the most important thing to me is that you actively engage in music - too many people listen to the familiar, and they're really missing out on what music has to offer which is something new, ya know? not saying throw albums away once you listen to them, just sayin' the ipod holds like 600 songs or whatever and that would only tide me over for a few days at the most so it's really no option for me
i like most music, provided it does not use electronic drums, sampling, or voice effects (pop music abuses all three of these to the point of being nearly skilless) and has something unique and beautiful to say (unlike linkin park, korn, etc whatever numetal bands you want here) - if art is about conveying ideas and not just emotions then pop doesn't qualify as art...unless i missed some hidden message in holla'back girl
not all pop 'divas' are fakes but a lot are; using effects to smooth and fill out their shoddy vocals.
mind melting music for the rhythmically sophisticated:
spastic ink
liquid tension experiment
spiral architect
meshuggah (dark introspective existentialism, not for most people. name=crazy in yiddish, theyre swedes tho)
any project feat Fredrik Thorendal & Morgan Ågren
Sol Niger Within medley
Mats/Morgan band - (don't watch the 'spoonman' video!) Mat&Morgan are heavily influenced by Zappa's work, and got started playing covers of his work with their band 'Zappsteetoot'. definitely worth a look
Etage A-41
Chicken (jazz)
p.s. i hope i dont get sued - i just linked to something