“Perfect Mixes Come Automatically”
Note, first off, that the way I organize my MP3′s is that I only copy my favorite songs from an album. So, for example, if I had the “4 Non Blondes” CD, I would obviously only have in my library “What’s Up” and not the 10 other songs. My goal, then, is to make it such that the ipod, on total random, would deliver a hit every time. But the problem is that even if every song is a favorite, 7000+ favorites makes for listening that doesn’t always go well with my current mood.
Intrigued, I gave the itunes ‘genius’ feature a spin today, in theory, with smarts embedded to find great music that goes great together.
Meet Genius Mixes. This new feature searches your iTunes library, finds songs that go great together, and creates multiple mixes you’ll love. All automatically. These mixes are like channels programmed entirely with your music. You may discover songs you never knew you had — and rediscover forgotten favorites.
For your listening pleasure, here is a sampling of what iTunes conjured up under “Chamber Pop”:
Shannonwright – Hinterland
Danielson – Jersey Loverboy
The Decemberists – The Bachelor and the Bride
Andrew Bird – Plasticities
The Arcade Fire – Vampire, Forest Fire
Neutral Milk Hotel – Holland, 1945
She & Him – This Is Not A Test
I should qualify this post by saying that, although the mix was not exactly ‘perfect’ and a bit more varied than I had expected, it still was a bit of fun.