StereoMood is a free internet radio music service that offers users a unique way to choose what they listen to. Using mood instead of genre or artist, StereoMood lets users enjoy sounds that suit whatever they are feeling at the moment. StereoMood provides users with a long list of potential mood themes to choose from on the homepage. Users can also search for a different mood, which range from the standard happy and sad to more complex mood themes like “it’s raining,” “lost in thought,” and nostalgic. Users can also create a playlist based on activities or compile a library of their favorite songs.

Visit www.stereomood.com

StereoMood was founded in March of 2009. The StereoMood team consists of designer Eleonora Viviani, web developers Maurizio Pratici and Giovanni Ferron, and front end developer Daniele Novaga. The StereoMood community has grown significantly in its first year, expanding to include 100,000 registered users and 35,000 followers on the popular social networking website, Facebook.

There are other websites that offer a free music listening service. Most of these are general and do not have a theme. Users can use the usual genre, such as rock, rap, or pop, to find songs they like. StereoMood takes a different approach, focusing on the fact that music can really enhance the way we feel. By allowing users to compile a playlist based on mood or activity, StereoMood has created a more effective way to come up with songs that fit the moment.

The StereoMood website uses a unique, attractive design that really works. The background features a colorful image of fruit and other delicious foods on white plates. The viewer gets the idea that it is breakfast time somewhere on StereoMood. The homepage includes a large black space filled with potential moods or activities in various fonts and sizes. Despite the lack of uniformity, the design really works to add flavor and appeal to the homepage. The music player pages are also well organized, displaying album covers, details and sharing tools right on the player box.

Although it might not be visible right away, a small black “Join” link can be found along the top right hand corner of the main homepage menu. The user is taken to the registration form which asks for a username, email address, password, full name, date of birth, gender, and country location. Users are automatically opted into the StereoMood newsletter (which can be undone by un-checking the corresponding box). After checking the terms of participation agreement box, the user can click the Join link and begin using StereoMood.

The service offered by StereoMood is available to anyone for free. There is no cost for creating playlists or listening to existing playlists. The user is given the option to purchase a song they like from the iTunes music store or Amazon through StereoMood. A small shopping cart icon is present to give users the option of buying. Purchasing songs is not a requirement and anyone can listen as much as they like to StereoMood stations without making a single purchase. This is a great approach because many other similar services offer free listening, with the option to buy as well.

Any music lover can appreciate what StereoMood can do for their listening experience. By focusing on mood and activities rather than standard genres, StereoMood has made it possible to find music that fits whatever a user is doing or feeling at the moment.

• Discover new songs that might fit a specific mood
• Change or add tags to songs so they appear on more playlists
• Ban or like songs to help StereoMood come up with a customized playlist
• Purchase tracks from iTunes or Amazon through StereoMood
• Enjoy music from the internets best international music blogs

Visit www.stereomood.com

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