We last counted down the Top 200 albums in my iTunes library four years ago. Since that time, the world has literally changed, and my commute has decreased from 1+ hours each way to 25 steps. So, despite the decrease in potential listening time, I figured it was time to take another look, based on number of plays from late 2007 through the morning of January 1, 2022.
The countdown marches on today with the next batch of ten albums that I have listened to the most over the last 15 years, breaking the triple digit total play plateau with three compilations, and music from the 60s, 80s, 90s, and beyond.
#88: Stone Temple Pilots – Purple
iTunes stats: 123 plays
Previous Ranking: 79
A 52% increase in plays for the five of the eleven tracks from this 1994 album, the band’s second.
#88: The Beatles – Abbey Road
iTunes stats: 123 plays
Previous Ranking: 109
Released in 1969, the band’s eleventh studio album, the last completed prior to their breakup, saw an increase of 58 listens to jump 21 spots in the rankings.
#88: Nirvana – MTV Unplugged in New York
iTunes stats: 123 plays
Previous Ranking: 101
A 73% increase in plays over the past four years for seven of the songs from the group’s 1993 MTV Unplugged performance, their first album released following the death of Kurt Cobain.
#87: Patton Oswalt – My Weakness is Strong
iTunes stats: 124 plays
Previous Ranking: 179
A very impressive 92 spot jump for the funnyman’s third comedy album, thanks to an additional 79 plays over the past four years.
#86: Various Artists – The First 1000 Years – Rock
iTunes stats: 126 plays
Previous Ranking: 77
Seven songs, from alternative artists like The Breeders, Everclear, and Jane’s Addiction, added 43 new listens for this MTV sponsored compilation.
#85: Foo Fighters – The Colour and the Shape
iTunes stats: 127 plays
Previous Ranking: 70
A 38% increase for four of the tracks from the band’s second studio album, which I picked up for $5 at Best Buy on Black Friday a number of years after its release.
#83: Oblivion – Sweatpants USA
iTunes stats: 130 plays
Previous Ranking: 120
The final release from the Chicago punk band, featuring one of my former co-workers, more than doubles the total number of listens thanks to contributions from all ten of the album’s songs.
#83: Patton Oswalt – Tragedy Plus Comedy Equals Time
iTunes stats: 130 plays
Previous Ranking: 94
Oswalt’s 2014 comedy special saw a nearly 76% increase over the past four years.
#82: Queen – Queen: Greatest Hits I & II
iTunes stats: 133 plays
Previous Ranking: 44
A scant 7.26% increase in plays for the single track from this album in my collections, due to it dropping off my more recent White Sox victory playlists.
#81: Garbage – Absolute Garbage
iTunes stats: 134 plays
Previous Ranking: 42
A mere nine new plays for this greatest hits package, filled with re-mixes.