Spotify’s main selling point is undeniable. Instant access to almost any song. No need to buy the album. There is no need to fight against illegal downloads. Click to listen.
But the experience is not perfect.
License agreements change hands all the time. Spotify has a huge library, but “huge” is relative. It all depends on what you want to listen to. If you want Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Metallica or the Beatles, you are out of luck. These artists are not listed in the catalog. The library is mobile. Availability depends on the whim of the record company and the artist.
Eclectic tastes suffer most here. Your favorite musician may not be on the platform at all.
Some bands only allow partial playback. You may find some North Mississippi All Stars songs, but the rest are locked. If you haven’t discovered their deep cuts yet, you’re missing out on some great music. Sometimes the disc is almost finished. It’s just missing a song or two. It will be grayed out in the list. When I try to play them, I get a message that says “The artist/label has decided to take this song down.” If you have a file on your computer, you can import it. This makes it difficult to build the perfect playlist.
Next is the price.
Paid services cost money every month. You pay whether you use Spotify or not. Premium service costs about $120 per year. This is enough to buy 10-12 actual albums. Streaming allows you to rent music. you don’t own it.
For many fans, supporting artists is financially important. When you buy an album, the artist gets a bigger cut. Streaming pays less. Lady Gaga only earned $167 for “Poker Face” on Spotify despite nearly a million plays. This is a clear difference.
Spotify certainly has its advantages. It is good to find alternative versions. A search for “Folsom Prison Blues” brings up live recordings and covers by various artists. This reach helps lesser-known artists. It reaches a wider audience.
Unlike Pandora, Spotify allows unlimited skips. Feel free to skip any songs you don’t like. However, playlists are not automatically created based on your preferences. Linking your account to Last.fm helps the service understand your preferences.
This platform also has other features. We haven’t covered everything yet. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of the service. Keep the rhythm steady. Keep tapping the toe. But remember that you are renting an experience.
