Number 1 is extremely slow, and I like so many tracks nobody I know likes. And if I look up similar artists on Spotify I instantly have the ability to listen to music instead of digging through record labels then manually searching for tracks on… I guess YouTube?
Spotify instantly gives you what the record companies paid for the algorithm to give you.
“Digging” isn’t hard. Give it a go.
But it sounds like you’re listed to “tracks” not albums. Frankly that’s your biggest mistake.
If you like lots of tracks other people don’t, you’ll always be struggling against an algorithm trying to feed you 3 minute songs nobody hates.
Listen to albums and every time you follow a rabbit hole you’ll have 40-80 minutes of music to listen to at least once, multiple times if it’s good.
You’ll find albums that are worth listening to as a whole and some you’ll keep tracks in playlists.
Personally I moved from CDs to Spotify to YouTube music, to buying CDs again, soon to have them on Jellyfin.
Once you get into actually listening to albums, 3 or 4 albums from eBay or charity shops are what I’d have paid for a subscription and if I need to take a break I’ve still got my old music and don’t have any more to pay.
You can of course sail the high seas if you’re strapped for cash or want things instantly. I consider the big 3 labels harmful and have only bought second hand copies. I try to buy from independents and smaller labels when I can directly.
The harm of the major labels is pretty big and frankly streaming has become their most harmful tool. I want to avoid supporting that model or supporting the big 3.
I don’t fully agree with your first paragraph. My release radar is always chalk full of new releases by artists I enjoy.
Digging? I’ve given that a go when I was a kid/teen. I don’t have hours to spend aimlessly surfing and finding music like I used to. I just can’t be bothered anymore.
I’m not struggling against an algorithm, quite the opposite actually. I like some music in different languages too andi get good recommendations based on those as well.
I get it, ra ra Spotify bad. But it’s been all right for me.
Number 1 is extremely slow, and I like so many tracks nobody I know likes. And if I look up similar artists on Spotify I instantly have the ability to listen to music instead of digging through record labels then manually searching for tracks on… I guess YouTube?
Spotify instantly gives you what the record companies paid for the algorithm to give you.
“Digging” isn’t hard. Give it a go.
But it sounds like you’re listed to “tracks” not albums. Frankly that’s your biggest mistake.
If you like lots of tracks other people don’t, you’ll always be struggling against an algorithm trying to feed you 3 minute songs nobody hates.
Listen to albums and every time you follow a rabbit hole you’ll have 40-80 minutes of music to listen to at least once, multiple times if it’s good.
You’ll find albums that are worth listening to as a whole and some you’ll keep tracks in playlists.
Personally I moved from CDs to Spotify to YouTube music, to buying CDs again, soon to have them on Jellyfin.
Once you get into actually listening to albums, 3 or 4 albums from eBay or charity shops are what I’d have paid for a subscription and if I need to take a break I’ve still got my old music and don’t have any more to pay.
You can of course sail the high seas if you’re strapped for cash or want things instantly. I consider the big 3 labels harmful and have only bought second hand copies. I try to buy from independents and smaller labels when I can directly.
The harm of the major labels is pretty big and frankly streaming has become their most harmful tool. I want to avoid supporting that model or supporting the big 3.
I don’t fully agree with your first paragraph. My release radar is always chalk full of new releases by artists I enjoy.
Digging? I’ve given that a go when I was a kid/teen. I don’t have hours to spend aimlessly surfing and finding music like I used to. I just can’t be bothered anymore.
I’m not struggling against an algorithm, quite the opposite actually. I like some music in different languages too andi get good recommendations based on those as well.
I get it, ra ra Spotify bad. But it’s been all right for me.
My Spotify library does end up on plexamp