Over there on the right sidebar, down a ways, right before the ads-- no no, you've gone too far, back up-- there, see that? Where it says "recent tracks"? Yeah, there. Its from a "social networking" website called last.fm. No, I didn't make that a link; you can click on the "recent tracks" chart to link there.

I saw this in someone else's blog and I was intrigued. Basically, you download their software, and it "scrobs" (their word; I've no intention of ever using it again) your computer as you play music, to log and keep track of what songs you play.

Why would you want to do this? Damn if I know, but I thought it was cool.

There are some pretty grave limitations-- like, it only works with a couple of music players: (iTunes yes; Quintessential CD player (click that) and Real, no. But if you want to see what you're listening to, what patterns develop over time, if say 5 years from now you want to see what you were groovin' to the week we invaded Iran, and if like me you are endlessly fascinated with your own behavior, then by all means, download the ap and learn how to use it.

For now though, you can get a first- (well, second-) hand glimpse into what we're listening to here in the APW offices. There are a bunch of charts you can show; I've opted for our 10 most recently played tracks. Of course, its only our most recently played tracks through iTunes, but we've been leaning that way lately.

Beyond the neatness of the self-reporting, though, I find the idea of the "online social network" to be foreign. Yes, I know that all the kids are on MySpace (last count, 100 MILLION of them.) But I guess I'm old fashioned, because my attitude is, when I need to use an online network to socialize, kill me (or, if applicable, help bust me out of prison.)

Be sure to come back often and see what obscure power pop bands, Ryan Adams bootlegs, or 70s burn-out rock we've been playing here at APW. And if you see something interesting on the list and ask real nice, we may even post it as the song of the day. But if you want to socialize, just call us.

Labels: The tunes