Our theme for Volume 28 is “Once Upon a Time” – songs and albums that tell a story. From sweeping concept records to tightly woven lyrical tales, these are the records that pull us into a narrative world and carry us from beginning to end. Whether rooted in fiction, autobiography, folklore, or pure imagination, these selections showcase music as storytelling at its finest. Some unfold like novels, others like short films or vivid scenes frozen in time—but all leave us somewhere different than where we started. What are your Top 5 records that tell the best stories? Read more…

Our theme for Volume 27 is “Missing in Action” – the records that elude us. Albums we don’t own (yet), but desperately want in our collection. Maybe they’re rare, out of print, too expensive, or just haven’t crossed our path… yet. These are the white whales, the gaps on the shelf, the records we’re always hunting for. What’s missing from your collection—and why? Read more…

Our theme for Volume 26 is “Epic Instrumentals” – albums, artists, and tracks that speak without words. No vocals, no lyrics—just pure sound, composition, and atmosphere. From jazz to ambient, post-rock to electronic, these are the pieces that prove music doesn’t need a voice to say something powerful. Let the instruments do the talking. Read more…

Our theme for Volume 25 is “Faraway Land” – music from distant places, unfamiliar cultures, and far-off scenes. Records that transport us beyond our everyday surroundings and introduce us to new sounds, languages, and traditions. Whether it’s geographically far or simply outside your usual listening habits, this is about exploration and discovery. Where has music taken you? Read more…

Our theme for Volume 24 is “My First Albums” – the records that started it all. The first albums you bought, were gifted, or remember owning that sparked your journey into music collecting. These are the foundational sounds that shaped your early tastes and opened the door to everything that followed. Maybe they’re humble beginnings, maybe they still hold up—but they all mean something. Let’s rewind to where it began. Read more…

Our theme for Volume 23 is “Pack it up, Pack it in, Let us begin!” – a celebration of album packaging and physical presentation. From gatefold sleeves and elaborate box sets to stunning artwork and thoughtful design, this is about the full tactile experience of music collecting. The records that are as beautiful to hold as they are to hear. Show us the albums that make you stop and stare before the needle even drops. Read more…

Our theme for Volume 22 is “Guilty Pleasures” – the records we love… but maybe don’t always admit to. The uncool, the cheesy, the overplayed, the misunderstood. Albums that might raise eyebrows in certain circles but still hit just right when no one’s watching. But let’s be honest—should we even feel guilty at all? Let’s embrace the joy, drop the shame, and celebrate the music we love anyway. Read more…

Our theme for Volume 21 is “Back to the Future” – albums and songs that transport you through time. Maybe they take you back to a specific moment in your life, a memory, a place, or a feeling. Or maybe they sound like they’re from another era entirely—past or future. Music has the power to bend time, collapsing decades into a single listen. Where does your Top 5 take you? Read more…

Our theme for Volume 20 is “Perfect Albums” – records that are flawless from start to finish. No skips, no filler, no weak links. These are the albums where every track matters, where sequencing, mood, and intention align into something truly complete. Whether universally acclaimed or deeply personal, these are your 10/10s. The records you wouldn’t change a thing about. Read more…

Our theme for Volume 19 is “All From One” – a deep dive into a single artist’s world. Your Top 5 all come from one artist or band. Maybe it’s your all-time favorite, maybe it’s someone you’ve been obsessing over lately, or maybe it’s an artist whose catalog tells a fascinating story across time. How do you narrow it down? What rises to the top? Let’s explore the many sides of one musical voice. Read more…

Our theme for Volume 18 is “Mixed Bag” – a snapshot of your most recent musical discoveries and acquisitions. No rules, no unifying theme—just the latest records you’ve picked up and fallen into. New, old, borrowed, or blue, this is about what’s been spinning lately. Sometimes the most interesting stories come from the lack of a theme… so what’s in your bag right now? Read more…

Our theme for Volume 17 is “Origin Story” – albums, songs, or artists that connect us to where we come from. Whether it’s your hometown, your home country, or a place that shaped you, these are the records that feel rooted in your personal geography. Maybe it’s a local band, a regional sound, or something that simply reminds you of “home.” Music has a way of mapping our lives—let’s trace those origins together. Read more…

Our theme for Volume 16 is “Best of Last Year” – the records that defined our most recent year of collecting and listening. Whether they were brand new releases or long-sought-after finds finally added to the shelves, these are the albums that soundtracked our 2025. The ones we couldn’t stop spinning, the ones that surprised us, and the ones that quietly became essential. What rose to the top of your collection this past year? Let’s count them down! Read more…