We used to have a policy at my old day gig where folks took it in turn to play a CD of their choice all the way through whilst "Work"-stylings got done. There were about 10 of us and it actually worked pretty well - hipped me to some genuinely good music from names that I'd previously considered too big to warrant any worth. Some folls took it real serious and did complilations on a theme, like songs about space, songs about places, etc.
I think that's the only thing I miss about that job. That and my fucking royalties.
But yo, as resident curmudgeon and jazz-snob, I was of course doing my best to finger-crucifix most Brit-R output from this era (Post Rock/Britpop/Shoegaze), but for some reason the "Alive-Richie" Manics sets got a pass. I'd thought it was all self-harm and guyliner, but can't front on "Motorcycle Emptiness" and dem.