I only dabble in streaming but it has introduced me to new artists I like. I preferred Last.fm but fell out of the habit. I seem to stumble across new music via YouTube or tv/films these days, or word of mouth as you say, still a viable option. I know a lot of people my age who basically stopped listening to new music by their 30s, I have never understood it. I do seek out less new music I suppose but I hope I never close my ears to new stuff. I agree streaming can be like the old radio experience when done right.