You may ask, how would anyone think of spending a morning listening to new-age pianist George Winston and 70's hard-rock band Thin Lizzy? Are there any two artists more dissimilar? (Or less similar?)

I've blogged about my "Never Played" playlist (see the For Starters entry). I often choose this playlist on Album Shuffle when I'm feeling indecisive about what to listen to (usually). So as I began my workday, the melodic strains of Winston's "December" gently wafted into my ears. I found it quite soothing and a fine complement to balance the tasks before me.

Later that morning, as I went to the gym still rocking said playlist, I found myself accompanied by Thin Lizzy's greatest hits. I was not familiar with the band but I did recognize the song "The Boys Are Back In Town". Hard classic FM rock, guitar driven, ass-kickin' music.

Now, since this was a random playlist, what would have happened if Thin Lizzy started rocking during my work and George Winston played during my workout. If I let the music play, I wouldn't have been able to concentrate on my data analysis and I would have fallen asleep during my cardio. But now that I am familiar with each album, I can play them again in an appropriate setting.

No particular songs stood out on either album, but each presents a unique listening experience to cultivate a specific mood. Now I can add Thin Lizzy to an Arena Rock playlist and George Winston to a New Age playlist, increasing the variability of choices available to me within each genre.

Another successful experience in the discovery of new music.