This blog is languishing a bit, because I haven't had time alone to listen to the interesting stuff and I can't stand listening to the uninteresting stuff for a while. So, to fill in the dead air, below is a list of my long-lost favorite CDs, all of which were stolen out of my cube at work a few years ago. It's a fairly diverse selection, all excellent and highly recommended.
Godflesh, Pure
Yes, Drama
Devo, Greatest Hits
Oingo Boingo, Best O' Boingo
Ministry, The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste
Fairground Attraction, The First of a Million Kisses
Beastie Boys, Paul's Boutique
Thomas Dolby, The Flat Earth
Beethoven, Violin Concerto in D / Violin Romances

Metallica, ...And Justice For All
I was beginning to feel like I had to listen to something interesting or risk losing interest in this project altogether, and this album fit the bill nicely. This was the album that first got me interested in heavy metal, in large part because it was so much more intelligent than I imagined heavy metal to be. Musically, it's complex enough to be interesting but still tremendously energetic. Lyrically, it tackles some weighty issues: the environment, censorship, and of course, the justice system. But most of all, it just rocks. I'm not familiar with much of Metallica's work after the self-titled album that followed this one, but I have to believe that this is the magnum opus of one of metal's greatest bands. (Buy)

R.E.M., Eponymous
If your R.E.M. experience doesn't go further back than Green, or for that matter if you don't own anything of theirs, this is a great album to sample their earlier, more indie stuff. It contains all of their big hits up to and including Document (though it's a stretch to call anything before that a 'hit'). Practically every song on this album brings back memories of singing at college parties with Rick and his guitar. For the record, "Fall on Me" is the best R.E.M. song ever. Also, while listening to "So. Central Rain," my 3-year-old was really concerned about what he did to have to say he was sorry so many times. (Buy)

10,000 Maniacs, Our Time in Eden
I can only assume that my wife was responsible for this purchase. It's not bad, just a little uninteresting for my taste. Natalie Merchant has a good voice, the music is well put together and mostly catchy, but for me it just lacks something that would catch my attention. Fine music to play in the background while you have friends over for dinner, but it doesn't stand up to just sitting and listening. On the other hand, this band has a devoted following, so maybe it's just not my style. In a weird piece of synchronicity, though, just after I listened to this my daughter and some friends watched Cheaper by the Dozen, which opens with "These Are Days" from this album. (Buy)

Marillion, Misplaced Childhood
When I discovered this album early in college, I remember reading reviews that said that Marillion was maudlin music for lovesick teenagers, and thinking that this characterization was grossly unfair. I still think it's a little unfair, but I see their point. Musically, it's not bad, but it's not great either. Clearly its strength is the transmission of emotion, especially lyrically and vocally. I know I found it very powerful eighteen years ago (yikes!), but the emotions captured here don't resonate with me any more. More superficially, there are some good hooks in here, and "Kayleigh" can still stand alone as a fairly catchy piece of 80's rock. (Buy)

Sting, The Dream of the Blue Turtles
This album is still listenable enough, if a little boring. It didn't really seem so when it was new, but now it feels like Sting is taking himself much too seriously. What seemed earnest back then now just seems overwrought. Many of the lyrics are political, and are now severely dated; it surprised me a little to see the world from the perspective of 1985 again, and to realize how insignificant a fear the threat of nuclear war has become. Still, it has its moments; the title track, a fun little jazz instrumental, is still fun, and the song that closes the album, "Fortress Around Your Heart," is still great. (Buy)