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23 January 2008

Last.fm: Technology has finally done me in. I am a maroon: somebody please explain how to get the most out of last.fm.[More:]

I just signed up for an account over there and I'm a bit confused. I can play one song by an artist - or I can play a song by a 'similar artist', but I'm having trouble figuring out how to play more than one song by the same artist. I see people's MeFi profiles with lists of recently played tracks, and many's the user that has a string of songs by the same band.

I probably should know this, but there's a lot of on demand content on the site, right? Or is the purpose of the site mainly to keep track sand build recommendations of stuff you already have via the downloadable app (which i d/l'd)? I've been able listen to whole tracks by some great semi-obscure groups I dig, but then the magic computer box skips to a different artist.

Could someone please hold my hand and walk me through the necessary steps it takes to listen to more than one song by the same musicians?


I'm frustrated. I'm not a total idiot, but this internet fad is giving me a headache. I thought for sure by now the Information Superhighway would've gone the way of the Wacky Wall Walker and the Fleshlight. I think it's almost time I go back to the typewriter and yelling out the window.
I guess I should've poked around a bit more before I posted this. It's not too difficult.

Still, any tips on how to maximize my last.fm experience would still be suggestions that make me all squirmy with happiness inside.
posted by item 23 January | 03:27
I see people's MeFi profiles with lists of recently played tracks, and many's the user that has a string of songs by the same band.

What you're seeing there is people playing music on their own computers (i.e. in iTunes or whatever), and using the Last.fm to keep a record of their listening habits.

I've never really used Last.fm as a platform for actually going to the site and listening to a load of music from one artist, although if you've managed to figure out how to do that easily then that's cool.

But, as you say, the service is only really useful once you've started recording your listening habits using the app.
posted by chrismear 23 January | 06:41
One thing I find really great about last.fm is the "musical neighbour" thing. Once you've got a decent record of your tastes, you can go to the profiles of people who have similar records. Then you see what they listen to that you don't and find interesting new music. It's like a vetted "recommended if you like" feature. Browsing musical neighbors is the only "recommended if you like" feature that has ever produced something that I ended up liking.
posted by crush-onastick 23 January | 07:06
On the topic of music, web and listening, I like fairtilizer. That's where I found that Pars is Burning. Who wants invites?
posted by dabitch 23 January | 07:20
uhm, no, Paris is Burning.
posted by dabitch 23 January | 07:21
I love last.fm very much right now because I was able to make a playlist based on what I was listening to on my iPod when it was hooked up to my computer and now I can listen to music while I'm at work. Streaming through their servers. And I don't have to hook up anything. :)
posted by sperose 23 January | 07:52
I'd like to try it out, dabs.
posted by taz 23 January | 07:59
you got it taz. :)
posted by dabitch 23 January | 08:03
thankee, luv!
posted by taz 23 January | 08:13
Heh. Just browsed to that fairtilizer link at work, and Pig Destroyer came blasting out of my speakers. That was pretty awesome.
posted by misskaz 23 January | 10:03
What's your username at last.fm, item?
posted by iconomy 23 January | 11:51
I'll get back to you once I've fully mastered iTunes.
posted by pieisexactlythree 23 January | 13:13
I'd love an invite, dabitch!
posted by rhapsodie 23 January | 18:38
i can send you one, rhapsodie, if dabs is asleep.
posted by ethylene 23 January | 18:43
It's been sent, four left for me.
posted by ethylene 23 January | 19:54
Woo! Thanks, eth!
posted by rhapsodie 23 January | 23:20
my profile is on last.fm as stacius!
posted by black8 24 January | 01:59
Update on my grandmother || OMG! Pi-pi-pi-pi-pizza!

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