[July 25, 2011] Jonathan Takiff: Subscription streaming services give listeners a peek at new songs Tweet Jul 25, 2011 (Philadelphia Daily News - McClatchy-Tribune News Service via COMTEX) -- Record store listening booths are long gone. But now there's a great alternative for checking out tunes _ the "New Releases" section of streaming subscription music services, where you can enjoy the latest from Mary J. Blige, classic rock icons Yes and Jamaican dancehall king Vybz Kartel, to name just a few. _ NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK: A deluge of media attention has been heaped on the newly U.S.-transplanted streaming service Spotify, already "massive" in Europe. Over there, more than 90 percent of subscribers go for a free, advertiser-supported version which lets you listen (within limits) to specific tracks and trade picks with fellow subscribers via email, Facebook and Twitter. At the moment, freebie subscriptions here are by "invitation only" (good luck) though you can join the party instantly with a $4.99 a month (ad-free) sub, or a premium $9.99 version. The latter adds unlimited access to tracks and full albums on a computer, a streaming music device (Sonos, Logitech Squeezebox Touch and Radio) or the app-loaded mobile device of your choice. Plus you earn the right to store music on a device. While an unlimited number of gizmos can be linked to an account, only one can be accessed at a time. In my test of the $10 version, I found Spotify's user interface and "new releases" section best tuned up for computers and Squeezebox devices. Spotify picks were few on an iPhone and iPad and non-existent on the Sonos. On the upside, Spotify's easy searching by artist's name often pulls up albums by the dozens, plus a 100 track song list that includes the talent's guest appearances and soundtrack work, too. Topping Spotify's "What's New" list while testing it out was the return of the British symph rock band Yes with "Fly From Here" (Frontier Records, B), taking off with a typically grand, 20-minute suite. New singer Benoit David sounds shockingly like original frontman Jon Anderson, though less convoluted in messaging. Also in the Spotify-light _ Mary J. Blige's surprisingly middle-of-the-road ballad "The Living Proof" (Interscope, B) from the motion picture "The Help." (Spotify seems more focused on pushing singles than albums. And amusingly, on the Squeezebox rendering, tapping "Top Tracks" brings up the current hot hundred from Sweden, where Spotify was b(j)orn. The PC hit-list has been "Americanized.") I also Spotified a very summery/sexy sounding set of Jamaican dance hall music from Vybz Kartel "Kingston Story" (Mixpak, B+) and the doofy, but fun electro-hip hop duo LMFAO with "Sorry For Party Rocking" (Interscope, B). They're son and grandson of Motown founder Berry Gordy. The self-titled album by "The Velvet Underground" (circa 1968) was an oddball in Spotify's "new" releases section; Beyonce's "4" (Columbia, B) and Limp Bizkit's gruesome "Gold Cobra" (Interscope, D), the most predictable. _ EASIER PLAYS: At the moment, the seasoned music streaming services Rhapsody and Napster offer way more help and diversity in a listener's casual search for new music. Plus, their ad-free, all-you-can-eat streaming deals start at a mere $5, sans mobile play and social networking. MOG and Rdio services also work in this space, though I've found 'em less appealing. Rhapsody and Napster both lead the new releases' list this week with country dude (and "The Voice" talent show judge) Blake Shelton's amiable "Red River Blue" (Warner Bros., B) and Colbie Caillat's polished girly pop package "All of You" (Universal, B). Using the search tool, Spotify also turned up the Shelton set, though only two singles from Caillat's long player. Napster also steered me straight to the darlin' Australian folk/country singer Kasey Chambers' "Little Bird" (Sugar Hill, A-), to blues rocker George Thorogood (and friends') solid tribute to Chess Records "2120 South Michigan" (Capitol/EMI, B+) and to an all-star "Tribute To Billie Holiday" (Storm Vox, B) with narration by Angela Bassett and cool jazz vocals from Patti Austin, Rickie Lee Jones, Shelby Lynne, Babyface and Esperanza Spaulding. Napster also highlights classical and kids' music titles in its new release collection, categories not found elsewhere. Using the search tool, both Rhapsody and Napster summoned up another fresh album of interest that Spotify could not _ the peachy comeback from a reconstituted NRBQ, "Keep this Love Goin'" (Clang, B+). And Rhapsody alone offered full access to the super lush, big band sounds of the Gerald Wilson Orchestra "Legacy" (Mack Avenue, A-), just spotlighted on NPR, and the Mellencamp/Springsteen-flavored "Avalon" twang rock set from homeboys JD Malone & The Experts (It's About Music.com, B). _____ E-mail Jonathan Takiff at [email protected]. ___ (c) 2011, Philadelphia Daily News. Visit Philadelphia Online, the World Wide Web site of the Philadelphia Daily News, at http://www.philly.com/ Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. _____ TO SUBSCRIBE TO NEWS2USE Items in the News2Use package are not included in your MCT News Service subscription. You can subscribe to the News2Use package or purchase the items a la carte on MCT Direct at www.mctdirect.com. To subscribe, please call Rick DeChantal at Tribune Media Services at (800) 245-6536 or [email protected]. Outside the United States, call Tribune Media Services International at +1-312-222-4444or e-mail [email protected]. 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