Having Last.FM on your Xbox 360 is another reason to never shut Microsoft’s system off. Being able to stream music in addition to all the other things the system can do is a huge plus that definitely adds venerability to an already strong system.
However, the new program isn’t perfect, as there is no option to listen to tunes while playing games. Had this feature been implemented, the end result would have been phenomenal.
Nevertheless, it’s hard to argue with an ability to stream millions of songs straight from your 360, and for free.
For those unfamiliar with the service, Last.FM is no different from many other online music streaming services, such as Pandora that have taken the web by storm over the past few years. It all starts with the user writing an artist or song that they like on the main screen to serve as their “station.†After that, the service will play songs that are similar to that. Just like the radio, the possibilities as to what you will hear are pretty random, but will always stay within the style you initially input.
How intelligent the service can be is what makes it so enjoyable. For instance, if you wrote in a band like Blessid Union of Souls for your station choice, you’d not only get a chance to listen to some of their tunes, but even some by bigger named bands like the Gin Blossoms, Goo Goo Dolls, you’d hear some great sleeper bands like Better Than Ezra and the Pat McGee Band as well. This ability to throw in so many different acts, that all encompass the same style, make it uber easy to fall in love with awesome music you’ve missed over the years
If you’re looking for quality easy listening with very little repetition, this is obviously not a bad situation to be in.
During the music, the screen rotates pictures of the band playing and when that isn’t available, a blank Last.FM screen will hold its course for the duration of the song. It’s not the most aesthetically pleasing thing around, but you won’t be looking at the screen while listening to the music anyway. Other features include a favorite button, which allows you to help the service pick the right type of music for you. For an added fee, three dollars a month, you’ll have access to those songs on a whim, making the service even more attractive. On the other side of things, there’s also a button to avoid a song, giving you more control over what you hear, the more you use the program.
Overall, it’s a music lovers fantasy that makes the 360 an even more well-rounded package.
With a few updates, it can be even better however and become a staple in the 360 experience and much more than a fun add-on.
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