Death Cab for Cutie – “Transatlanticism”
The bittersweet sounds of Death Cab always remind me of summer, and “Transatlanticism” is their best album to date. Find a summer love to “Tiny Vessels,” dance to “The Sound of Settling” or take a break with “Lightness.” “Title and Registration” and “Passenger Seat” are best saved for that long summer drive.
Hanson – “Underneath”
The Hanson brothers’ third album is a summer masterpiece. The songs are fun, sweet and, at times, exhilarating. Even if you hate the idea of owning a Hanson album, check it out for “Penny & Me.” It’s the perfect summer song. “Cause Penny and me like to roll the windows down/Turn the radio up, and push the pedal to the ground.” Amazing.
Missy Higgins – “On a Clear Night”
Missy Higgins’ music feels like a blanket that just came out of the dryer. It is comforting and always makes you stop to take a deep breath. Her second major release has some lovely, innocent songs like “Sugarcane” and “Warm Whispers” that are perfect for laying in the grass. But my favorites are more on the cheeky side: “Secret” and “Peachy.”
– Tiffany Reagan
Robyn – “Robyn”
She’s been called the Swedish Britney, but Robyn has no desire to be anyone’s sweetheart. In fact, she’s more likely to kick your ass with her in-your-face electro-pop perfection. Tracks like “With Every Heartbeat” and “Handle Me” showcase Robyn at her best, which bears little to no resemblance to her late-’90s hit “Show Me Love.” Roll the windows down and crank this one up full blast.
Danity Kane – “Welcome to the Dollhouse”
You’ve probably heard “Damaged” by now – who hasn’t? It’s all over the place – but the rest of Danity Kane’s second album only gets better from there. The group’s next single, “Bad Girl,” is a high-energy banger featuring Missy Elliott that’s bound to be another hit, and the album features a number of good ballads as well. Don’t knock it ’til you try it.
September – “September”
Anyone who knows me knows that I’m obsessed with this girl. Like Robyn, she’s Swedish, and like Robyn, she sings in English. But the similarities end there because September creates an infectious brand of disco-infused dance-pop that’s perfect for summer. “September” is her first full-length U.S. release and combines the best songs from her last two European albums, “In Orbit” and “Dancing Shoes.”
– Matt Sevits
“Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus “
Miley Cyrus decided to take those scandalous pictures for Vanity Fair and damage her perception as the reigning tween queen. It may not have been her intention, but that was the best thing that could’ve ever happened to us poor Miley fans over the age of 11. So now that some of that Disney shine has been taken off of her, it’s time to give the album a second chance. “Clear” and “East Northumberland High” are both perfect songs for the soon-to-come nice weather.
“Go: Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack “
“Go” may not have been that successful of a movie, but its soundtrack absolutely captured the sound of the late 1990s. It’s a perfect soundtrack to listen to while driving in the summer. Sometimes it gets a little too techno, but the underappreciated songs from No Doubt, Natalie Imbruglia and Len more than make up for that.
– Kevin Glenn
Exploding Hearts – “Guitar Romantic”
The Exploding Hearts, the great Northwest hope that fell asleep at the wheel on the highway to stardom, might have released the best rock and roll record this decade will ever know. With jangly Rickenbacker guitars and glue-sniffing, smartass attitude, “Guitar Romantic” delivers gem after gem of pink bubblegum pop goodness perfect for soundtracking your hot summer nights. Fire up the grill, pop the top off of the cold lager and throw this wax on the table and just try to wipe the grin off your face. The Hearts are the stuff of legend and I pity all of you who haven’t heard this masterpiece yet.
Rick Ross – “Trilla”
It’s getting to be that time of year when it’s 85 degrees and sunny just about every day. You know what that means: It’s car bumpin’ season. So roll down the windows, crank up the subs and pop in the biggest bass that 2008 has seen thus far: Rick Ross’ “Trilla.” Drenched in Dirty South club sensibility and loaded with A-list cameos, “Trilla” has enough bass and T-Pain choruses to keep the girls at Taylor’s good all night. And, oh yeah, Ricky Ross still be spittin’ that hustle rap like it was fire. EVERY DAY I’M HUSTLIN’.
– Alex Gabriel
Blue Scholars – “Bayani”
This best hip-hop duo of the Northwest’s latest full-length album, “Bayani,” provides the steady chill beats required for spring’s smooth persona. With tracks like “Fire For the People” and “The Distance” that feature a two-part equation of class-conscious politics and slick instrumentals, this album drops just the right amount of thought-provoking matter to carry you through spring term. It’s deep, but not overwhelming, and is mellow enough to write term papers to. But it also has enough hard-hitting staccato bass to flow during a barbecue or early evening pre-party hang-out.
The New Pornographers – “Challengers”
Challengers may not be the party-album of the year, but alt-rockers The New Pornographers have provided a solid playlist of indie tracks that are perfect for driving on the open road or facing your hangover on a Sunday afternoon. Songs such as “Myriad Harbor” and “Mutiny, I Promise You” have enough driving guitar, drums and catchy refrains to pull you through the Benadryl-laden haze of allergies that spring pollen amply causes in Eugene.
– Jaime Swindle