Paste Magazine is "one of the fastest growing independently published music magazines in the country" -- and available in print (with CDs and DVDs) in the Zondervan Library. (See the most recent issues on the current periodical shelves.)
The focus is for those who 'prize substance and song craft over fads and manufactured attitude, and appreciate quality music in whatever genre it might inhabit." Paste seems to be predominantly interested in the singer-songwriter genre of music, but there is quite impressive diversity in the breadth of other selections reviewed. I found reviews in genres as wide apart as latino, hip-hop, jazz, blues, punk, downtempo and even a couple on electronic music. If that isn't enough, they also note and review significant re-releases of older well known albums or collections.
One would think that this would be enough work for a music magazine, but Paste also offers a gambit of reviews and articles on film, literature and other aspects of culture. Each issue of the magazine comes with a free sampler CD (with new independent music), or a free DVD sampler (with various short films, videos and trailers). On the odd occasion, you'll get them both! Aside from these extras, I would be surprised to find anyone who could not find something of interest in this magazine.
The breadth of material reviewed in latest issue is fairly staggering. Music reviews and interviews are the focus, but there are several substantial recent film interviews (both independent and mainstream films) as well as an entire section devoted to literature. There are even several reviews of recently released console and/or PC games. If you are reading this and don't have access to the Zondervan Library or can't find Paste on a newstand, the Web site -- www.pastemagazine.com -- has a good variety of reviews and articles available free of charge.
It would not surprise me to see this magazine continue to grow in popularity. The focus on quality (rather than marketing and glitz) is predominant and as long as the reviewers outlook remains balanced (critics need to be aware of their blind areas), it will continue to win new readers. In the words of Homer Simpson, I would give it "ten thumbs up." However, Paste magazine's most important review will be yours.
