The Best Internet Radio Stations of 2012

By Paul Gil, About.com Guide

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11. Pirate Radio Network

Pirate Radio Network offers two different means of listening to their broadcasts: via web tuner or via a downloadable special player. Hundrds of music genres abound here, and you're bound to discover new music that you will like at Pirate Radio Network. For those of you who use a PC: you can even make your own radio station and start broadcasting yourself as an amateur DJ. You will have to install a software package to try this, but it's definitely worth trying if you've ever wanted to DJ.

12. Accuradio

Accuradio is a solid music destination, having proven itself over the years. It outputs high quality sound (for those of you with high-end sound hardware). It is very configurable by genre, artist, even instrument. It has a fabulous selection of radio channels/stations. If you can ignore the large real estate consumed by advertising, Accuradio is a definite top choice for music fans.

13. Last.fm

Social networking is strong at Last.FM: you can connect with other users and trade suggestions and friendly banter. You can vote that you 'love' or 'hate' a particular artist or song. The recommendation will even try to help you choose songs by taking your favorites and extrapolating from there. The service does cost 3 dollars per month, and sometimes it feels like Facebook, but Last.FM is a crowd pleaser. Try it and decide for yourself if you agree with the thousands of users who frequent this site.

14. 977 Music

977 Music is another one of many social networking radio station hubs. There is plenty of visual advertising, so this site has good funding behind it. 11 individual channels are offered. The big appeal is the Facebook-type aspect of this, where you can meet other music fans who share your tastes. While 977 Music is not a standout service, it does have a solid following of users, and was recommended by at least About.com readers to be included in this list.

15. Yahoo! Music

Yahoo! Music used to be one of the kings of Internet radio in 2004-2005. It has lost popularity to other names like Pandora, but Yahoo! is still a darn good destination for music. Users like the streaming video options, along with the information on artists and current events news. Give Yahoo! Music a try for at least 15 minutes as you find a radio station for yourself.

16. Live365

Hundreds of individual radio channels, an immense breadth of music genres, and minimal advertising = a good Internet radio station. The interface is a little cumbersome at first, and it isn't as clean as Rip Rock and other stations, but definitely give Live365 a try.

17. RIPROCK Radio

This is a very stylish single-channel site dedicated to the classic rock FM culture of years past. Rip Rock blends all the recognizable FM classics from the rock genres with new and obscure pieces. Van Halen, Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, The Police, 38 Special, and more. Requests are taken by the email engine, and there is a charming basement-studio flavor to this station. If you are new to Internet radio, but know FM rock radio from your youth, then definitely check out Rip Rock Radio.

18. Radioparadise.com

The Wailin' Jennys, Spoon, Gustavo Santaolalla, Basement Jaxx, Pearl Jam, Norah Jones: these are some of the artists you'll hear played at this listener-supported radio station. Sound quality is controlled by you, (16k to 192k bitrates, to allow for bandwidth restriction on your connection). There are even live DJ's providing commentary and voice interaction, just like an FM or AM radio station. If you like the sounds of Radioparadise, you can support their operations by buying their nifty merchandise.