After a discussion with Gar this morning, the phrase "low light" albums came up, music that seems qualitatively fit better when the lights are dim and you're in that pre-hypnogogic and reflective state. I'm thinking albums that just wouldn't sound right at 2pm. One that came up recently for me came from the 1963 thread:

For a contewmporary artist I would definitely say Clientele's Strange Geometry

Agreed. Love that one.

These fit the bill too:

This was prompted by my comments that I sat in the living room last night after dinner and listened to Louis Armstrong plays WC Handy and had a few cocktails with the Missus.

there are probably more appropriate records for this, but I've always like this one with dim lights

Bowie: Space Oddity
Echo & The Bunnymen: Ocean Rain

Burl Ives -- "Holly Jolly Christmas"

First one that came to mind:

Considering the source, I read this thread title as a request for a bands career "low light".

ie: if Exile is a career "highlight", then Dirty Work is a career "low light".

I thought so too, then I read the first post.

My #2 from last year:

Four Tet - There Is Love in You