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Top 200 Albums – #51 – 60

itunes_imageNearly 4 years ago, we first counted down the Top 200 albums in my iTunes library. Since that time, I’ve successfully managed to migrate my music collection to a new PC with the stats intact. So, I figured it was time to take another look, based on number of plays from late 2007 through January 1, 2018.

We finish off the first 3 quarters with the next batch of 10 albums ranked between #51 and 60, including 4 studio recordings, 3 compilations, 2 greatest hits collectoins, and 1 live performance.

#60: P.O.D. – Satellite
iTunes stats: 102 plays
Previous Ranking: 29

2 tunes, and former White Sox closer Bobby Jenks, are responsible for this total.

#59: Garbage – Not Your Kind Of People
iTunes stats: 103 plays
Previous Ranking: 59

48 additional plays over the past 3 years gives this album the exact same ranking.

#58: Poison – Swallow This Live
iTunes stats: 105 plays
Previous Ranking: 38

The first CD I ever owned, which I received for Christmas in December of 1991, makes the list thanks to 8 tracks from the double album.

#57: Pearl Jam – Vs.
iTunes stats: 106 plays
Previous Ranking: 40

Pearl Jam’s second album, which I purchased as a midnight release at the record store in Purdue West whose name escapes me, makes the list thanks to 7 tunes.

#56: Van Halen – The Best Of Both Worlds
iTunes stats: 107 plays
Previous Ranking: 68

This greatest hits compilation makes the list thanks to 8 tracks, split between David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar.

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20 Ks 20 Years Later

20 years ago today, a young rookie pitcher, making just his fifth major league appearance, would cement his place in Cubs lore and make history.  Rookie Kerry Wood took the mound against the Houston Astros on a Wednesday afternoon and, while giving up only a single hit, he struck out 20 batters, tying Roger Clemens’ record.

Of course, Wood spent the rest of his career trying to live up to the promise of this start.  An elbow injury near the end of the season led to Tommy John surgery, which cost him all of the 1999 season.  Wood came back in 2000, but never was able to stay healthy enough to truly fulfill the promise he showed that rainy Wednesday afternoon.  2003 was his best season, and his last full year as a starter, as injuries forced him to move to the bullpen for good starting in 2006.

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FB4: Week 13

A vaguely successful week, coming in 248 steps over my goal.  Things got off to a slow start on Sunday, falling just short of 5200 steps.  Monday was an improvement, but still fell 74 steps short of my goal.  Tuesday was the highlight of the week, coming in at nearly 8500 steps, thanks to a post-work trip to Naperville for a book event with Gillian Flynn and Patton Oswalt.  Wednesday just barely surpassed 7100 steps, despite a post-work trip to Lisle for a singing performance.  Thursday again just managed to surpass 7000 steps.  Friday almost got to 7200 steps.  Saturday surpassed 8200 steps, thanks to a trip to Gameworks with Daryl and Hayley.

Total steps: 49,248

Total steps: 7035.4

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Top 200 Albums – #60 – 70

itunes_imageNearly 4 years ago, we first counted down the Top 200 albums in my iTunes library. Since that time, I’ve successfully managed to migrate my music collection to a new PC with the stats intact. So, I figured it was time to take another look, based on number of plays from late 2007 through January 1, 2018.

We continue with the next batch of 10 albums ranked between #60 and 70, including 3 studio recordings, 2 compilations, 2 comedy albums, 1 greatest hits collection, 1 soundtrack, and 1 live performance.

#70: Foo Fighters – The Colour And The Shape
iTunes stats: 92 plays
Previous Ranking: 54

Many years ago, a few years after the album had been released, I picked this up for $5 at Best Buy on Black Friday. Since that time, 4 tracks have made up this total.

#68: The Beatles – Magic Mystery Tour
iTunes stats: 95 plays
Previous Ranking: 42

6 tracks make up the total for this remastered album.

#68: Sam Kinison – Have You Seen Me Lately
iTunes stats: 95 plays
Previous Ranking: 120

The seminal comedy album from Sam Kinison uses his standup routine and a twisted remake of Wild Thing to chart this high.

#66: Various Artists – Millennium Hip-Hop Party Vol. 2
iTunes stats: 98 plays
Previous Ranking: 65

7 tracks, from artists like Coolio, Naughty By Nature, and Paperboy, make up the total for this turn-of-the-century compilation.

#66: Snoop Dogg – Doggystyle
iTunes stats: 98 plays
Previous Ranking: 50

Snoop Dogg’s debut album uses 5 songs to make up this total.

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FB4: Week 12

A good week, thanks to the end of my weekend in New York.  Things got off to a great start on Sunday, thanks to a trip to the Lyric Theatre to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, followed by a trip out to Queens to a hotel closer to the airport.  At the end of the day, I ended up with 14,219 steps.  An early morning flight on Monday, followed by a dead battery back in Chicago, led to a 7500 step day.  Tuesday was a down day, as I returned to work for PI planning and spent the entire day stuck in one room, garnering only 5200 steps.  Day 2 of PI planning worked out a little better, as I managed to surpass my goal by nearly 700 steps.  Thursday fell one step short of 8300.  Friday was another winner, coming in over 9100 steps.  Saturday was a downer, falling to under 4500 steps.

Total steps: 56,524

Daily average: 8074.9

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Top 200 Albums – #71 – 79

itunes_imageNearly 4 years ago, we first counted down the Top 200 albums in my iTunes library. Since that time, I’ve successfully managed to migrate my music collection to a new PC with the stats intact. So, I figured it was time to take another look, based on number of plays from late 2007 through January 1, 2018.

We continue with the next batch of 10 albums ranked between #71 and 79, including 5 studio recordings, 2 compilations, 2 movie soundtracks, and 1 live performance.

#79: The Lonely Island – Turtleneck & Chain
iTunes stats: 81 plays
Previous Ranking: 77

The second album from the SNL digital short maestros make the list thanks to 4 different tracks.

#79: Stone Temple Pilots – Purple
iTunes stats: 81 plays
Previous Ranking: 120

5 tracks from the sophomore album from STP make up this total.

#77: Various Artists – The First 1000 Years – Rock
iTunes stats: 83 plays
Previous Ranking: 68

7 songs, from artists like The Breeders, Everclear, and Jane’s Addiction, make up the total for this MTV sponsored compilation.

#77: John Morris – Clue (Original Motion Picture Score)
iTunes stats: 83 plays
Previous Ranking: N/A

A strong debut for the score from one of my favorite movies.

#76: Various Artists – Poplife
iTunes stats: 84 plays
Previous Ranking: 127

10 different tracks, from artists like Crash Test Dummies, Meredith Brooks, and Fine Young Cannibals, make up the total for this compilation album.

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FB4: Week 11

My second highest weekly total of the year so far, thanks to a weekend trip to New York to see Angelina.  Things got off to a slow start on Sunday, as I came in just below 5000 steps.  Monday’s trip to Wrigley Field for the home opener was called off due to snow, which left me just over 5500 steps.  I returned to work on Tuesday and scored my first day over goal, coming in just over 7200 steps.  Wednesday brought me in close to 8000 steps, before Thursday fell back down to under 5900.  Things picked up on Friday, as Danny, Michael, and I flew to New York.  A trip to the suburbs followed by a train ride to our Midtown hotel racked up nearly 9200 steps.  Saturday was a glorious day, as I set a new high mark with 27,470 steps, thanks to trips to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, the Museum of the City of New York, Central Park, the Guggenheim museum, and the Empire State Building.

Total steps: 68,279

Daily average: 9754.1

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Top 200 Albums – #79 – 90

itunes_imageNearly 4 years ago, we first counted down the Top 200 albums in my iTunes library. Since that time, I’ve successfully managed to migrate my music collection to a new PC with the stats intact. So, I figured it was time to take another look, based on number of plays from late 2007 through January 1, 2018.

We continue up the second half with the next batch of 10 albums ranked between #79 and 90, including 4 studio recordings, 3 comedy albums, and 3 compilations.

#90: Various Artists – Rock N’ Roll Era: 1961
iTunes stats: 76 plays
Previous Ranking: 152

7 tunes, from artists like Del Shannon, Dion & The Belmonts, and Ben E. King, are part of this Time Life compilation.

#89: No Doubt – Tragic Kingdom
iTunes stats: 77 plays
Previous Ranking: 92

6 songs from the band’s breakthrough effort make up its total.

#88: Weezer – Weezer
iTunes stats: 78 plays
Previous Ranking: 77

4 tunes from Weezer’s debut, known as the Blue Album, place it on the list.

#85: The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
iTunes stats: 79 plays
Previous Ranking: 50

The remastered version of this Beatles’ classic makes the list thanks to 20 new listens across 5 different songs.

#85: Various Artists – Monsters Of Rock
iTunes stats: 79 plays
Previous Ranking: 74

This compilation of 80s hair bands, like White Lion, Winger, and Firehouse, makes up this total thanks to 8 different tracks.

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