The New Pandora, Or I am A Musical Barbarian

Deleted member 42 · Sep 21, 2011

So the streaming radio station Pandora (http://www.pandora.com) has reinvented itself, so that it's no longer Flash based, but uses HTML 5 (this is very very good; for one thing, it means people who use adaptive technology because they can't see well can use Pandora)

And it's removed the restriction which limited users to 40 free hours of music a month.

Now, I've liked Pandora a long time, but mostly I've been using it via my iPad. With the new announcement today of various improvements, I logged onto the Web site.

I really like it. And there are a bunch of pre-built "Channels".

This is where I discovered I'm an unlettered barbarian regarding music (or just really really old).

Aerosmith and Lynard Skynard are Classic Rock?

Red Hot Chilli Peppers are Alternative?

Anyway, I'm having lots of fun with Pandora.

I like very much that I can stream the music from my iPad through the stereo (via an Airport Express).

Button · Sep 21, 2011

There's been changes? I haven't logged in in days! I've loved it because it has introduced me to a wide range of artists I wouldn't have tried except they popped up as being similar to my other favorites.

*clicks over to see the newness!*

jennontheisland · Sep 21, 2011

Last time I tried, they were still restricted to US users only.

Grooveshark works for the rest of us.

Button · Sep 21, 2011

Shiny! I like that the 40 hour limit was lifted. I rarely reached it only because I was paranoid and would cut it off early just to avoid it.

I don't know how often you listen at a computer or if this happens on iPads, but there's big video ads at times between songs. An easy sacrifice for listening to free music. They had those before but they were pretty klunky.

bettielee · Sep 21, 2011

Welcome to the old folks home, Medi.

Francis Bean Cobaine is 20 years old and REM broke up.

I'm gonna go order some Metamucil and grannie panties.

Deleted member 42 · Sep 21, 2011

bettielee said:
Welcome to the old folks home, Medi.

Francis Bean Cobaine is 20 years old and REM broke up.

I'm gonna go order some Metamucil and grannie panties.

I don't even know who/what those are.

I had to Google.

I'm now being laughed at, gently because I think of Kurt Cobain as that dick Courtney Love dated.

Here's the thing, though. Until I was in my late twenties I lived in rural N.H. No radio reception other than NPR.

And I don't drive so no radio in the car.

And I was in school with people way older than me.

I'm a musical failure, I might as well admit it.

Deleted member 42 · Sep 21, 2011

By the way--I've got Invitations to Google Music's beta; PM me with an email address if you want one.

I'm not seeing the charm, but it doesn't suck, either. No Airplay support for you Mac folk.

Caitlin Black · Sep 21, 2011

Yeah, I would've said Aerosmith was classic rock, and RHCP were alternative.

*shrug*

Can anyone tell me - does Pandora (assuming it's available for Australians) have a "Death Metal" station? I have a hunch that it won't.

Bubastes · Sep 21, 2011

Cliff Face said:
Can anyone tell me - does Pandora (assuming it's available for Australians) have a "Death Metal" station? I have a hunch that it won't.

Yes, it does.

Deleted member 42 · Sep 21, 2011

Cliff Face said:
Can anyone tell me - does Pandora (assuming it's available for Australians) have a "Death Metal" station? I have a hunch that it won't.

It looks like it's only available in the U. S. and parts of Canada.

Lemme check re: death metal.

In terms of the pre-built "Genre" stations, no, no metal at all.

But it looks like lots of users have created their own stations with all sorts of Metal, there are several with "death Metal" in the titles, including specific bands (what the heck is "Fuzzy Metal"????)

Caitlin Black · Sep 21, 2011

Okay, thanks.

(I'm not sure exactly what Fuzzy Metal is, but at a guess I'd say it describes the tones used. Ie. more distortion, less metal.)

Button · Sep 21, 2011

Fuzzy metal is fewer notes and more *grund-gru-gur-gur* noises.

Mr Flibble · Sep 21, 2011

Medievalist said:
I'm a musical failure, I might as well admit it.

Learn the words to Frigging in the Rigging*
You will suddenly have cachet, neh?

* I was once threatened with being thrown off campus because myself and a policeman were trying to remember the words to this song. Loudly. Under the dorm windows of a summerschool of more senior people.

Theee first mate's name was Andy, by Christ he had a dandy....

Bubastes · Sep 21, 2011

Button said:
Fuzzy metal is fewer notes and more *grund-gru-gur-gur* noises.

Oh, Cookie Monster metal! :e2cookie:

adarkfox · Sep 21, 2011

Shineyyy... but still like grooveshark

Priene · Sep 21, 2011

IdiotsRUs said:
Learn the words to Frigging in the Rigging*
You will suddenly have cachet, neh?

Didn't that go something liike

Twas on the good ship Venus
By god you should have seen us

Can't remember how that rhyme went on.

(I know I could google it, but google is a bore and a spoilsport)

Deleted member 42 · Sep 21, 2011

I think the current version of Pandora will do what I had genuine hopes about Apples' [totally lame and horribly embarrassing to Apple cult members] Ping was supposed to do -- make discovering new to you music via your friends -- but didn't.

I have already had one friend who is a Major Fan of NIN give me her ~~syllabus~~ playlist.

Caitlin Black · Sep 22, 2011

Nine Inch Nails are pretty cool.

Although, if you want an eye-opening experience, try listening to Tool when you're stuck in a car with 2 guys who are talking Italian!

BenPanced · Sep 22, 2011

Medievalist said:
This is where I discovered I'm an unlettered barbarian regarding music (or just really really old).

Aerosmith and Lynard Skynard are Classic Rock?

Red Hot Chilli Peppers are Alternative?

Anyway, I'm having lots of fun with Pandora.

I like very much that I can stream the music from my iPad through the stereo (via an Airport Express).

Yeah, the boneheads who program the streaming music channels for Comcast came up with the bright idea of creating a "classic alternative" channel and mashed together stuff like Alphaville, Live, the Sex Pistols, Nirvana, the Cure, and Tori Amos.

I don't get it, neither.

Brutal Mustang · Sep 22, 2011

So far, I'm liking this new Pandora. I think the old version had more ads than regular radio.

Shadow_Ferret · Sep 22, 2011

Medievalist said:
And it's removed the restriction which limited users to 40 free hours of music a month.

Really? I CAN HAZ MY PANDORA BACK?

Because I completely abandoned it when it went to time restrictions.

poetinahat · Sep 22, 2011

:| Can't get Pandora over here. Lousy fershlugginer international copyright laws, I suppose.

When megabands like RHCP or U2 are called "alternative", "indie" or "underground", it makes me think of adults still wearing their school uniforms.

Like Angus Young. :Guitar:

"I hope I die before I get old"... indeed.

poetinahat · Sep 22, 2011

Priene said:
Didn't that go something liike

Twas on the good ship Venus
By god you should have seen us

Can't remember how that rhyme went on.

(I know I could google it, but google is a bore and a spoilsport)

The first mate's name was Cooper
By Christ, 'e was a trooper...
<redacted>

etc.

bettielee · Sep 22, 2011

Medievalist said:
I don't even know who/what those are.

I had to Google.

I'm now being laughed at, gently because I think of Kurt Cobain as that dick Courtney Love dated.

HAHAHAHA! I'm a much bigger fan of Courtney and Hole than Nirvana, so I loved this comment.

The New Pandora, Or I am A Musical Barbarian

Deleted member 42

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