I find that I do really well when I'm listening to hard rock and rap, and other alternative, heavy bass/drum beat type music. Supertones, Earthsuit, P.O.D, etc.
Seems as though my intensity goes through the roof, even more so when I'm in a stressful situation.
It seems like it should be just the oppisite, it should be more of a destraction. Dunno.. whatever works is good enough I guess.