Recently I was turned on to Pandora, a streaming, personalized radio service. It offers a fantastically simple system (which requires no downloads or software besides a browser) and creates personalized radio stations for you. All you have to do is name one song or artist that you like, and - BAM! - you have a radio station that plays music you like. If they play a song that you don’t like, just give it the thumbs down and - POOF! - it fades out, and the next song swoops on in. Best of all, this is just the tip of the iceberg. The site explains how the service works in detail but, put simply, it uses a scientific means to describe songs, using litterally hundereds of aural qualities of each song, and uses what you like to pick more music for your station.

My latest stations (you can make many) started with a single song (red blooded woman). I’ve been totally amazed at all the great music that Pandora has sent my way with just a single clue. Of course, it made a few mistakes along the way. But still. New music that you like whenever you want it. For free. Here are some of the qualities it says I like:

electronica roots
trip hop roots
a female vocal
use of tonal harmonies
melodic part writing
busy synth hat
a tight kick sound
a slow moving bass line
synth heavy arrangements
a highly synthetic sonority
radio friendly stylings
prevalent use of groove
pop rock qualities
electronica influences
a subtle use of vocal counterpoint
a subtle use of vocal harmony
mild rhythmic syncopation
repetitive melodic phrasing
extensive vamping
a vocal-centric aesthetic
a clear focus on recording studio production
minor key tonality
groove based composition
a prominent harpsichord part
subtle use of strings

I am not sure what ‘extensive vamping’ means, but I like the sound of it. Bottom line: give it a try. You won’t regret it.