Wired mag has a nice exposé entitled "The Rebirth of Music" that I recommend to folks interested in an overview at how artists have taken back their music and are doing creative things with it.
After an interview with Beck about his creativity in new releases, an interview with the Nettwerk Music Group on marketing new releases wihtout radio play, and the lady who chooses songs for TV (OC and Grey's Anatomy), the mag covers new avenues for music like last.fm, emusic, audionautes, and just about every other thing we've tried around here for the last year to enjoy our music.
It finishes with an interview with the Pitchfork folks.
Next year they'll likely cover the next realm - regional music web sites like bigyawn...
Anyhow, worth a read. I'd post it but it won't be available online for another week or so.