Most of us want radio stations that play all of our favorite songs and introduce us to soon-to-be favorites. Discovering these stations is the problem.
Fortunately, the radio horizons have broadened to include outlets other than your local AM or FM. Internet radio stations surge music directly into your PC, providing you with tunes that are personalized to your musical preferences.
Better yet, this ear candy is fast and free, because instead of being mp3s, they are in streaming audio format. Finding the perfect Internet radio player is no easy task though.
With much fortitude and a few free hours, I combed the net in search for the Holy Grail of Internet radio players.
1. Spinner
This is as good as Internet radio gets. With almost 200 "channels," your problem with Spinner many not be finding a station to listen to, but finding just one station to listen to at a time.
Spinner delivers expected favorites like Top Alternative and Heavy Rock, but its shining stars are IndieRockGrrls, Relax Trax, Awesome80s and Teen Scene.
All stations come across in superior sound quality, but not quite CD-like because of the continual, but slight, fuzz.
Add as many selections as you want to your "Favorites" for easy access. A "Now Playing" list of your top 10 favorites lets you know if you would rather be grooving to another station.
2. MusicMatch Radio
MusicMatch Radio provides unparalleled opportunities to personalize your music.
Download the Basic version of MusicMatch Jukebox for free, and you will acquire one of the most versatile digital music players ever.
Although it hosts only 33 standard stations, you can create an infinite number of custom stations. Enter up to five artists to generate an Artist Match station or use Station Match to whip up made-to-order stations blended from your top picks.
The somewhat cloudy sound is as close to CD quality that you will find on an Internet radio player. Remember, you are not listening to Internet radio to hear crystal clear audio, but to enjoy a variety of songs and bands.
3. Radio Free Virgin
Radio Free Virgin supplies its users with over 40 stations of diverse musical stylings but poor sound quality.
Some of the more unique stations include Playboy Lounge, So Indie it Hurts and Rasta Nation; but regulars like Adult Alternative and Pop Shop mollify the mix.
Radio Free Virgin's user-friendly features include an uncluttered design, easy-to-read track information, and a "Buy" button that links to Amazon.com.
While Virgin impressed me with its straightforwardness and fine musical selection, it grated my nerves with its sluggish and constant buffering of songs.
4. Lycos Radio
Listening to Lycos Radio is like your first kiss -- you wait and wait, then once the wait ends, the experience is a total letdown.
After launching Lycos Radio, you will not spend much time listening to its 18 stations. Most of the time you will be staring at the "Tuning In" text, which notifies you that Lycos Radio is attempting to tune into . . . something.
Once the music does miraculously arrive, it is pretty typical stuff accompanied by a steady, irritating static.
With Hip Hop, Tops 40 and Oldies as Lycos' most exhilarating variations, it is likely that you will find more diversity on a transistor radio.
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