Five Great Albums Released This Summer

With summer drawing to a close it will soon be time to slip on long-sleeve shirts and dig out those Autumn albums - you know the ones that are a bit more laid back, yet not quite morose. But before you go rifling through those CDs, records, or iTunes playlists for some alt-country gems, or solid folk tunes, here's five great albums that were released during the summer of 2008 for your perusal. Maybe they can remind you of the months just passed, maybe they can serve as a the soundtrack to one final beach trip, or maybe you just need something a little more energetic to act as your daily soundtrack as you head back to school or watch the days grow shorter.

Static Radio NJ - An Evening of Bad Decisions...
Before this album Static Radio NJ were just another faceless melodic hardcore band trying to fight their way out of the heap and reach the heights of former greats like Kid Dynamite. With An Evening, all of that changed. The "hardcore" has been pushed to the back, while the "melodic" has taken center stage. It's an energetic thrill ride through punk's various sub-genres (pop-punk, street-punk, hardcore, etc.) that has sing-a-longs at every turn. Summer highway drives were meant to have albums this fast and up-beat blasting, while the wind from the open winds pushes back your hair.

The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
I don't think The Hold Steady have ever made a misstep and Stay Positive continues that tradition. While the band's signature sound is still intact - big classic rock guitars, plenty of keys, and front-man Craig Finn's poetic rants - the band's fourth album saw them branching out and dabbling in other genres outside of the Springsteen-inspired bar-rock they had already perfected. Hints of backwoods folk, new-wave, and indie all creep up here and work extremely well. This is an album that covers your summer nights and days with songs that strike powerfully with an optimistic glee, and others that kick back and watch the night come on with a drink in hand.

Off With Their Heads - From the Bottom
Off With Their Heads have been around for a few years now steadily cranking out a number of wonderful 7 inches and the fantastic Hospitals EP, but From the Bottom marks their first foray into full-length territory. The band didn't change things up much with their debut long-player, but that's quite alright. See, no one has the pop-punk niche under control as well as these guys do right now. Following in the footsteps of Midwestern-punk stalwarts, Dillinger Four, Off With Their Heads present a gruff and ramshackle take on pop-punk, one that interjects tales of drugs and alcohol with the usual broken heart laments. Still, what makes the band so great is that they employ the sun-soaked melodies and simple structure of west coast punk acts to liven things up a bit. The result is an energetic middle-finger of an album that can rock a party just as well as your daily commute.

Oxford Collapse - Bits
Oxford Collapse have always produced summer music. Their detailed and quirky take on indie-rock has always been stamped with smiles and Bits, the band's fourth album is no different. Yes, the yelping vocals and free-roaming song structures have been toned down, but what has emerged instead is fantastic songs. Part jangle, part bounce, part reckless abandon, the songs here are created by three dudes that have never lost a sense of childhood. The musicianship is stellar and the melodies are high-caliber, despite the sense of "one take only" that pervades this album. Everything on Bits is wide-eyed and fun, which makes for a fantastic summer listen whether you are lounging pool side or pounding a few brews at a barbecue.

Human Highway - Moody Motorcycle
Lastly comes an album that was made for those that appreciate a more laid-back summer. Human Highway manage to combine '60s folk-pop with a bit of beach-bum ease and classic-rock. The songs here are all relaxed and casual, like a campfire session with two talented musicians. The guitar playing is never overpowering as it gently sways, while the vocals feature simply amazing harmonies that recall CSN&Y's finer moments. Yes, this is that album meant to be played on your iPod while you sit on the beach, or on a small stereo while you sip a cold beverage on your porch. You won't find anything else released this summer that is so charming and sunny.