I don't want to create a playlist when I add most of my tracks. Would like to add lots of music and just play based on album or artist.
Please do the following:
Search for Device manager -> Universal serial bus devices -> iPod (your device) -> Properties -> Change settings -> Update driver (or Roll back driver) -> Browse -> show drivers on my PC -> Select usb mass storage device (or Apple ipod usb driver).
If the solution above did not help, refer to this troubleshooting guide for iPod corruption errors:
https://www.copytrans.net/support/how-to-fix-ipod-corruption-errors/