Last.fm

[kingdom hoop]

Anyone else a member? Upon a friend's exhortation I signed up the other day. Only the other day though so I don't yet know how worthwhile it is or if it's just another dastardly privacy-invading internet phenomenon.

What it is: you create a profile, it then records all the songs you play in iTunes, and on your iPod when you sync it up with your iTunes. So after a while it becomes obvious what sorts of music you're into;
So then similar artists are recommended to you by the site; your friends can see what you've been listening to; and you're given a list of 'neighbours' - people with similar taste as yourself.

Furthermore, there's a little wikipedia-esque profile on practically all artists, and it lists how many plays they've had overall and the per-song breakdown - so you can see the most popular song when you're checking out a new artist, like say for example, that DJ Shadow's most listened to song is Organ Donor. Also, most songs have little 30-second previews. Finally, there's an event calendar thing where you can check all the upcoming gigs in your area, and like MySpace it lists the upcoming tour-dates on artists' profiles.

As I say, I'm a newcomer so can't fully judge, but I'd say if you've a good few friends on it (or maybe a foot group is possible, not sure) it might be decent. Anyone a fan already who can say more?

[monzo]

I've been on it a fair few months now. It's been great for me in that the 'Recommendations' sections has brought several great bands / artists to my attention - seeing what neighbours are listening to also provides you with a good basis to check unfamiliar bands out.

Certain groups (sub forums) are very worthwhile in checking out too.

That you can chat to people about a forthcoming 'event' (gig / festival) is a nice feature.

My one gripe is that it doesn't always scrobble every song I play.

[superfrank]

I have a profile but I only use to give me an indicator of what I listen to.

http://www.last.fm/user/thelivingmyth

[GavinZac]

http://www.last.fm/user/GavinZac/

Hasn't been hugely helpful as I tend to own a lot of random, random music, so it gives me random and often rubbish recommendations. Still, interesting to see the trends.

[kingdom hoop]

Cheers for that lads. I'll stick with it I'd say - see where it takes me.

Gav if you listen (as you do) to rubbish music obviously it will (as it does) give you rubbish recommendations!

Seriously, Travis as most played!

[GavinZac]

Cheers for that lads. I'll stick with it I'd say - see where it takes me.

Gav if you listen (as you do) to rubbish music obviously it will (as it does) give you rubbish recommendations!

Seriously, Travis as most played!

For a while Travis was the band I had ripped to my PC, hence their huge lead in the most played category. However I think you'll find that they are, in fact, fantastic

[kingdom hoop]

Do they make their own brand of tea at all? Well they should, and name it for themselves.

[GavinZac]

Come on, link us to you so we can judge you too

[superfrank]

Thumbs up Gav for the Hendrix and Bowie in your top 20.

[GavinZac]

Thumbs up Gav for the Hendrix and Bowie in your top 20.

Somewhat counterbalanced in terms of credibility by Kelly Clarkson and the Sugababes

[ForzaWexford]

I just signed up a week ago. It imported my iTunes history for the last 4 or 5 years onto it though, so all the top plays aren't necessarily the faves....just the oldest!

http://www.last.fm/user/ForzaWexford/

Edit: Just looking there. Don't think it counts songs you play on your ipod, just iTunes.

[superfrank]

You can get some software that checks your ipod whenever you sync it.

[thischarmingman]

http://www.last.fm/user/GavinZac/

Hasn't been hugely helpful as I tend to own a lot of random, rubbish music, so it gives me random and often rubbish recommendations.

Fixed.



EDIT: Registered. http://www.last.fm/user/DerryCity

GavinZac- Going for the 'Neo-from-The-Matrix' effect in your picture...?

[kingdom hoop]

Come on, link us to you so we can judge you too

Sorry, only seeing this now. Only fair I suppose. Well, here I am.

I got a new 'puter recently though so it's all a bit anarchic at the moment. And some indescribably unkind person robbed my iPod last week so I've lost all my records for the past three years. Harrumph.

Don't even think of asking me to be your friend by the way.

[GavinZac]

Sorry, only seeing this now. Only fair I suppose. Well, here I am.

I got a new 'puter recently though so it's all a bit anarchic at the moment. And some indescribably unkind person robbed my iPod last week so I've lost all my records for the past three years. Harrumph.

Don't even think of asking me to be your friend by the way.

Do as Last.fm says, and fix your tags!

[kingdom hoop]

Bah! Last fm needs to fix its tags!

I'm pretty happy with it thus far; I got one or two decent recommendations. Probably because I listen to decent music.

Of course the snooping around other people's profiles is, as ever, also great fun. Spotted you were listening to a bit of Christina recently, for example.

[SligoBrewer]

http://www.last.fm/user/ChristopherD/

[kingdom hoop]

Hello Christopher.

Judging by your taste (discerning ears, by the way), may I humbly recommend, that is if you don't already have it, the new Cut Copy album. C'est magnifique!

[GavinZac]

Of course the snooping around other people's profiles is, as ever, also great fun. Spotted you were listening to a bit of Christina recently, for example.

I am beautiful, no matter what they say.

[kingdom hoop]

I thought that was you in the photo, no?

Oh, careful now, don't want to rub you up the wrong way or you might escape from your little bottle. You're bloody loud enough from inside the bottle ya genie ya!