Muxtape: How Wonderfully Simple | Also Perfect For A First Blog Post

Hello All! This is my first real attempt at writing a blog. Recently I have been thinking a lot about starting a blog with the sole purpose of writing about the things in life and on the web that make me happy. So that's what this blog will be, an intermittent update of the things I find interesting enough to blog about. In this first post I'll share with you how Muxtape has won my ears!

Muxtape, a site that I found through FriendFeed a couple of months ago, (via Paris Lemon as best I can recall) has captured my attention and can't seem to get enough. There are a number of reasons that I keep coming back to Muxtape, but the first is the amazing simplicity. You sign up, upload up to 12 DRM-free songs, and you're done! From that point you can share your Muxtape (mine here), organize it, or browse the home screen for other Muxtapes. When viewing a Muxtape it is apparent that simplicity is the goal with extra large text and simple click-to-play functionality. Although I would venture to guess that the large text and easy UI were decisions made for a more pleasurable iPhone experience, they make the browser experience very appealing as well. Another subtle but great feature is the link below every track "Buy this MP3" which brings you to the Amazon store letting you purchase a DRM-Free version of the track (for keeps!). Muxtape is fast too! With any decent internet connection the songs begin to play almost immediately, no more waiting multiple whole seconds for the song to start!


The real genus of Muxtape though, is the ability to favorite up to 12 Muxtapes. Not only does this feature keep track of a few great tapes, but Muxtape also keeps tab of who has favorited a tape. Letting a listener of a tape see the Muxtape of others who have previously favorited this tape... okay that's a little confusing; basically since the person who favorites a Muxtape probably has similar taste in music to the Muxtape that they are favoriting, a link is forged between the two Muxtapes creating an easy way to brows through similar Muxtapes.

In any case, I have found myself traveling back to Muxtape more often than any other internet radio and I would sum it up for these reasons:

1. When someone can only upload 12 songs & they know that other people can/will listen to their compilation, they will put significant thought into making their Muxtape... Hopefully resulting in something great to listen to.
2. Muxtape is easy to browse. I can always seem to find a tape that I enjoy within a couple seconds and the music is from artists that I have never heard of.
3. I constantly discover new artists on Muxtape. The variety is ridiculous!
4. Once you find a good tape you have no problem stuffing in a hidden tab or window to listen away. (There's nothing to look at. So just listen!)
   
5. "BUY THIS MP3" = DRM-Free, Amazon.com, $.99, still works in iTunes!

Muxtape is by no means perfect, and is still changing weekly, but I love what they have done so far and look forward to many hours of Muxtape!

Read up:
Muxtape Blog
Paris Lemon -- Muxtape Remixed With Cover Flow
Paris Lemon -- Got Your Muxtape and It Changed My Mind