com | 2011 discussion | Fails WP:USERG. |
Metal-observer.com | 2009 discussion | Staff/writers lack professional credentials. |
Metalwani.com | - | - |
MetroLyrics | 2016 discussion, 2016 discussion (2) 2017 discussion | Songwriter credits are unreliable; only lyrics that are "locked" (unable to be edited by users) are acceptable as long as the credits are correct (see also WP:SONG#LYRICS) |
MusicMight | 2016 discussion | Any content not attributed to Garry Sharpe-Young (user Taniwha) is unreliable |
The Needle Drop | 2014 discussion, 2017 discussion, 2017 discussion (2) | Reviews by Anthony Fantano are self-published. However, Fantano is reliable if his review was published by a third party. |
Perez Hilton | - | Gossip blogger |
Piero Scaruffi | 2014 discussion | Non-professional, self-published content. Even his books were self-published, and are thus unreliable. |
PopCrush | 2012 discussion | Editors did not find evidence of editorial oversight or writer credentials |
Prog Archives | 2011 discussion | Non-professional review website, fails WP:USERG |
PropertyOfZack.com | 2012 discussion | Relatively new without much in the way of reputation or credentials as of time of review. |
Punknews.org | - | Non-staff reviews |
Rate Your Music | Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Albums/Archive 33#Rate Your Music | - |
RockOnTheNet | Wikipedia:Reliable sources/Noticeboard/Archive 141#rock on the net | - |
Seaoftranquility.org | - | - |
Sputnikmusic | - | User/contributer reviews are unreliable |
Soundofmetal.se | - | - |
Thetunemusic.com | - | - |
Ultimate Guitar Archive | Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Albums/Archive 47#Ultimate Guitar, Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Albums#Ultimate_Guitar | Articles that aren't written by "UG Team" (or any of the team's members) are unreliable. |
UnderTheGunReview.net | Wikipedia:Reliable sources/Noticeboard/Archive 165#Is 'Under The Gun Review' reliable? | |
WhoSampled | Wikipedia:Reliable_sources/Noticeboard/Archive_120#whosampled.com | Fails WP:USERG |
Reviews and ratings which only summarize other reviews and ratings should not be included either:
- Artistdirect's reviews from AllMusic
About.com
The reliability of About.com is debated. Some writers have expertise in music criticism, some do not. Please consult the Table of critics to see if a particular writer is reliable. Do not cite critics that are marked as "No" in the discussion.
See also
- Wikipedia:Advanced source searching
- Wikipedia:WikiProject Albums
- Wikipedia:WikiProject Albums/Article body
- Wikipedia:Identifying reliable sources
- Wikipedia:Offline sources – an essay in support of print media as sources on Wikipedia
- Wikipedia:Citing sources
- Shared Resources#Music – list of reliable offline music sources offered by WikiProject Resource Exchange
Footnotes
- ^ On December 11, 2010 Rise Against tweeted that they were almost finished recording their new album.[1] A day later, Alternative Press and PunkNews.org published this as news citing Rise Against's tweet as their source.[2][3]
- ^ Following the death of their bassist, Paul Gray, heavy metal group Slipknot were unsure if they would continue as a band. A series of tweets from their lead singer Cory Taylor were posted about his feelings on the matter, and published shortly thereafter by Blabbermouth.net, Noisecreep, Gun Shy Assassin and Chart.[4][5][6][7]