Depends on my mood and typically what I'm programming. Usually I start off with the Halo 3 OST, Theory of a Deadman, Foo Fighters, or The Police. If I'm programming something and I absolutely need to get something done I focus on harder rock.

Love Joe Satriani for programming, it gets *all* the neurons firing and can generate some truely impressive stuff. If I just need background music ("standard" bug fixes, maintenance work, light stuff... ) I find Jurassic 5 (J5), Carbon Leaf, Dispatch, and Blind Melon excellent. If I need to crank something out, Fiona Apple, The Blue Man Group, AC/DC and the aforementioned Satriani are all winners.

I am not a jazz buff, but I have a Dave Brubeck channel set up in Pandora that plays coolest west coast jazz. I find that music to be absolutely non-intrusive to my coding and the perfect background noise for intense concentration.

@Matt: Thanks for the heads up on the Halo 3 OST.. very nice

@Charles C: I totally DIG Carbon Leaf & Blind Melon, will have to check out J5

@ICNet: I dig Dave Brubeck, I'll hafta check out Pandora w/Brubeck as root.

@ALL: Thanks for the comments!!! Keep 'em coming?

I mainly listen to something from my French collection which includes Nadiya, Amel Bent, Koxie, Kenza Farah. I taught myself enough French to get by while visiting France a few years back but I can't really understand what they're saying unless I _really_ focus. I find this get's me in a groove but the lyrics don't distract. I also have started to listen to some of the progressive stuff done by the guy who has the office next to me http://www.djmedieval.com/ - our Network Admin.