If I were to make a list of my ten "favorite" albums ever and then contrast it with a list of the albums that I listen to the most, chances are the lists would be considerably different. I tend to think the "all time" lists tend to lean to the nostalgic side of reasoning. We don't want to leave out those albums we have loved for a long time but may not listen to with great regularity.

So, my purpose here is list those albums you find yourself listening to the most often. I mean, when you go through your collection to find something to listen to, some strange force guides your hand to that particular disc. It may skip over Sgt. Pepper and pick Ludacris, who knows? Be objective guys! If you listen to a certain contemporary "guilty pleasure" rather than some established classic, fess up and say it. It's much easier to pay lip service to previous opinions and notions, especially your own.

In no particular order, here are the albums that always nag me to play them:

-Pavement, Wowee Zowee.
No clue why. Their strangest album for sure, and it's not altogether cohesive. But it calls my name nearly every day.

-Sonic Youth, Daydream Nation
I used to hate Sonic Youth. Now I love them. I think this album finds itself in my stereo so much because it's useful for many different moods. You can rock out, zone out to the distortion, and sing along with some catchy stuff. And also look hip and arty around your friends.

-3rd disc of James Brown Star Time! box
Rhythms are naturally alluring. These are hard-ass rhythms and I always listen to them, even if its not really an album as a whole. Just thinking about Mother Popcorn makes me want to put it in.

-I Can Hear the Heart Beating..., Yo la Tengo
This is actually a personal favorite that I listen to all the time. That explains that.

-The Very Best of Jackie Wilson, Jackie Wilson
Were I to number this list, this would most likely be number one. Not an album, no, but I get the urge to hear this more than anything else I own. The fact that it has my favorite song ever -the last one- helps that notion.

-Pretzel Logic, Steely Dan
Not a favorite of mine. Their humor often annoys me. But I listen to the god damn thing more than what's healthy.

-first disc of 69 Love Songs, Magnetic Fields
I have listened to this twice a week since I bought it. Without fail. Not sure why.

-Dixie Chicks albums
I swear to God I never remember putting these albums in my stereo, but every time I wake up in the morning, there they are. Creepy. I know all the songs by heart too. Creepier.


I want to see your guys' lists now. Or, at least I want to know if there are in fact any differences between your two lists. I could be blowing smoke.

I don't overplay my favorite albums, or at least I already have, so, unless I need to be able to play it in my head note by note, it's probably going to get passed over for something I like less. It's especially true of my favorite records from this year, where I've likely listened to Antony & The Johnsons a lot less than Bloc Party, a group I enjoy but can't take particularly seriously.

A few I like, but don't love, and listen to ad nauseum:

Bonnie "Prince" Billy, I See a Darkness
A beautiful album, but Will Oldham's never grabbed me like Tom Waits, Elliott Smith or Leonard Cohen. I enjoy his work, though.

The Verve, This Is Music: The Singles, '92-'98
Not a proper album, of course, but it's a pretty entertaining hour.

The Angels of Light, New Mother
I can't stand Gira as a human being — a sexually disturbed one at that — but the music is angelic. Helluva live band, too.

Plaid, Restproof Clockwork
My favorite release in '98. Pretty, pleasant, a good time.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, The Boatman's Call
It might crack my top 20 if I had to make a list. But I doubt it'd enter my mind if you asked me to make one on the spot, seeing as how it's greatly overshadowed by Abbatoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus.

Nice thread sancho. There has been a real shortage of quality new topics lately.

As with you SP, James Brown is pretty commmon, as is a lot of r&b and soul music.

I think the two artists that get played the most in my apartment are Otis Redding and the Four Tops.

The Brown Album by the Band may be the single album I have listened to the most.

I also find that I listen to cds of a few local bands as much as anything in my collection. I think that two cds by phoenix bands are the only two cds that have accompanied me on every road trip of the last 3 years.

Lastly, Lambchop's 'Is A Woman.' If the Brown Album has any competition for my most played album, it is probably this. This album seems to fit no matter when I play it. Quite possibly my favorite album by a band that is still together, in addition to being one the most played.

Also the Cure, because my wife is obsessed.

Can't believe I forgot Ziggy Stardust. This is definately the album I have listened to the most. Mainly because it was the only tape I had in my first car, but also because it always sounds good and never gets old.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: keylimetrev,

In no particular order...

Amnesiac - Radiohead: Although OK Computer is in my top ten of all time records I can't stop listening Amnesiac. Its haunting, engaging and extremely affecting. Its hard to get the bumping electro soundscape out of your mind.

Antics - Interpol: Turn on the Bright lights is one of my favorites of the new millineum, but I am constantly listening to Antics. Narc, Evil, Next Exit, Slow Hands, C'Mere, etc. I just can't stop listening to the dark pop songs!

Violent Femmes - s/t: Their debut album is one of my favorite albums of all time that I can't stop listening to. Too many good songs.

Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots - The Flaming Lips: The Soft Bulletin is one of my favorite records of all time but I can't stop listening to Yoshimi. You got to love the concept records.

The Blue Album/Weezer - Weezer: This is one of those records from high school that I can't stop listening to. Its a damn good record that's not one of my all timers but its just too damn happy and infectous.

These are my habitual choices not necessarily in order:
Buddy Miller-Poison Love: Every song a polished gem
Dandy Warhols-13 Tales from Urban Bohemia: Great artists steal.
Gypsy Kings - Mosaique: Almost too much beauty packed into one disc. Great when driving alone.
Jim Carroll-Catholic Boy: Brings me back to the day.
Massive Attack-Mezzanine: I don’t know why
Van Morrison - Moondance:
Pete Townsend and Ronnie Lane - Rough Mix: My most stolen. I think I’ve bought this one more than any other
Wilco- Being there (disc 1) I just love the way these tunes progress and complement each other
Radiohead - The Bends: Angry dark stuff. I love it.
Gorillaz - Demon Days The newest I have, still resolving it...

I think this is a great thread. I actually have quite a few, but I'll limit this to 5 or 6.

Weezer - "The "Blue Album" This one hit while I was in high school and it remains my favorite by them.

Cake - "Prolonging the Magic" I can absolutely listen to this at any moment.

Postal Service - "Give Up" This is my most recent of this list, but it has already turned into a "comfort" disc.

Jack Johnson - "On and On" This is what I put on when I don't know what I want to listen to.

Fountains of Wayne - "Welcome Interstate Managers" This one just makes me smile.

quote:

This is what I put on when I don't know what I want to listen to.

PRG you have hit the nail on the head with that comment. I reakon that is the exact reason we play these albums we are listing here.

Mine are:

Josh Rouse - 1972
Miles Davis - Kind of Blue
Weezer - Pinkerton
Beatles - Blue, disk one.
DJ Shadow - Private Press

Great topic. I'll have to think on it some, but one that I've mentioned repeatedly on these forums is Echo and The Bunnymen's What Are You Going To Do With Your Life?. Also:

Scud Mountain Boys: Massachusetts
Fountains of Wayne: Welcome Interstate Managers
Lloyd Cole: Lloyd Cole

Again?

The Undertones
The Vibrators Pure Mania
The Feelies Time For a Witness
Stiff Little Fingers Inflammable Material
Wire Pink Flag
About 8,000,000 More Already!

Albums I turn to by default

Hawkwind - Space Ritual (the mother of all head-music albums)
Grateful Dead - Workingman's Dead
The Trashmen - Surfin' Bird
Can - Soon Over Babaluma
Pink Floyd - More (side 1)
Screaming Trees - Dust
Songs of Leonard Cohen
Skip James - Complete Early Recordings (something about the guitar playing and "Devil Got My Woman" is weirdly screwed up)
High on Fire - Surrounded By Thieves
Syd Barrett - Barrett
Louis Armstrong - Plays WC Handy

These are the albums I seem to consistently go to when I don't have anything specific I want to listen to at the moment (some new, some old):

New Adventures in Hi-Fi - REM (Always satisfies)
Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain - Pavement and Purple - Stone Temple Pilots (these last two were both played incessantly in my car as two sides of a tape I put together during a time of stress in my life)
Moondance - Van Morrison (for mellow moods)
Kind of Blue - Miles Davis (more of the same)
Blue Train - John Coltrane (and even more of the same)
The Bends - Radiohead (great songs, great guitar)
Gimme Fiction - Spoon (this works great during my evening commute)
Guero - Beck (ditto)
By The Way - Red Hot Chili Peppers (this is way underrated, John Frusciante is amazing on guitar)
The Battle of Los Angles or S/T - Rage Against the Machine (when I need to get jump started, particularly great for exercising)
Back in Black - AC/DC (classic, has never grown tired)
Who's Next - The Who (while I can't say The Who are underrated, I don't think they've received as much credit as they deserved)
Achtung Baby - U2 (often played while I was dating my wife - and after)
Vanilla Sky Soundtrack (works great in the background)
Siamese Dream - Smashing Pumpkins (epic guitar work)
Led Zeppelin (any of the four discs in the remastered box set - any Zeppelin is good)
The Fat of the Land - Prodigy (sounds incredible turned up loud on a good sound system, envelopes you in sound)
Surfer Rosa/Come on Pilgrim - Pixies (Black Francis is incredible)
Live 1980/86 - Joe Jackson (great music to pick you up)
Live From Mars - Ben Harper (great talent)
Beautiful Girls Soundtrack (puts out a nice vibe, seems to work better in the fall/winter)
Get Behind Me Satan - White Stripes (every new release they do becomes my new favorite)
Endtroducing - DJ Shadow (works whenever)

All right, I'll stop at around 25.

Often get nagged by these albums or approximate albums to be replayed.

Blood on the Tracks Bob Dylan Probably my most replayed album.

The Big Come Up Black Keys Even though I like Rubber Factory better, this is the one that gets the most player play.

Gas Food Lodging Green On Red I keep hearing new things with every spin.

The Bam Balam Explosion Vol 2 v/a Spanish comp of '90s Australian power pop, can I wear this cd out even more?

Singles soundtrack Fun toe-tapping tunes.

Donnie Darko soundtrack I'm talking only about the 2 cd UK set, nice music to brood & think to.

Whatever Aimee Mann Damn, now I feel the need for this album...again.

Countdown To Ecstasy & Can't Buy a Thrill Steely Dan Anytime of the day music.

Any album by Fela Kuti or any Afro-funk v/a compilation.

I just found this, but it is a great topic:
Beck – Midnite Vultures. This one doesn’t seem to be an album that a lot of people like by Beck, but I love it. Although I would put Odelay in my best of the 90s and Sea Change in my best of 00s, I just love the life that gushes through this album. It was nominated for album of the year at the Grammys the same year Kid A was and it might go against my screen name to say this, but I like Vultures just a little bit more...

Kings of Leon – Aha Shake Heartbreak. Another one that isn’t a favorite here but I really like this album too. It’s catchy, melodic and very infectious, although it was near the very bottom of my best 2005 list, I do listen to it a lot.

Nirvana – Unplugged in New York. This may be a bit out there, but I think this is their best album, yes I think it’s better than Nevermind. I just love “The Man Who Sold the World;” Kurt Cobain’s voice never sounded better.

The White Stripes – De Stijl. I love the flow, song order and overall feel to this album. I like it just as much as their best album, Elephant.

Buena Vista Social Club – Buena Vista Social Club. This is just such a musical treasure. Although it is one of my best of 90s, I always go to this album when I want some great laid-back music.

I have to agree with whoever said Aimme Mann. There's something very listenable about her albums (at least Bachelor No. 2 and Magnolia), and usually when I am in the mood for nothing, she can do the trick.

Paul Simon - Graceland - I think it's because of how beautiful this album is that makes me go back to it over and over, although i wouldn't consider it one of my favorites. I also love how unpredictable it is. For example, if some other artist had come up with melody and lyrics as beautiful as Graceland, they probably would have made the rhythm section as unobtrusive as possible, but Paul makes it almost sound punk.

Joni Mitchell - Anything (Blue, Hejira and Ladies of the Canyon especially) - No explanation needed. I can always listen to her. Although only Blue is one of my favorites, the rest are right on the cusp.

Radiohead - The Bends - The first Radiohead album i bought, but it was my least listened to until this month. For some reason I can't stop listening to it this month, maybe it's something in the air.

Janet Jackson - The Velvet Rope - I think this album is so incredibly underrated. I downloaded it once cause i wanted to hear "got til it's gone" (Joni Mitchell cameo), but I've been surprised at how much I've listened to it. It's honest and sad, catchy, beautiful, and given much less credit that i think it deserves.

Edit: and of course, The Magnetic Fields, anything from Holiday on.