Bending your ear
Fervent music fans weigh in on all-time favorite summer listening
The bulk of this month’s Kill Yr Idols is being written piecemeal, from various locales, farther west and much farther south of my Four Corners home. Schedules aligned, circumstances fell into place, very little planning happened, and I was able to take off for a bit before summer slips into full swing. It has been my experience that (usually, but not always) I welcome visitors to our area with more patience when I myself have had a chance to travel elsewhere.
I often make remarks here in print. I’m also a fan of constant reminders, and while I’ve said this before, it bears repeating: remember that we live in a beautiful place that people want to visit. Do your best (JON) to treat those coming to town with the same graciousness and kindness you’d hope to receive while travelling. Trails, rivers, roadways, etc. will all be busier for the next little bit, so be as tranquil as you’re able to be. Here’s to an easeful segue into summer.
In honor of this seasonal shift – and with it the uptick in road trips, cookouts/hangs with friends and hopefully the omnipresence of music. I reached out to a handful of trusted music lovers and received not-so-simple responses.
I asked an equal number of men and women, all fervent music fans, this super nebulous and constantly shifting question: what’s your favorite summer album? I imagine if I asked it again, I’d get a whole new set of albums from the same folks. Thus it goes, but for now, here are their picks in no particular order:
• Spoon’s “Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga”: Summer has always been a transitional time for me (likely a remnant from childhood) with lazy days spent wondering what the next thing will be or genuinely enjoying the moment. Spoon’s “Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga” embodies that liminal feeling. The album manages to balance the reflection of their earlier selves while exploring the future of their sound. Clocking in at 36 minutes in 10 songs, Spoon doesn’t waste any time with a truly wonderful album. The seven-track run from “You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb” to “Finer Feelings” go by quickly, with the easy-going nature from the studio chatter and the seamless track changes creating a welcoming, laid-back ambiance. Yet the more serious statement pieces like “The Ghost of You Lingers” don’t feel out of place. Looking back, “Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga” was a transitional album for the band as it opened the door for them to have more freedom in producing their own music and introduced them to a much wider audience. Also, who doesn’t love a three-piece brass section played at a barbeque?”
• Sonic Youth, “Murray Street”: This is SY’s jam band album they hinted at during ‘A Thousand Leaves’ a couple of albums prior. An underrated gem in their catalog, an album to get completely lost in. As close as SY ever got to “relaxing.”
• Beastie Boys – “Pauls’ Boutique” & “Ill Communication”: Same group, two very different albeit flawless records that conjure summer positivity, hanging with friends and straight-up chilling. Doesn’t hurt they were both released during summertime.
• Kyuss, “Welcome to Sky Valley”: A desert rock album fitting for a beach bonfire, a heavier version of mellow, suitable for your summer album needs.
• Beck, “Odelay”: An album that has been and will continue to be written about ad infinitum. When this dropped it was so fresh and original with something new to be discovered with every listen. Nerd summer party record, “Where it’s at” indeed.
• R.E.M., “Green:” The first album that came to mind, with little thought. I have fond memories of listening to this album while driving around Illinois in my friend’s convertible ’65 Mustang, listening to this cassette over and over. Or maybe it was “Document”? Either way, doesn’t matter. They’re both killer records.
• Bad Weather California “Sunkissed”: I think we would both agree this probably has a pretty good summer vibe to it.
• Other mentions: Ray Barbee/Tommy Guerrero types of upbeat instrumental records; dub and reggae like Lee Scratch Perry, Toots and the Maytals, Sly & Robbie or hip hop; De La Soul’s “De La Soul is Dead”; The Breeders “Last Splash”; the Beastie Boys’ “Check Your Head”; and Tom Petty, “Full Moon Fever.”
Thanks to all those that took the time to respond, and to the many I didn’t have space for, per the word count. That said, I’m still open to your suggestions, dear readers. I’d love to know what your responses would be – so email me below.
And, as always, reach out with questions, comments and gripes. Especially the gripes. KDUR_PD@fortlewis.edu
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