The flash-based free radio signal, anyway.

Everyone out there should check out Pandora, an online radio station that asks you for your favorite tunes and throws out songs by artists you might like. It also provides links to buy the music you hear from Amazon and iTunes.

On my first visit, I entered Old 97's. After giving me the band's "Streets of Where I'm From," which is one of my favorites, I was given, among others, a song by Richmond Fontaine (a great band more people should know about), as well as "They All Come Back For More" by Tommy Womack. Pandora told me: "Based on what you've told us so far, we're playing this track because it features country influences, a subtle use of vocal harmony, mixed acoustic and electric instrumentation, a vocal-centric aesthetic and major key tonality." Aside from omitting the series comma, which is just pleasing, their recommendations are pretty good.

Just to try and get a feel for the site's breadth, I entered The Format to create a new station. First up was The Format's "On the Porch," and then a succession of some solid indie-pop.

Anyway, go there. It's free. Pandora.