Entertainment Weekly's New Classics

[cutout]

Speaking of math, this is why I'm usually impressed with Pandora's algorithms. Over time, it's learned my taste pretty well and always recommends interesting stuff, and as a result I've purchased more music. No more sifting through other people's lists or rolling the dice based on what a critic says.

[dave from knoxville]

I wish I could actually see Pandora's algorithms; I am sure it starts with a "people who like what you like also like this" set-up, but I would be interested in what else gets folded in, specifically whether companies can influence their recommendations.

[cutout]

I dunno about the additional algorithms, but the Music Genome Project used actual human beings to chart things like "gender of lead vocalist, level of distortion on the electric guitar, type of background vocals, etc". 

Full list of attributes -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Music_Genome_Project_attributes

Given their past organic approach, I'd be surprised if Pandora also let record companies influence recommendations, but you never know.

[iAmBaronVonTito]

Pandora does an awful job of getting my tastes right.  I still use it, hoping one day it will all come together, but I have to constantly skip songs.

It's kind of disappointing.

[Bryan]

Alan Partridge talk

I guess you guys are right, but for some reason I totally prefer KMKY.  I don't know why, I just really like it a whole lot more.  And I disagree that it's an easier way into the character, because I watched I'm Alan Partridge before KMKY, and I had no idea who the hell this guy was supposed to be.  The KMKY DVD fixed that right up.  It was a much clearer view into what makes him tick. I would like to go back to "I'm Alan Partridge..." now that I've seen the first series.  I'll defer that I'm Alan Partridge is probably more Best Show Classics appropriate, however.

Don't want to beat this horse TOO much deader, but you're totally right that KMKY provides some key insights into Alan that can deepen your appreciation of the subsequent series. I strongly recommend giving I'm Alan Partridge another try - it's a classic, and bears repeat viewings.

[Shaggy 2 Grote]

You know what doesn't really work for me?  Last.fm.  Sometimes, if I'm away from home, I'll use that radio station function, and I wind up with bands that I don't really like.  Like last week, I typed in "Jucifer" and got all of this Norwegian black metal type stuff.

[Martin]

The last.fm radio feature is very hit-and-miss, I agree. But it can be quite fascinating, if you look for tags and keywords rather than "xxx and similar artists". A while ago I sat around with some friends discussing time travelling (no bongs; don't judge), and we typed in "time" as keyword, and got some very interesting results. Since it's based on what other people are tagging the music with, we got everything from Spiritualized, Aphex Twin and 9 to 5.

[Shaggy 2 Grote]

That's a great idea, Martin (have you finally turned your back on crime?).  I'll give it a try.