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What makes Last.FM so good is they recommend music based on similar users, not similar artists. An artist I frequently use to demonstrate this difference is Han
by robbyking 13y ago
What makes Last.FM so good is they recommend music based on similar users, not similar artists. An artist I frequently use to demonstrate this difference is Hank Williams III. People who are familiar with him knows he plays both neo-traditional country and "hellbilly," so it's difficult to find similar artists.
To generate a Hank III radio station, Pandora analyzes his music, and -- based on similarities in composition and genre ("major key tonality," "traditional country influes") -- creates a station of top 40 pop country songs, which is pretty much the antithesis of Hank III's music.
Last.FM, on the other hand, analyzes the listening habits of other Hank III fans, and correctly assumes someone listening to Hank III radio will not only be a fan of outlaw and traditional country music, but also of bands like the Misfits and Black Flag.