Sunday, July 31, 2011

Welcome to America, Spotify!

A long, long time ago I decided I didn’t belong in America. During the last year or so, that fact was drilled into me harder when I would periodically be linked to a new song, only to be told it wasn’t available in my region. What was this mythical creature, “Spotify?” Why wasn’t I allowed to use it? Why did all my favorite bands from other countries have this magnificent interweb thing? Why, oh why, was I left out?! And then the rumors started, the announcement was made, my favorite musicians talked about how they had been invited early, and I began to eagerly wait for when it would be my turn to sign up.

Last week, I was finally sent an invite. I don’t think I’ve ever filled out a registration form so quickly in my life. I’m fairly certain that even my name is spelled wrong. But, I did it! I had a Spotify account! I was in the know! I was part of this new world! I was…I was…way too excited for my own good. But was it worth the wait? Is it worth the hype?

Yes. Yes. A thousand times, yes.

If you know me well at all, you know about my brief relationship with Pandora. For about two days I was completely in lust. I created a bluegrass station for air banjo practice sessions. I had a Lady Gaga/Britney Spears station for treadmill time. I even had this killer Ray LaMontagne station for when I was “studying.” On day, three, though, I heard four Cherryholmes songs in two hours on my bluegrass station, and my LadyG station popped up with some slow-as-molasses Christina Aguilera song whilst I was mid-run on mile three and completely broke my stride. It was like I’d just walked in on my boyfriend with a fleshlight.* I was appalled. I was disgusted. I was done with Pandora forever (or at least for a couple months, until I got bored one day and gave it a 24-hour booty call).

You don’t get any of that with Spotify. If you search Lady Gaga, you’re going to get a list of any Lady Gaga song that exists, including all it’s remixes, karaoke versions and strange covers for those Party City kind of CDs. You can listen to them whenever you want, too…not just when Pandora deems you worthy of listening to that certain song. If you want to listen to it six times in a row, you can. If you want to skip on to a new song after 30 seconds, you won’t get penalized. And in the top right corner is a list of artists who may sound like her for you to also check out. But Spotify doesn’t assume that you must also like those artists and force you to listen to them. Want to listen to Muse’s complete discography? Have at it (if you must). You can even star the ones you like most so you can quickly return to them in the future.

The only thing Spotify asks in return is that you listen to the occasional commercial. But don’t worry. Spotify (so far) doesn’t make you hear about yogurt you have no intention of eating or cars you can’t afford to buy. Spotify only advertises music or its other services. It’s so awesome I don’t even mind hearing about the Premium plans. I’m seriously considering upgrading.

Another great thing about Spotify is that is virtually limitless. While they may advertise mostly pop music and have a top ten list that consists of mostly that, you have a much wide range of music at your disposal. If you want six dozen different versions of “Under The Boardwalk,” including the original by The Drifters and a cover by The Rolling Stones (who knew? Not me.), you’ll find just that. Or, if you’ve wanted to check out “Oh What A Nightmare,” former band of the Avett Brothers, Spotify even has that.

My only complaint about Spotify is pretty basic. Not enough of my friends are currently using it. One of Spotify’s features is the ability to connect it to your Facebook keep track of all your friends’ favorites and playlists. Currently, the free version of Spotify isn’t available to everyone just yet so I only have a handful of friends’ playlists that I can see. Since I love sharing music and exploring the inner workings of my friends’ musical tastes, I feel like I’m sorely missing out. Hopefully, as it becomes more widely available, that will change. I’m telling you friends, it’s worth it.

Now, excuse me while I go listen to ahab’s entire discography and wish upon shooting stars for them to come to America and take me on the road with them. (More on them soon. Promise.)

*Single Guys-No, I don’t currently have a boyfriend. Mom-Please do NOT Google Fleshlight.