Whats on your turntable tonight?

Chicago II--like most fair-minded music lovers, I've generally regarded their seemingly endless output as the clearest example of cultural decay. I've concluded, however, that this album is something of a masterpiece--in contrast to the AOR drivel that followed, it's actually soulful and raw-- just listen to those jagged guitar fills, random percussion parts and slightly off-key vocals. Plus the bass player really swings.

Richard Buckner, Surrounded--admittedly, there's not a ton of sonic variation in his ouevre, but he is a genius and noone comes close to doing this type of downcast Nick Drake-meets-Hank Williams stuff.

Earth, Angel of Darkness--my new guilty pleasures; they're usually mis-categorized as heavy metal, but to me actually sound closer to ambient, experimental guys like NIN or Tortoise. Intense, tuneful stuff.

Belcea Quartet, Schubert String Quartets in G&D Minor Death and the Maiden
Prince, Purple Rain
St Vincent, Stranger Mercy
Pearl Jam, Into the Wild soundtrack

Movie sound track, "Drive."
Donald Byrd, "Royal Flush." (this is out of this world, love it).
Yello, "Touch"
Massive Attack, "Heligoland"
Joni Mitchell, "Blue"
Agnes Obel, "Wallflower"

Death Cab for Cutie, We have the facts and we're voting yes.
Peter Wolf, Sleepless
Smashing Pumpkins, Siamese Dream
Pearl Jam, Yield
Nancy Wilson & Cannonball Adderley

Albert, that Drive sound track peaked my interest. I've never seen the film. Can you elaborate for me? If not, I can check out Amazon reviews but I'd much rather hear what draws you to this material than most. I appreciate your diversity.