The Shark Vs. The Jewels (Meditation 3)

Image taken from fluid.pbworks.com & mawdizzle.com

As I sit here trying to find a way to being this blog, I listen to a plethora of James Taylor songs. I am not listening to them on my Ipod, but on an online website called Grooveshark. Grooveshark is an online music search engine, the "Google of music." Grooveshark allows users to search, stream, and upload music for free, which then can be played immediately or added to a playlist.

I have been toying around with Grooveshark for a few days, but I have occasionally switched to give its opponent, Pandora, a shot. Pandora is an automated music recommendation and Internet radio service created by the Music Genome Project. Users enter a song or artist that they enjoy, and the service responds by playing selections that are musically similar. Now, I have continually thought about which service is better and I have come up with an answer: It's neither.

Allow me to explain.

Yes, Grooveshark is easier to use and yes, the music is consistent. With Grooveshark you don't have to worry about hearing music you don't like, you can just listen to what you want, for as long as you want with no interruption. This is where Pandora hits its biggest flaw, there is advertisement every two or three songs. But, maybe this is because its the radio? Of course thats why! Pandora is an internet radio service, and just like any other radio station there are going to be commercials and advertisement. We seem to think just because Pandora and Grooveshark both play music that they are the same thing, when in reality they are not at all.

Grooveshark is a site designed for the user to do all the work and come up with their own playlist of songs they want to hear. While, Pandora is actually doing some work by trying to match and figure out which type of music you like to listen to. I understand why people do not like Pandora, but at least give it credit. I, for one, enjoy Grooveshark a lot more, but I think thats only because I do not necessarily like radio. I have nothing personally against Pandora, I actually think its a very interesting and creative idea. I just feel that this "feud" between Pandora and Grooveshark needs to end because in reality there really is no need for it.

Take a look at this very limbic James Taylor song,

and be sure to take in the beautiful pictures as well.