Tag / Leave It To Beaver

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Top 200 Albums: #11 – 20

itunes_imageWe 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.

It is our penultimate look at the albums I have listened to the most over the last 15 years. including three compilations, two comedy albums, two greatest hits collections, and a bootleg live performance.

#20: AC/DC – The Razors Edge
iTunes stats: 283 plays
Previous Ranking: 12

An eight-spot drop in the rankings, most likely thanks to a pandemic-shortened 2020 baseball season without crowds and the subsequent lack of playing my White Sox playlists.

#19: Various Artists – TV’s Greatest Hits, Vol. 7: Cable Ready
iTunes stats: 289 plays
Previous Ranking: 16

A 98-play increase for this collection of TV theme songs from shows like Mad About You, Saved By The Bell, and Blossom, among others.

#17: The Monkees – The Monkees Greatest Hits
iTunes stats: 292 plays
Previous Ranking: 18

19 different tracks from the made-for-TV band, which is now down to just Mickey Dolenz following Michael Nesmith’s December death, saw a nearly 65% increase in listens over the past four years.

#17: Patton Oswalt– Feelin’ Kinda Patton
iTunes stats: 292 plays
Previous Ranking: 20

The first comedy album from Patton Oswalt sees an impressive 73% increase, which would be significantly higher if I were to ever sync my old iPhone 4s again.

#16: Elvis Presley – Elv1s 30 #1 Hits
iTunes stats: 312 plays
Previous Ranking: 15

This greatest hits package from the King of Rock & Roll uses 14 tracks to add an additional 119 listens over the past four years.

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Top 200 Albums – #20 – 30

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 are getting close to the finish line with this next batch of 10 albums ranked between #20 and 30, including 5 studio recordings, 3 compilations, 1 soundtrack, and 1 comedy album.

#30: Various Artists – Millennium Rock N’ Roll Party
iTunes stats: 154 plays
Previous Ranking: 50

13 tunes, from the likes of Santo & Johnny, Chuck Berry, and Jerry Lee Lewis, make up the total for this compilation of 50s hits.

#29: Veruca Salt – American Thighs
iTunes stats: 155 plays
Previous Ranking: 19

10 songs from the Chicago band’s debut album make up this total.

#28: Mexican Cheerleader – Kings and Kings’ Hoots
iTunes stats: 156 plays
Previous Ranking: 17

12 tunes off this sophomore effort from the local punk band make up this total.

#27: Garbage – Beautiful Garbage
iTunes stats: 157 plays
Previous Ranking: 21

The third studio album from the group uses 13 tracks to make up this total.

#25: The Beatles – Past Masters, Vol. 2
iTunes stats: 158 plays
Previous Ranking: 32

This remastered version of the album has 10 songs that make up its total.

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Top 200 Albums – #38 – 45

itunes_imageMy latest desktop computer arrived in late 2007, at which point I transitioned all of my music off of my laptop. 2 iPods, 3 iPhones, and an iPad later, that computer is still my main repository of music, with iTunes updating its stats every time I listen to something.

Having already gone through cassette tapes and CDs, and digital music, it’s time to roll everything up with the Top 200 albums whose songs I’ve listened to as of September 2014, according to iTunes. Today, we look at the 8 albums that rank from 45th through 38th, with 68-75 listens.

#38: The Beatles – Please Please Me [2009 Stereo Remaster]
iTunes stats: 75 plays
The remastered version of the first Beatles album uses 7 songs to make the list.

#38: Poison: Swallow This Live
iTunes stats: 75 plays
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.

#40: Pearl Jam – Vs.
iTunes stats: 71 plays
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.

#40: Various Artists – Television’s Greatest Hits, Vol. 1
iTunes stats: 71 plays
23 theme songs, from shows like Perry Mason, Leave It To Beaver, and The Munsters, make up the total from this compilation.

#42: Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP
iTunes stats: 69 plays
7 tracks make up the total for this breakthrough album.

#42: The Beatles – Magical Mystery Tour [2009 Stereo Remaster]
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