Opening Pandora's Box

Not literally. If I had, we'd all be swimming in demons and Republicans and other assorted weirdness by now. I'm referring to this.

Pandora is a streaming online music service with a twist. Enter an artist or song, and Pandora will play that selection along with others you may like. Granted, it's hit and miss, but you'll probably discover some new stuff that you'll like along with your old favourites.

In my case, I entered "Flogging Molly" as the artist. They're an Irish punk-ish band, blending traditional instruments (tin whistle and bodhran) with electric guitar and screaming vocals. Pandora pulled music from Flogging Molly along with similar artists such as The Pogues and Shane MacGowan and the Popes, but it also pulled artists such as The Mekons, Anti-Flag, and Hamell On Trial. It also pulled an artist that I can only describe as celtic bluegrass - Swingin' Utters.

It's not perfect, mind you. Along with the selections above it pulled Steelheart - apparently an '80's metal band, from the sound - and Guns 'n' Roses. Definately miles away from the artists I mentioned in the previous paragraph, and I'd personally rather be administered a rabid porcupine enema than listen to the unintelligable screeching of Axl Rose.

All in all, not a bad little service - and, provided you can tolerate some audio ads, it's free to use. Definately worth listening to when you're working overtime at five in the morning...