Everyone has the hits. You know, those top 50 songs that get more airplay then we care to experience. But what do you do when you're ready to listen to something new? There are more than a couple ways to find good music to widen your palate and even get you into your local music scene.

1. Smart Internet Radio

Basically a fancier term for any music streaming service that provides you with suggestion. Algorithms designed to produce suggestions for new music based on your previous listening can keep you inside your comfortable genre. While it's not the most innovative tool in the world, it can still spruce up your music player.

2. Attending concerts with friends

Now we get into the fun part. Attending a concert with a friend is good, but try going to see a band you've never listened to — or even better, never heard of. Sure it's hit or miss, but if you end up liking the band, a whole new branch of that trusty smart radio might open up for you. Put some trust in that quirky friend of yours, and go see that band that uses thunder drum on every other song.

3. Read local arts media pages.

Yeah, you won't be listening to Lady Gaga-level acts, but quality is quality, no matter how you package it. Some towns have local magazines, websites and postings on town events sites that focus on independent artists, and you'd be surprised at the little gems you can find that are playing right down the street from you or that have just released an EP.

4. Visit your record store...with a music maniac. (Musomaniac)

Yeah, a musomaniac is a real thing. And going with one to a record store is bound to bring something you'll enjoy. Whether it's an obscure jazz LP or a lost Prince cassette, you're bound to stumble upon something new to call your own. Don't be turned away by the esoteric nature of the local record shop circuit. Go forth and embrace it.

5. Word of Mouth

While it seems ineffective and trite, word of mouth still carries some heft when it comes to discovering good music. Whether it was your parents putting on a record when you were younger or a peer raving about an up-and-coming artist, word of mouth can produce some quality discography for your iTunes library.

Getting together with friends and talking about the music they're listening to, rifling through your parents' vinyl collection and maybe just randomly perusing the local shop are just a few ways to broaden your horizons. You might find yourself liking music you never thought you'd listen to in your lifetime. Hopefully these nifty methods take you to some rad places musically.