The Tribune has posted a list of the Top 50 Magazines, as selected by their writers.
Number one on the list? Wired. Yeah, beats me. Occasionally Wired does do something interesting (the InfoPorn stuff for example) but for the most part, Wired went way down-hill after they went all Mondo 2000 on us.

Some other highlights from the list:

3. The Economist. The no-nonsense font and rigid layout style make it look like a class handout on the first day of an MBA program, but don’t be dismayed. This magazine features the most succinct, globe-encompassing wrap-ups of politics and economics on the market. Even often overlooked cultural features such as book reviews glisten with insight.

20. No Depression. For those who crave that tasty trail mix of traditional country, punk, folk and rock that goes under the moniker alt country or Americana, there is no finer or more thorough source for news, reviews and profiles. We adore the long chewy portraits of the genre’s big names, and the dispatches from concertland.

43. Chicago. It is impossible for a Chicagoan to read an issue and not come away with useful information. This is its first appearance on the Tempo list since The Tribune Company bought this monthly, but you don’t have to take our word it belongs here. It just won a National Magazine Award for general excellence for its mix of probing journalism, clever service stories and darn good restaurant coverage.

I don’t really read magazines much anymore… I can usually get more timely information and even better analysis on-line. But those three above are pretty good print-rags… back in the day, I used to read Spy pretty religiously, and I always have a soft-spot for science mags (New Scientist, Scientific American, and hell, even Discover).

I think Chicago is a bit narcissistic, but hey, I live here, and as far as local trends go, it’s not too bad. Time Out Chicago is coming to town, but Chicago will probably continue to be a better blend of local politics and style, maybe not as much on the nightlife.