Last.fm

have recently found two new internet addictions lately. One is DooYoo of course, and the other is Last FM.

If like me, you love listening to music while you are online, then I recommend you tune into Last FM and become a member.
This isn't just any ordinary radio station, this is a site where you can personalise and create you own radio station to play music by artists you like.

I must admit at first, I found it a little baffling, but after exploring the site it didn't take long to suss out what it was all about and how it works, and now I use it nearly every day!

Registering is easy, just choose a username, password and validate your email address and you're a member!
You then can download the Last FM 'scrobbler' from the site, as 'scrobbling' is the main principal of using Last FM. Once you have done this, then eveytime you go to play some music on your computer, (either via a cd or music stored on your pc via windows media player for example), you will be prompted to sign in to Last FM and the music you are listening to will appear on your profile under 'recently played tracks' . Last FM keeps a record of all the tracks you listen to and produces various lists showing you all the artists you have listened to in order from played first, and also the tracks you listened to by each artist again in order from played first.

The artists are added to your library, and Last FM also suggests artists you may like based on what is in your library. This is a good way to discover new artists and tracks. Or you can search for artists on Last FM and manually add them to your library.
The thing I most like to do is to sign into Last FM and then simply just click on 'play my library' . Random songs from the artists in your library are then played to you, and you may even discover some tracks by your favourite artists which you have never heard before! Information about the artist you are listening to is displayed, with details on career history, along with any news of upcoming appearances or concerts.

If you don't like a particular track you can skip to the next one or use the 'ban' option and it won't appear on your playlist again. You can also 'love; a track, and a little heart will be displayed next to it.
If you prefer, you can search for an artist or particular song and just click play, and listen to individual songs of your choice. I do this sometimes too, but mainly just randomly play my library as I like the element of surprise.

There are also groups you can join on Last FM, which can be for a particular artist or genre of music, and listen to their library. A great idea for people to get together who have similar music tastes. You can also create your own group.
It is easy to search for events, such as concerts and add your name to lists of attendees and read/write reviews.
You can also click on 'neighbours' and this will show you the profiles of members whose music taste is compatible with yours, based on what is in your library. This can be a good way to get to know people with similar music taste as you can give them a 'shout' and send messages via Last FM. You can add them to your friends list, which also tells you when they online and what music they are listening to. It is social networking with a difference! You can even play your friend's library if you wish.
I have made a few friend's from around the world since I joined and have swapped some messages about the artists we have in common, and discussed favourite tracks, concerts etc.

Thousands of tracks are archived on Last FM, with millions of tracks being 'scrobbled' every day. Last FM obviously gain commission from their links on the site to buy the music you are listening to.

Last FM is a great site and I have had no problems finding all the artists I want to listen to, and have also discovered some new ones which have been recommended to me. It is quite fascinating and strangely addictive looking through your lists and stats of artists and tracks, and also your friend's! I have loads of artists in my library from the 60's to present day.

So, if you like music then sign up to Last FM, get scrobbling and make friends around the world. Music truly is a universal language!

*review also appears on DooYoo under same name