The Top 10 Albums for the Summer

I would venture to say its almost impossible to put together a "best" summer albums list given the extraordinary amount of music and only ten slots with which to fill with it. So, instead of calling this the "Best Summer Albums," we'll call it "Great Summer Albums." I'll try to give some newer music as well as some older to give a little balance.

Please, Please Me - The Beatles (1963)
The first Beatles album is a solid Summer choice. Filled with ballads of young love ("I Saw Her Standing There," "Love Me Do") and loose, party atmosphere rock sing-a-longs ("Twist and Shout"), Please. Please Me touches on a lot of what we all think of when we get into the idea of summer, and things that have made past summers so memorable.

Fleet Foxes / Sun Giant EP - Fleet Foxes (2008)
As I read in one review at the time, if Nature made music, it would sound just like Fleet Foxes. This won't be their only appearence on the list, but their debut album,as well as the accompanying EP Sun Giant, is a bullseye for some summer tunes. Every track can put you into some type of summer mood. Music at its finest.

The King is Dead - The Decemberists (2011)
The latest Decemberists album is a spot on entry for any summer playlist. Their newest installment to an ever-growing catalog is deeply routed in Americana folk traditions with a pinch of the archaic rooted Decemberists their fans have come to know and love. Seasonal Ballads ("January Hymn," "June Hymn"), apocalyptic scenarios ("The Calamity Song," "This is Why We fight"), and light, longing adoration ("Dear Avery"), The King is Dead fits right into what I'm looking forward to on a summer roadtrip.

Love and Theft - Bob Dylan (2001)
Possibly Dylan's best entry since his mid-'60s "Bobby Goes Electric" days and mid -'70s Blood on the Tracks. Many significant music styles make an appearance on the album. There's swing, blues, jazz, rock, and of course rock solid songwriting throughout which makes for an exceptional effort. Nevermind that the third track is aptly named "Summer Days."

In Between Dreams - Jack Johnson (2005)
Truth be told, any Jack Johnson album will fit exceptionally well into your summer playlist. In both his laid-back songwriting style as well as his topical matter, Johnson's music is about the most perfect fit you're going to find for the summer. Songs like "Banana Pancakes" and "Constellations" are shouting summer imagery and relaxation. And the love side -- "Better Together" and "Do You Remember" -- round out the summer love feel nicely. Again, any album will work.

Ukulele Songs - Eddie Vedder (2011)
Debuting this week, Eddie Vedder's new solo album is going to be a slam dunk for summer playlists. The sparse arrangement will feature only Vedder and his ukulele for the majority and will bring a nice, intimate project that gets lost in the full Pearl Jam arrangement; however good. Vedder's soundtrack album Into the Wild would also be a stellar choice for the list.

Raising Sand - Robert Plant and Allison Krauss (2007)
Combining rock guitar legend Robert Plant of Led Zepplin with bluegrass sweetheart Allison Krauss produced stunning results. Combining elements of classic folk, with rock n' roll, as well as traditional bluegrass gives the album a light country-rock sound. Adding to the mix are Krauss's awe-inspiring vocals which come through hauntingly gorgeous on both "Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us" and Tom Waits' cover "Trampled Rose."

Helplessness Blues- Fleet Foxes (2011)
The second appearence for Fleet Foxes on the list. Their new installment is another perfect entry into any summer music list. This album on one hand is just like 2008's Fleet Foxes, but on the other hand is a reinventing of the band. Complex melodies, the consistent Fleet Foxes approach of blending two songs into a single track, and Robin Pecknold's phenomenal, however reverb- blasted, vocals, Helplessness Blues fits keenly into your summer list.

Sigh No More - Mumford and Sons (2010)
Mumford and Sons, as one of my friends stated "are a little like Fleet Foxes, just without all the drenching reverb on the recording." While Mumford and Sons hail from London (and Fleet Foxes from Seattle), there is a similarity in their folky approach: well placed harmonies, catchy melodies, and a rocket to stardom.

Elephant - The White Stripes (2004)
For a little more of a rock feel for your summer listening pleasure, I'd go with The White Stripes' Elephant, though the bands previous release White Blood Cells would work just as well, if not better in certain circumstances. Displayed in the style that only Jack White could do, both albums are relatively reckless in their presentation, but have summer elements beyond the fact they are spirited rock albums. "We're Going to be Friends," "I Want to be the Boy to Warm Your Mother's Heart," and others evoke that same childhood and teen love feeling that have benn consistent in many of the entries. Of course, if you're more in the rockin' mood, there are plenty of chances on both albums.

By no means exhaustive, hopefully this list gets you rolling to a great summer of music. Happy Summer!