Entertainment For Lively Minds
Spotify
Posted by smudger on 14 November 2011 - 9:24pm.
I was going to download Spotify yesterday evening and was horrified to find out that you can only do so if you have a Facebook account. I don't have a Facebook account and I've no intention of getting one.
Therefore, I'm after suggestions of websites where I can listen to whole tracks/albums in order to better inform my future music purchases. I'd rather it be free but I'm not averse to a subscription if it's value for money.
Many thanks in advance.
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Facebook
I understand your reluctance to use Facebook. It is the absolute pits. However, can't you just sign up purely for Spotify purposes and not use it?
I suspect I can
But as a matter of principle, I'd rather not. It all stinks of Big Brother watching over you, however Spotify dress it up.
I imagine
It was the only way Spotify could guarantee it had a future.
Spotify
They can do pretty much whatever they like as far as I am concerned. Their service has freed me from the need to own shiny pieces of plastic & having to bother to digitize, store, backup and organize them. Remember that Spotty has a social element to it, and you have to have an account to use it. I see no tyranny in linking it to another service. You can at least lock down your Facebook account so it is completely private to you, I don't think you can do that with Spotify.
Possibilities include ....
http://www.we7.com/
needs a subscription to listen to albums in full - around a fiver a month
http://beta.mflow.com/
original was/is free but I've just had an email saying the site is changing soon but no details yet
edit - I have an mflow login but that option seems to have disappeared for new users
to listen to new releases only but free there's
http://music.msn.com/music/listeningbooth/
http://music.aol.com/new-releases-full-cds/#/3
http://music.aol.com/new-releases-full-cds/spinner#/1
I too have no Facebook account!
I had to install
a new Spotify account today. Perfectly straightforward to do it from the UK site without a Facebook account.
the experience
of reading reviews while listening the record in question is for me one of the wonders of the modern age. I'm happy to subscribe.It's saved me a fortune.
Couldn't care less about the facebook stuff: I very rarely use it..
I could be wrong
But my understanding was that in the UK you don't need a linked Facebook account unless you want to share playlists.
Even if I'm incorrect, you might consider setting up a dummy Facebook account purely for this purpose (John Doe and so on). Doesn't take all that long and Spotify is worth it.
Another one to try
Mflow - unlimited streaming and the ability to purchase
Grooveshark
Currently listening to Ten Storey Love Song by the Stone Roses on grooveshark.com
Spotify can do no wrong today of all days
Just been announced they are (finally!) launching here in Australia*. February 2012. Youse Brits don't know how lucky you are.
(NB. I detest The Facebook too due to their shoddy privacy policies so understand your concerns but have a 'shell' account for work purposes without any real info other than my name - sometimes have to contact people to interview and Facebook sometimes the best way to initially get in touch.)
*Yes - there are ways to access Spotify from Australia but it's an ongoing hassle/first world problem.