Sadly..
American magazines are the lowest on the magazine totem poll. At one point about 5 years ago you would find several great independent titles. Most have folded, including Index which was a New York cult favorite, but towards it's end it was becoming more and more mainstream and boring. That seems to be the trend with American magazines. There is such stiff competition in New York, survival for an independent, undermarket magazine seems impossible. It's interesting that all the greatest titles originated in America and now have been reinvinted in foreign markets to become way better magazines. New York has, V and VMan.. blah! Personally for me the best magazines are foreign independent titles. There are so many different factors that come into play when deciding on favorites. Monthlies are drastically different than bi-monthlies which differ greatly from the ever popular bi-annual. I find that lately I only buy conisitant weekly news titles like New York and The New Yorker. I tend to like British titles like Another, i-D, GQ Style is actually a really great men's title.. Favorite French title: every other issue of French Vogue, Vogue Homme... there are just so many titles that have gone sour... Tank, Dazed, Pop, Purple, Self Service, Crash, Exit, Big.. I think it's important for magazines to revinvent themselves in some capasity.
