LastFM

LastFM has several different functions. It has the ability to ‘Scrobble’, where you download a program to your computer and it collects data on what you are listening to, and in dating site fashion, it establishes types of music listeners and you can view your music compatibility with other people. You can also use the application as a radio where it creates a playlist based on tags you input.

All in all, LastFM is a great way to learn of other artists and see your music tastes compared to your friends and others. The ability to love and hate tracks is great, but I did find the LastFM player would loop and replay songs.

Grooveshark

My favourite thing about Grooveshark is the ability to create multiple playlists – like the way you can in iTunes. I use Grooveshark quite often and the majority of the links to tracks work. Its online based, so it doesn’t have the same options as LastFM – but LastFM feels much more community focused, than for purely listening purposes.

blipFM

blipFM lets you become an online DJ. My first impression was that it was essentially a Twitter for music lovers. You’re awarded badges based on criteria about what you play, who likes what you’re playing, and several others. Props are the currency of blipFM – you get props for playing stuff people like and you give props if other play stuff you like.

The ability to give people ‘props’ based on what their playing and add them as a DJ to your music mix are the best things going for blipFM. It has a great community and its members are excellent.

Conclusion

That’s it for my review of the 3 music listening sites I’ve used. You can find me as michabre on any of them. And here’s what’s been on my playlist lately:

• Add Suv(Armand Van Helden Vocal Remix) by Uffie and Pharrel Williams
• I Ran (So Far Away) by Flock of Seagulls
• Give it to me, Baby by Rick James
• Assassin by John Mayer
• Nightcall by Kavinsky