Whether you’re gardening, cooking, sewing or painting, music can make a pleasant task more enjoyable. We recently took a poll around the Better Homes and Gardens office to find out what our all-time favourite albums were. These are the discs that, if we were stuck on an island forever, we’d want with us to keep us company as we made sand sculptures.
 
Purple Rain – Prince
The soundtrack to the film of the same name has been a critical darling since its release in 1984. Considered by many to be one of the finest rock albums ever made it still continues to sell 25 years later.
 
London Calling – The Clash
Released in 1979, this album was the third from punk rockers the Clash and was voted as one of the 500 greatest albums ever by Rolling Stone.
 
Freedom Sessions – Sarah McLachlan
This remix album from the Canadian singer was pieced together using B-sides and other songs recorded during the making of her album Fumbling Towards Ecstasy.
 
Beethoven by Bedtime – Beethoven
Part of a series of CDs designed to give listeners classical music to reflect times of the day, this collection of Beethoven’s more relaxing tunes help ease your mind as you wind down for the evening.
 
America IV – Johnny Cash
Released in 2002, this unique collection of covers was the last album released by Cash during his lifetime. Its raw, bare approach is particularly touching, especially on songs that have always been associated with a particular performance.
 
Man of Colours – Icehouse
Featuring the classic track Electric Blue, this 1987 album from Australian group Icehouse has stood the test of time thanks to its groundbreaking mix of musical styles.
 
The Bends – Radiohead
This 1995 album may not have received the commercial success of other Radiohead releases, but with tracks like  Fake Plastic Trees and High and Dry, it was and is acclaimed by the critics .
 
Born Sandy Devotional – The Triffids
Released in 1986 this album was described by lead singer David McComb as the best thing the Perth-based band had done and it remains popular, with 2006 seeing the album remastered and re-released.
 
Grace – Jeff Buckley
The only complete album from Jeff Buckley, this 1994 album has taken on almost cult status following the death of Buckley in 1997.
 
What’s your favourite CD? Tell us below.
 
Tomorrow’s Topic: Gravy
Here are some great recipes that work perfectly with gravy.