# Working around the house all week. Which albums should I listen to? Need answer fast-ish **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 22, 2016, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/working-around-the-house-all-week-which-albums-should-i-listen-to-need-answer-fast-ish/746790 "2016-02-22T13:10:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/working-around-the-house-all-week-which-albums-should-i-listen-to-need-answer-fast-ish/746790/1 "2016-02-22T13:10:06Z")
I am going to be doing work around the house all week. All alone, just me and my Spotify account. I am entertaining suggestions as to what entire albums I should listen to. Something **Old 97’s**? Something **New Kids on the Block**? Something **Dave Borrow**? Something **Blue Oyster Cult**? Whattaya got? And why? Compelling arguments made get first consideration. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/working-around-the-house-all-week-which-albums-should-i-listen-to-need-answer-fast-ish/746790/2 "2016-02-22T13:12:12Z")
The best album for working around the house is **Violent Femmes** eponymous first album. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/working-around-the-house-all-week-which-albums-should-i-listen-to-need-answer-fast-ish/746790/3 "2016-02-22T13:48:46Z")
MMM, why burden yourself with such questions? Hit up Pandora (Or Amazon Music, or I Heart Radio, etc.) and let them pick some tunes for you? While I’m not sure if you have ROKU, for example, but they have music channels as well as most cable providers. Rock On! Also, in the spirit of the thread. I pick one of your own selections: Blue Oyster Cult. Why ? Because of The Reaper, and Burnin for You, among others. Also, this has to be the first time in all of history that Blue Oyster Cult and New Kids on The Block are on the same list! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/working-around-the-house-all-week-which-albums-should-i-listen-to-need-answer-fast-ish/746790/4 "2016-02-22T14:01:01Z")
Only by the night by Kings of Leon. I love the whole album. Sex on Fire while scrubbing, heck yeah! ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/working-around-the-house-all-week-which-albums-should-i-listen-to-need-answer-fast-ish/746790/5 "2016-02-22T14:02:44Z")
**Tommy Guerrero - Loose Grooves and Bastard Blues** : [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QR3HQ6?ie=UTF8&\*Version\*=1&\*entries\*=0](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QR3HQ6?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0) Imagine a sophisticated urban sound, like an instrumental Steely Dan with a Latin feel. I love having it on and dipping into it while I read the paper Sunday morning. While I am at it, I will also recommend **Grant Green, Sunday Mornin’** : [http://www.amazon.com/Sunday-Mornin-Grant-Green/dp/B0009X77EK](http://www.amazon.com/Sunday-Mornin-Grant-Green/dp/B0009X77EK) My favorite jazz guitarist playing great small-combo songs. This is the type of music I love to have on when I am working from home or reading. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/working-around-the-house-all-week-which-albums-should-i-listen-to-need-answer-fast-ish/746790/6 "2016-02-22T14:16:01Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > The best album for working around the house is **Violent Femmes** eponymous first album. First answer, first outstanding suggestion. Love the Femmes. Cranking it now. Good one, Bo! mmm ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/working-around-the-house-all-week-which-albums-should-i-listen-to-need-answer-fast-ish/746790/7 "2016-02-22T15:01:25Z")
Old 97s? I would highly recommend Too Far To Care, Blame It On Gravity, or The Grand Theater Vol I. If it’s available, their Best Of album “Hit By A Train” is worth a listen. Favorite tracks are their cover of “El Paso” and the live version of “Barrier Reef”. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/working-around-the-house-all-week-which-albums-should-i-listen-to-need-answer-fast-ish/746790/8 "2016-02-22T15:07:45Z")
Violent Femmes are in the books. Quite enjoyable. **Enright3** didn’t specify a particular **Blue Oyster Cult** album, so I’m cuing up Agents of Fortune. I am only familiar with BOC’s hits, so this will be a new one on me. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/working-around-the-house-all-week-which-albums-should-i-listen-to-need-answer-fast-ish/746790/9 "2016-02-22T15:09:09Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > Old 97s? I would highly recommend Too Far To Care, Blame It On Gravity, or The Grand Theater Vol I. > > If it’s available, their Best Of album “Hit By A Train” is worth a listen. Favorite tracks are their cover of “El Paso” and the live version of “Barrier Reef”. C’mon **Shoeless** , pick one album for me. (I must admit an El Paso cover has me intrigued) mmm ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/working-around-the-house-all-week-which-albums-should-i-listen-to-need-answer-fast-ish/746790/10 "2016-02-22T15:13:59Z")
I like rocking stuff when I’m working. George Thorogood. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/working-around-the-house-all-week-which-albums-should-i-listen-to-need-answer-fast-ish/746790/11 "2016-02-22T15:38:58Z")
Pick one? Go with Hit By A Train. It is a great introduction to the band. ---
**Author:** ![Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maggie_the_Ocelot)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/working-around-the-house-all-week-which-albums-should-i-listen-to-need-answer-fast-ish/746790/12 "2016-02-22T15:48:57Z")
I’ve always found Paul Simon’s music to be great housecleaning music. Go for _Graceland_, or the greatest-hits collection _Hearts and Bones_. Also, you should listen to the _Hamilton_ OCR. Because Hamilton. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/working-around-the-house-all-week-which-albums-should-i-listen-to-need-answer-fast-ish/746790/13 "2016-02-22T16:19:44Z")
I’m mellow when cleaning, so I go for a little Miles Davis “Kind of Blue.” Or, if I’m feeling a little more aggressive, but only slightly so, John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme.” Or Dave Brubeck’s “Time In.” ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/working-around-the-house-all-week-which-albums-should-i-listen-to-need-answer-fast-ish/746790/14 "2016-02-22T16:33:19Z")
> [@White SIFL](#): > > I like rocking stuff when I’m working. George Thorogood. I like me some George. Pick an album for me. Greatest Hits are acceptable, by the way. > [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](#): > > I’ve always found Paul Simon’s music to be great housecleaning music. Go for _Graceland_, or the greatest-hits collection _Hearts and Bones_. > > Also, you should listen to the _Hamilton_ OCR. Because Hamilton. I’m down with Paul. I played \*\*Graceland \*\*nonstop back when it came out, been a while since I’ve done it A-Z, might be time. \*\*Hearts & Bones \*\*isn’t a greatest hits collection, but I’m pretty familiar with that too. And **Hamilton**? Christ, that’s all I’ve been listening to for the past 2 months. Pick one please! > [@pulykamell](#): > > I’m mellow when cleaning, so I go for a little Miles Davis “Kind of Blue.” Or, if I’m feeling a little more aggressive, but only slightly so, John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme.” Or Dave Brubeck’s “Time In.” I’m familiar with Kind of Blue and A Love Supreme, but not the Brubeck. Pick one please! And for the record, I’m painting, not cleaning. 🙂 Currently cuing up **Kings of Leon**. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/working-around-the-house-all-week-which-albums-should-i-listen-to-need-answer-fast-ish/746790/15 "2016-02-22T16:43:28Z")
George Thorogood’s 30th Anniversary Tour: Live. It’s got all the good stuff and it’s live! ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/working-around-the-house-all-week-which-albums-should-i-listen-to-need-answer-fast-ish/746790/16 "2016-02-22T16:56:46Z")
When I need to put pedal to the metal and get some work done around the house, I need a good hard-driving beat and nothing provides that like headbanger rock. A favorite is ACDC’s Back in Black. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/working-around-the-house-all-week-which-albums-should-i-listen-to-need-answer-fast-ish/746790/17 "2016-02-22T17:19:28Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I’m familiar with Kind of Blue and A Love Supreme, but not the Brubeck. > > Pick one please! Well, “Time Out” is the classic. If you haven’t heard that, then you have to. “Time In” is the last in his “Time” series, and not as well-known, but more interesting, in my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![dada2fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ccd318/32.png) [@dada2fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dada2fish)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/working-around-the-house-all-week-which-albums-should-i-listen-to-need-answer-fast-ish/746790/18 "2016-02-22T17:29:01Z")
Elvis Costello Armed Forces David Bowie Diamond Dogs Roxy Music Country Life Why? Dunno…they seem to go well with cleaning house. ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/working-around-the-house-all-week-which-albums-should-i-listen-to-need-answer-fast-ish/746790/19 "2016-02-22T17:33:02Z")
Make a “Toots and the Maytals” channel and see what kind of goodness pops up. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/working-around-the-house-all-week-which-albums-should-i-listen-to-need-answer-fast-ish/746790/20 "2016-02-22T18:10:09Z")
**Blue Oyster Cult** - OK. Just OK. Enjoyed **Kings of Leon** Also enjoyed **Tommy Guerrero** ; this was a new one on me. Haven’t heard back from **shoeless** , so Too Far to Care from **Old 97’s** is up next. mmm [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/working-around-the-house-all-week-which-albums-should-i-listen-to-need-answer-fast-ish/746790.md?page=2)