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Pandora
January
2nd, 2006
With all
of the regulations, red tape, and licensing restrictions the RIAA
has leveled against consumers lately it has become increasingly difficult
for me to be excited about music. (Ok that’s an understatement I’m
actually completely disgusted with the whole situation) Lets face it kids
when people are receiving cease-and-desist letters for simply posting lyrics
to music online, what we have is an industry that has far over reached its
moral footing, and stepped on the rights of its listeners. Which is why I
have found it all the more incredible that a service like Pandora
exists.
Pandora straddles a fence between what the RIAA finds acceptable and what the music listening public wants. Based off the long standing Music Genome Project they allow you to create personal “radio stations” that play music that is similar in quality to artists you know you love, along with titles from the artist you request. I have to admit its kind of addicting; as it quickly expands your tastes exposing you to musicians you may never have otherwise listened to. The flash based user interface is both elegant and intuitive, with an iTunes-esque feel to it, and the audio quality is decent, sounding like a 96 or 128 kb stream. Of course you’re given the option to skip over songs that you don’t like, or purchase music you do through either iTunes or Amazon.