I use it like a Pomodoro timer. I start the recording, I work for 51 minutes and when it is over I take a break.
The recording has a nice mix of relaxed and energetic segments and it is sufficiently repetitive that it isn't distracting.
http://benjaminbriggs.bandcamp.com/track/this-track-may-snac... (Let me know if you recognize the sound at 2:14 (clue its from an awesome NES game)
https://soundcloud.com/zedd/zedd-legend-of-zelda-original
I also highly recommend OCRemix.org if you too like game tunes.
When not feeling gamey it might be Muse, Ratatat, Kamelot or whatever else feels a good pace to code with.
Eras are anything from Baroque, Classical to Romantic but not Contemporary.
Ravel: Music For Four Hands with Louis Lortie and Helene Mercier is worth a good ear.
I'm interested in hearing some Baroque, but I'm clueless about the genre.
For Baroque; Start with the king, Bach. Beware though, some complained it takes away from their brain cycles. Concerto in A Minor for Four Harpsichords: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_if3nhq64pE
Just give yourself a bit of time to get familiar with tonality and harmony.
OCRemix - http://ocremix.org (there are also a ton of community created albums that are great)
OCRemix Radio - http://rainwave.cc
When I'm bored and going through the motions working on something that doesn't need great thought I listen to podcasts or put Netflix on in the background for background noise.
So it's either something purely instrumental (say, Apocalyptica), something completely foreign (j-rock? most european languages don't work as too many words are semi-understandable), or something that I've listened to for a dozen years and know entirely by heart.
Sometimes guitar based music: Robben Ford, Matt Schofield, Johnny A, Satriani etc
Sometimes electronic/pop: Daft Punk, Empire of the Sun, Cut Copy, Ratatat, El Ten Eleven
Sometimes electro swing: Parov Stelar, similar on pandora radio
Lots of Rdio radio and Pandora lately, influenced by one of above. Lately Rdio seems to introduce more artists than Pandora, and has more features (adventurous, artist only)....
Robben Ford must get some sore fingers.
I use Spotify
today is was 1) the Fretless (irish classical hybrid) 2) Foo Fighters 3) Eve 6
sometimes I'll stream wmbr (wmbr.org). They have a variety of music thats usually good. They archive the shows to for later listen if you don't like whats on now.
I had a quick peek, I was wondering if RMS would be listening to it of this moment.
I also had a listen to the Fretless, nice. My sister used to be an excellent fiddler.
I'll have take your word for it that it's swish.
Them two look like hackers to me. I recently found out they've been around since '87 (according to Discogs).
Of particular note is 'Flutter', a track where no two bars are the same, which was produced in response to the UK Government passing an 'anti-rave' law which attempted to classify dance/electronic music as 'repetitive beat music'. Party organisers were encouraged to have a copy of Flutter, a musicologist and a solicitor on hand in the event of the police trying to enforce these crazy laws. Fun times!