Summer is officially halfway over making it crucial that the rest of it is spent accordingly. Water, sunshine, driving, outdoors; whatever it is that you are doing, I am providing you with the perfect music to groove to. I know we may not have similar tastes, but if yours is immaculate like mine then you’ll approve.

P.S. Because I love you, my dear readers, you can listen to any of these songs at the almighty Grooveshark. I made the playlist for you. Muah.

The Beach Boys: Sounds of Summer

This is a given. How could this album not be on the list? The Beach Boys have set the bar high for California bands and pretty much invented the “surf beat”. Known as one of if not the greatest American band of all time, The Beach Boys are popular for their catchy, pop-a-licious tunes that sing of everything ranging from surfing, to racing, to high school football games and of course, young romance. Countless artists have been influenced by The Beach Boys and continue to look to them as the perfect songwriters.

But Nicole, I’ve never heard of them! Which song should I listen to first?

If you’ve never heard of the Beach Boys, it’s probably because you’re a traitor to all things good and holy in this world. It’s really tough to say, but “Little Deuce Coupe” probably takes home the gold for being my favorite song on this album.

Listen to it…

…while at the beach!

Does It Offend You, Yeah?: You Have No Idea What You’re Getting Yourself Into

Cruising through time a few decades, in 2008 British electro-rock band Does It Offend You, Yeah? released their first studio album, You Have No Idea What You’re Getting Yourself Into. These newcomers took 9th for the most listened to new band on Last.Fm in 2008, were announced as  Rolling Stones breakthrough artists, and were one of the most popular alternative artists on iTunes the year they released this hard-hitting, addictive album. You can try to place Does It Offend You, Yeah? into a category or say “Oh, well their music sounds like…”, but really the best way to hear them is to just listen, because these upbeat dudes are in a category all in their own.

But Nicole, I’ve never heard of them! Which song should I listen to first?

“Dawn of the Dead” is a good song to get hooked on, but I think “We Are Rockstars” represents them well.

Listen to it…

…while running.

Gold Motel: Summer House

Drawing influence from our first band, The Beach Boys, Gold Motel formed and released their album, Summer House, all in about one year’s time. If you want something fresh and light, look no further than these newborns. Gold Motel has a distinctly 60′s/California pop/indie sound that is the perfect listening music for just about anything summer. Greta Morgan, the lead singer and mastermind behind Gold Motel, is also the singer/pianist for the group The Hush Sound that recently split. Each of the musicians from The Hush Sound is pursuing their own musical tastes, and Greta is the first of the group to release her own stuff. Miss Morgan, we thank you for your new music. It’s the splash of cold water we’ve been thirsting for.

But Nicole, I’ve never heard of them! Which song should I listen to first?

My favorite and their first single: “Perfect in my Mind.” You’ll find yourself singing it for the rest of the day.

Listen to it…

…while driving. But make sure you’re in a convertible first, yeah?

The Young Veins: Take a Vacation!

I’ve been waiting to talk more about this one. Like The Hush Sound, half of The Young Veins comes from the popular rock/pop band, Panic! at the Disco, but through creative differences spiraled off and did their own thing: this is how Take a Vacation! was born. Take a Vacation! is reminiscent of The Beach Boys, some Beatles, some Monkees, but imagine those with a hint of west coast rock and modernity. The Young Veins knocked this one out of the park; trust me, I had it playing in my car every single day. Luckily, Joshua and I got to see them while they were on tour, and not only are they talented, but sweet as pie. If you need further convincing to listen to these gifted guys, just watch the video for their single “Change”. Tell me that isn’t awesome. Also, for the entire month of August this album is only $5 on Amazon.

But Nicole, I’ve never heard of them! Which song should I listen to first?

“Change” is totally dance and singable, but I probably listened to “Capetown” the most. Gotta love the vocals and melody on that one.

Listen to it…

…while sky or nature watching. It deserves your attention.

Daft Punk: Discovery

You may know Daft Punk from those Adidas commercials, or maybe from that one (stupid) Kanye West remix, or maybe you’re awesome and just knew them from the beginning. Discovery is one of those albums that you can play anywhere and somehow it fits perfectly. However, I’ve found that summer is probably the best season to listen to them in because it’s perfect socializing music (electronic, hard-hitting beat, the kings of auto-tune). Whether you are male or female, a geek or a prep, 18 or 38, drunk or sober, you will like Daft Punk and this album. Trust me.

But Nicole, I’ve never heard of them! Which song should I listen to first?

“Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” will rock your world. But “Digital Love” is cute, too.

Listen to it…

…at your next party. No one will complain about this music, seriously.

The Hush Sound: Like Vines

I made mention of these guys and gal earlier, but here’s the CD that you need to listen to. The Hush Sound came out with this legend when they were practically kids: I am talking like, barely in their 20′s. It’s amazing that at such a young age they produced music this solid and contagious. I first heard these songs in the summer of 2006 and it has stuck with me ever since. This music is even sweeter than Summer House in a way, because its lyrics speak of innocence, finding oneself, and life’s unpredictable nature. It’s the perfect album to grow up to (I am speaking from experience), and although it may come off as rather delicate, you won’t be afraid to let loose and lose yourself in the fun beats and crystal clear harmonies.

But Nicole, I’ve never heard of them! Which song should I listen to first?

“Don’t Wake Me Up” is easily my favorite.

Listen to it…

…at the pool. Like Vines + happy, cool water = glee overload.

Al Green: The Very Best of Al Green

Here’s another classic and another inspiration for many of the artists today. One of the fathers of soul and R&B, Al Green’s music is brutally honest and presents the listener with more raw emotion than any Nicholas Sparks novel could ever deliver. Al Green addresses passion, heartbreak, arousal, betrayal, you name it, he does it. The Very Best of Al Green is like Discovery in that no one is gonna ask you to turn it off. In fact, most people are probably going to be dancing to it or karaoke-ing it at the top of their lungs.

But Nicole, I’ve never heard of him! Which song should I listen to first?

“Tired of Being Alone” is spectacular. Try that one first, and “Let’s Get Together” second.

Listen to it…

…at your next cookout.

Brad Mehldau: Places

Last but SO certainly not least is one of my favorite contemporary jazz artists, pianist Brad Mehldau. I am very thankful to know of him through my “Music 253: Intro to Jazz” class at Ohio State. I tried to include many different genres in this ultimate summer list, so here’s your daily jazz. I find Places to be especially fascinating; each song attempts to sound like the kind of music you would hear in that place (ex., “Los Angeles”, “Amsterdam”). Brad Mehldau delivers modern jazz piano at its finest: luxurious, cool, chords, flirty rhythms and a strong urge to keep the album on ‘repeat’.

But Nicole, I’ve never heard of him! Which song should I listen to first?

“Madrid” has like fifty-bazillion listens on my iTunes. Try “Madrid”.

Listen to it…

…while reading or doing something equally as relaxing. This music requires palm trees and sangria.

Related posts:

1. Free Music Streaming Sites do exist! Just try Grooveshark!
2. Local Awesome: The Young Veins
3. The Young Veins in Columbus: Take a Vacation!
4. (Hum) Hallelujah for the Believers Never Die, Part Deux Tour
5. Panic! at the Disco’s Newest Single