This is Not Your Typical Website. Or Radio Station.

The Music Genome Project has created a sensational website. At least if you are a fanatic of all things music and want nothing more than to get your hands (or maybe, your ears?) on all the music that exists in this universe. The website is Pandora Radio and I cannot get enough.

Pandora Radio is not a typical internet radio station. First, the website allows users to type in an artist or song that they enjoy. That becomes the 'station,' if you will. Pandora, in an almost magical display of intelligence and resourcefulness, begins playing songs and artists that are musically similar to what the user initially provided. While each song is playing, the user can then approve or disapprove the individual song choice and provide Pandora with more fruitful knowledge for upcoming selections. No commercials. No obnoxious, unbearable radio personalities. No turning the dial in a frantic search to find something, anything, decent to fill the air with. Just music you love, and music you are bound to love, continuously playing, for hours and hours. For free. The website has captured my heart.

Need more proof of Pandora's seemingly extraordinary aptitude? When I clicked on "More" underneath the current song it was playing, I was offered the option to ask Pandora, "Why was this song selected?" And Pandora, in its brilliance, responded with, "Based on what you've told us so far, we're playing this track because it features basic rock song structures, a subtle use of vocal harmony, major key tonality, string section beds and a vocal-centric aesthetic." Thank you Pandora, for defining my musical taste in such professional jargon! I now have the ability to impress my fellow music lovers with fancy, expert terms during musical discussions, and a new list of artists and songs that they have never heard of. Thank you Pandora.

http://pandora.com/