Summer Albums
I know it’s August already… But I still haven’t posted the rest of the summer albums list so here’s the other ten. Hurry and check them out before the weather gets cold and lame. Part 1 of this story.
Slint Spiderland
From the opening track “Brad Crumb Trail” you can tell that the album has a certain warm vibe to it. Better suited for nighttime listening because it is a bit dark and aggressive. This album while being one of the best albums of all time also serve’s as fine post punk summer music. C’mon the bands is swimming on the cover of the album for crying out loud. Favorite Song: “Washer”
The Roots Do You Want More?!!!??!
The Roots Major label debut Do You Want More?!!!??! , is the group’s most organic release. If you don’t start buggin’ out when this album starts playing you might need to go see the doctor because you’re probably dead. This album is a fine soundtrack to a lazy drunken Saturday. Give yourself an excuse to be worthless for a day, break this album and out and bust a move. Favorite Song: “Lazy Afternoon”
Wilco Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is the O.K. Computer of Alt. Country. This album goes far beyond anything that Wilco had done in previous albums before. There is some serious texture going on here. Although some of the lyrical content is bit depressing and there are some slower dark songs going on. It’s still a good album to put on during a warm summer evening. Warning: don’t ever listen to this album with your dad cause he’ll hijack it from you and he’ll never give it back. Favorite Song: “Heavy Metal Drummer”
Juno A Future Lived In Past Tense
Juno is one of the most unknown and under appreciated bands that has existed in the past 10 years. Their final album before their break up / hiatus has several tracks that will provide a calm atmosphere. The most introspective and progressive album on the list A Future Lived In Past Tense might take you a few listens to absorb but once you do this album will become one of your favorites. Favorite Song: “The Trail…”
Pearl Jam No Code
No Code is Pearls Jam’s least appreciated album, which is bogus because this album more than any of their others has the most variety, it’s earthy yet still Rocks The Kasbah. The vocal performance on “In My Tree” has to be one of the best vocal performance Eddie Vedder has ever put to wax, Vedder for life!! Favorite Song: “In My Tree”
Hum Downward Is Heavenward
Hum is the coolest. Downward Is Heavenward is a perfect album form start to finish it’s a shame that no one bought this album when it came out forcing the band to be dropped form their label which led to their eventual break up. It brings a tear to my eye every time I think about it. I was also extremely bummed out when I saw the Cadillac commercial featuring “Stars”. Way to ruin a good song. Favorite Song: “Green To Me”
The Flaming Lips The Soft Bulletin
The Flaming Lips return to greatness. To think that three dudes made all this crazy Ruckus is amazing. This album with its dreamy and experimental soundtrack is the perfect album for a relaxing summer afternoon. So bust out your kiddy pool, grab a frosty cool beverage, put The Soft Bulletin on and see what kind of crazy shapes the clouds will make. Favorite Song: “ The Spiderbite Song”
A Tribe Called Quest Anthology
With Q-Tips nerd style vocal inflection and Phife’s laid back lyrical approach accompanied by Ali’s smooth jazz mixing, how could A Tribe Called Quest not be perfect summer music? To me this is the best rap crew that has ever existed. The best album to own is their greatest hits Anthology; it’s got all the hits. This disk even includes Q-Tips solo hit “Vivarant Thing”. A Tribe Called Quest has all the gratuitous rhythms you could ever ask for. Favorite Song: “Award Tour”
Sharks Keep Moving Sharks Keep Moving
Spawned from members of The Blood Brothers, State Route 522, and Kill Sadie and eventually evolving into Past Lives, Pretty Girls Make Graves and Minus The Bear. Sharks Keep Swimming is jazzy, smooth and cool just like your favorite Popsicle. Sharks Keep Moving is mostly instrumental but the few tracks that Jake Snyder’s voice does appear on are that much more bodacious. This album is hard to find so if you ever find a copy make sure you snatch it up and burn it for everybody you know. Favorite Song: “Jet’s Jets”
Tripping Daisy I Am An Elastic Firecracker
Before The Polyphonic Spree, Tim DeLaughter fronted Tripping Daisy. Their second album I Am An Elastic Firecracker was by far their best album and the only one that received any attention from anybody (“Piranha”). This album is amazing from start to finish. DeLaughter voice has an innocent quality to it that reminds me of being a kid, which makes this a good album to reminisce to. Favorite Track: “Trip Along”
This is some serious music!! Checkout the first three here.
Jon