Spotify vs. Pandora

As promised, TheTravTest is back - relaunching alongside Spotify! Spotify is a successful music program that is now available in the United States. There are currently 2 approved methods of joining Spotify: get invited or pay! LifeHacker can tell you more about that. Whether you're in or not, you're probably like the many people wondering how Spotify is any different from Pandora, right?

Spotify and Pandora are similar, yet not. That totally makes sense... not! Pandora plays music similar to something you like and keeps suggesting music it thinks you'll like. Spotify is more like iTunes where you tell it want you want to hear, but everything is free and streaming, not downloaded. Let's say you wanted to listen to something like all of Ari Herstand's music, Spotify can do that. However, if you wanted to listen to Ari's music AND music similar to Ari's music that you may or may not know about, Pandora can do that.

I think it will get down to individual preferences and vary depending on your task. Right now, I'm listening to a Pandora station I created that plays music similar to Ari Herstand, Jay Brannan, Terra Naomi, Ellis, Pink, Alanis Morissette, and Adele (Listen here, if interested) because I just want some background music that I know I'll like. So far, every song it's served me has been great - exactly what I like. If I wanted to hear just Adele like now I do, I'd switch over to Spotify.

One last thing: Spotify has an application so you don't need the website, Pandora does not unless you pay for Pandora One. Since I do most of my work on a personal computer, I prefer having applications. Again, though, this is just a personal preference.

Spotify & Pandora both pass The Trav Test with a B.

 • Category: Products, Music
 • Location: N/A
 • Cost: Free - unless you chose to subscribe!
 • Ease of use: Easy
 • The Trav Test grade: B

Ari Herstand - Clean Up EP

I've never posted a music review to The Trav Test before, but this EP deserves to be mentioned. (Readers: You'll have to let me know if you want to see music reviews or if you'd prefer me to stick to products!)

First, some background information.  Ari is a singer/songwriter originally from the Midwest.  I was introduced to his music by a friend with great musical taste and met him for the first time around 2006.  After quitting his job at Starbucks in 2008 and realizing he could support himself by music alone, he ventured to Los Angeles to further pursue his career.  This EP is Ari's latest release since then.  As of this writing, it's currently #11 on the iTunes Singer/Songwriter chart - and it just came out earlier today!  From the hook of the politically charged "Do Ask, Do Tell" to what could be the story of my life with "Vegas Is My Weakness", you can't pass it up!  Great music from a great guy at a great price!

When you're done loving every second of Clean Up EP and learning the words, you should check out Ari's Whatever It Takes Tour - he's almost definitely coming to a city near you soon!

Clean Up EP by Ari Herstand passes The Trav Test with an A+.

 • Category: Music, iTunes, Art

 • Location: iTunes

 • Cost: $3.96

 • Ease of use: N/A

 • The Trav Test grade: A+