come on eileen.net

I rarely rave about a website. I frequent many, but quite honestly few ever blow me away. However, today my sister sent me an invite to thesixtyone and I absolutely love it! If you want to discover new music, this site is for you!

The interface is really simple and clean. First of all, you can listen to all the songs on the site – the entire song! Plus, the player allows you to browse other pages without interrupting the current song you are listening to – genius! While you navigate, you can still see the current song playing on the upper right hand corner.

Any artist can add their music to thesixtyone and there’s plenty for your listening pleasure. The goal is to get the song onto the homepage. Once you’re a user you can “bump” your favorite songs up the list, but it’ll cost you. Just so that it’s not just a popularity contest, each user is given points. You earn points by bumping songs, listening to music that hasn’t made the homepage (called “The Rack”), inviting friends to join, and for sharing music.

Each time you “bump” a song, points are deducted from your user account. Songs on the homepage are typically 5 points. Off the homepage, it’ll be higher. One song I bumped on the “The Rack” cost me 49 points! Bumping a song helps the artist too. As the artist levels up, they can add more songs to the site.

I also like the little pop-ups on the bottom right hand page that sometimes give factoids about the song, or comments from the artist. It kinda feels like VH1’s pop-up videos, but not as obnoxious.

Some songs are free for download (courtesy of the artist), others are available through Amazon.com.
If you’re like me, finding good music is not that easy. There are a few other features on the site that make it interactive, but basically its a site to share a lot of good music. That’s what it’s all about, right?

Thanks again Kerotab!

E

As I mentioned in my last post, Juno was my favorite movie of 2007. But had I seen “Once” in the theater instead of at home (courtesy of Netflix), I may have changed my answer. I wish Tom had viewed it with me, but I waited till he was on a plane to CES thinking it wasn’t his kind of film.

I think I was wrong, because first it’s set in Dublin, a city he wants us to visit on our next international trip. Second, the music is amazing and I think he would’ve been as moved as me.

This early scene gave me the goosebumps and from that point on I knew why so many people loved the film. Yeah, I am a little late on the scene, but for whatever reason Tom & I rarely went to the movies in ‘06-’07.

Of late, we’ve been frequenting our local movie theater. But there’s a smattering of films we just missed over the last couple of years. Quite honestly, with all my TV shows down due to the writer’s strike I’ve had more time to catch up and watch those films.

Now I know what I’ve been missing.

E

It’s a new year, but before I really dive into 2008, I feel I must pause to review a few personal highlights:

• Tom & I are home remodeling-challenged. Does that even make sense? Seriously, If I get a room remodeled in my house I will accomplish what seems like the impossible. But before I knock us down, he CAN change light fixtures and I do well with a paint brush. Crown molding and tile? Well, that’s another story.
• Bathroom remodel vs. Maui Time Share – Time Share won
• Cafe con Leche is a morning ritual – thanks Barcelona!
• The fall season = another weird Jango malady and a vet bill that stings (but she’s worth it)
• The A’s are rebuilding till they get their new stadium – and I’m not a happy fan
• Juno was my favorite movie of 2007
• I love video editing

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Now playing: Sara Bareilles – Love Song
via FoxyTunes