Taking on iTunes Genius

Yesterday, Apple released iTunes 8, which features a nifty new feature called “Genius.” By using fancy algorithms and special analytical tools (ie. MAGIC), Genius builds a playlist based on your listening habits, other people’s listening habits, and various other variables which are probably too complex for me to comprehend. It’s the same concept as last.fm and Pandora (apparently — I’ve never used either).
Always eager to embrace new technology, I decided to give Genius a test run with a variety of songs, ranging from Top 40 hits to cheesy ’80s ballads. The results after the jump…

TEST 1: Hit Top 40 Song
TRACK: “Forever” by Chris Brown

Analysis: I was really hoping Genius would create a veritable potpourri of Top 40 hits worthy of the greatest radio station (God knows I certainly have the mp3s), but instead, the program veered more R&B-centric, and to that end, it fared pretty well. I’m always happy with any Sade, and the inclusion of Res was truly inspired. But excursions into Lil’ Jon and The Three Degrees are regrettable at best. After playing through it, the playlist kind of falls apart towards the end as the four-track run of “Vision of Love,” “When Will I See You Again?”, “Rock Steady,” and “No More Drama” take the experience into adult contemporary land. And while I’m an adult AND contemporary, that’s not what this playlist is about.
Verdict: &diams &diams &frac12 out of five (not terribly smart)

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TEST 2: Trendy, Genre-Busting Song
TRACK: “Paper Planes” by M.I.A.

Analysis: I really didn’t know what to expect with this song as it has currency in both the hip-hop and electronic worlds. It seems like Apple sided with the latter camp, filling out a playlist of mostly electronic and indie tunes. And overall, it’s very strong. There are only two glaring inclusions — “Boom Boom Boom” by The Outhere Brothers and “Together Forever” by Lisette Melendez. Both are dancey trifles from the ’90s which should never see the light of day unless I specifically call upon them. I mean, hey, it’s not that I don’t like the songs, but they in no way mesh AT ALL with the likes of Justice and Daft Punk.
Verdict: &diams &diams &diams out of five (smart, not genius)

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TEST 3: Hip-Hop
TRACK: “In the Ayer” by Flo Rida

Analysis: For what it is, a very well-balanced playlist. We got upbeat songs, some old school tracks, and a few thug ballads. Well played, GENIUS.
Verdict: &diams &diams &diams &diams out of five (brainiac)

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TEST 4: Indie-ish
TRACK: “I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You” by Black Kids

Analysis: Two weeks after I downloaded this track by Black Kids, it became an iTunes free download of the week, which might explain why so many of the songs on this playlist were at one time a free download too (eight of them, to be specific). Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Truth is that these are some of my favorite free offerings from Apple; so hey, it all works out. I actually love this playlist with its blend of indie-leaning rock filled out with eclectic yet appropriate choices such as “Ashes to Ashes” by David Bowie and “Movies” by Alien Ant Farm. The only misstep: the “Rock Star” remix, which, like a Martha Stewart reject, just doesn’t quite fit in.
Verdict: &diams &diams &diams &diams&frac12 out of five (near genius)

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TEST 5: ’80s Challenge!
TRACK: “Neutron Dance” by The Pointer Sisters

Analysis: So it turns out I have quite the passion for ’80s music, which means I take this particular Genius test very seriously. Let’s face it: it’s hard to screw up this sort of challenge, but it can be done. I picked “Neutron Dance” by the Pointer Sisters because, well, no real reason. It was the first one I randomly came upon. The ensuing list, however, was nothing short of fantastic. Now, I realize that it exposes certain embarrassing songs in my library (ahem, “Gloria,” “After All”), but it’s a small price to pay for such a well-composed grouping of songs. Not everything here is a pop trifle. We got ’80s rock, New Wave, instrumental, and the most quintessential ingredient of all: Phil Collins. Played together, it all works beautifully (even if “Walking on Broken Glass” is from the ’90s). Well done, Genius. Well done!
Verdict: &diams &diams &diams &diams &diams out of five (GENIUS!)

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TEST 6: Cheesy Ballads
TRACK: “Make It Real” by The Jets

Analysis: Here’s another softball for Genius to hit a homer with, but unfortunately, we only got a bunt at best. Things start off poorly for this playlist, which immediately launches into Jody Watley at song #2. Listen, there’s nothing wrong with the Jodester, but this is supposed to be a cheesy ballad playlist, not an ode to 1987. Alas, it seems as though Genius hasn’t quite figured out the subtle nuances of cheeseball music. Why else would Danity Kane and Destiny’s Child (let alone Eddie Money) pop up on this list? Cheesy, yes. But appropriate? No. There’s really no rhyme or reason to any of this. Granted, I suppose one can’t expect Genius to hone in on specific genres, and taken as a whole, this playlist might work in a different context, but for what I was looking for, FAIL.
Verdict: &diams out of five (dumb)

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TEST 7: ’90s Music
TRACK: “Celebrity Skin” by Hole

Analysis: Even though it features a few excursions out of the decade, this ’90s playlist is actually pretty solid. It features a nice variety of songs that seem to support the overall sound, tone, and mood of the playlist. Just the way a good album should be, it’s more than just the sum of the parts. GENIUS strikes again!
Verdict: &diams &diams &diams &diams out of five (brainiac)

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TEST 8: Electronic!
TRACK: “DVNO” by Justice

Analysis: Overall, this is a strong, but flawed collection. Once again, “Boom Boom Boom” raises its ugly head (seriously, wtf?) and manages to sully all the “cool” music on display. Also sticking out like a sore thumb is “Feel the Beat” by Darude, a song that was cool in 2001, but now seems gleefully Eurotrashy. Hey, I still like it, but just not in this context. The playlist also would have benefited from the lack of Jem as well as the second Morcheeba tune, “Enjoy the Ride,” which is entirely too lowkey for the playlist. There’s a fine line between eclectic and hodgepodge, and this playlist almost crosses it at times. Still, it’s an overall strong effort.
Verdict: &diams &diams &diams out of five (smart, not genius)

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TEST 9: Classic rock
TRACK: “Rebel Rebel” by David Bowie

Analysis: Classic rock is what I wanted, and classic rock is what I got. “Song #2” by Blur is a strange addition, but aside from that, this is pretty much exactly what the doctor ordered. Huzzah!
Verdict: &diams &diams &diams &diams

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TEST 10: Cheesy Ballads Redux
TRACK: “No One Is To Blame” by Howard Jones

Analysis: I just couldn’t accept that Genius was unable to compose an appropriately cheesy mix of music; so I went back and tried again, this time with “No One Is To Blame” as its source of inspiration. The result? A much, much better outing. Granted, not all of these songs are ballads, but they still somehow work. And hey, who can deny the double dose of Mr. Mister with a dash of Steve Winwood? NOT ME. Consider this genius redeemed!
Verdict: &diams &diams &diams &diams &frac12 out of five (near genius)