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 {{Music 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.

The Music WikiProject maintains a Music Reliable Source Search Engine. The customizable search engine searches for sources that are listed in the WP:MUSICRS list.

Note: While help in expanding this list is welcome, please be cautious and discuss possible additions on the talk page first. Take a look at the project archives for examples of how it has been done in the past; for example, see the discussions about adding The A.V. Club, MusicOMH, and various magazines.

Also be wary of press releases, even in reliable sources. These are examples of self-published sources. They are generally reliable for statements of fact about the artists or recordings themselves, but do not establish notability and should not unduly self-serving (this includes self-descriptors of music genre). Per WP:NEWSORG, this applies to all press releases, even those re-published in reliable sources. Check a news article for promotional wording. If you are unsure, you can run an internet search of a phrase from the article to see if it is published verbatim elsewhere and thus indicating that it is a press release sent out to multiple media outlets.