Songs have seasons. In autumn listeners long for transitional songs, while in winter the ear tends to hibernate with softer, folkie odes of melancholy. Spring inspires renewal and rebirth, so bring on the pop-anthems. But it's the sounds of summer that are the true soundtracks of the year.
This year's contenders for the season kicks off with The Gossip releasing Music For Men via Columbia Records on June 23. The $300,000 album was recorded in Rick Rubin's Malibu retreat. Also, Regina Spektor's Far, The Lemonheads Varshons, Dinosaur Jr.'s Farm, The Mars Volta's Octahedron and Alexisonfire's Old Crows/Young Cardinals are all released June 23. For those who recall their magical show at Alderney Landing a few years ago, or more recently their opening slot for Neil Young, Wilco's self-titled album arrives June 30. Also The Fiery Furnaces' I'm Going Away and Bone Thugs N Harmony's Uni5 sit on the shelf with Chicago's finest. Those rugged westerners The Rural Alberta Advantage releases Hometowns July 7 and Miss Derringer releases Winter Hill while Time and Distance's album Gravity arrives July 14.
For those who love driving with the top down with cheesy top 40 blasting through the speakers, Sugar Ray releases Music For Cougars July 21. But of more interest to those who have a local heart, The Prospector's Union drop their debut Sycracuse, and Dog Day's seven-inch---featuring four new songs produced by Rick White---arrive on the scene July 21. Ever-expanding super group The Got To Get Got release Sahalee July 28 alongside York Redoubt's self-titled record, Kestrel's Primary Colours and Milks and Rectangles' self-titled.
And further along as well as further away, just as the lazy days of summer draw to a close, Interpol's Paul Banks releases a solo record with his alter-ego Julian Plenti taking the credit August 4. According to Billboard magazine, Banks has written and performed under the moniker for the past decade, but most importantly the album promises to deliver the cocksure sexiness expected from Interpol's frontman.