Before I start complaining:
last.fm is a great service. It let’s me listen to music I like, give some input about my likes and dislikes and also get recommendations for artists I am not yet familiar with but might like. And I will keep using last.fm, sure. (well, until something better comes along I guess).
But after some heavy use over the last weeks it is obvious that the algorithms still need a lot of tweaking.
Some points of issue:
– Why does the program not know what my “loved” tracks are when they come up again? I should not need to “love” them again.
– I often start my program with an artist. Why does last.fm almost always offer the same track to start? More randomness!
– It would be much better if the source album is clear – often a studio album cover is shown but track is obviously live or a record from 1960 shown but the track a remix.
– The free streaming service (last.fm-blog, lifehacker, mashable) but the way to get there is not intuitive enough and should be available through the app, too.
– Why, oh, why am I getting the same tracks again in one sitting, and in the same running order as well. To make me switch channels? Believe me, I did.
– Sometimes the algorithm is a bit too narrow, or does not “learn” enough from my likes and dislikes. If I skip David Lee Roth for the umpteenth time, should the program not be able to guess that I don’t care too much for his music? Even though other bands from that field are liked ones?
Granted, the perfect playlist is one created by me. But the “love” and “hate” buttons suggest a learning curve which I wish would be much better…