Summer Tunes (halfway point)

Though it doesn't always feel like summer in San Francisco, when I get onto the 580/80 and head back into the city from the East Bay, I'm that it is.  As I make my way over the Bay Bridge, the dense fog starts to swallow up San Francisco and the temperature drops a good 12 degrees.  It's summer alright!  (Summer's in SF are typically August-October FYI.)

Though we're already halfway thru the summer, I don't have to go to school in the fall.  My schedule stays the same.  And I don't have to think about leaves falling off the trees, turning colors and then the nasty white shit falls from the sky.  Thank God I live in Northern California.  If it ever snows in San Francisco, I'll be on the next flight outta here and on my way to San Diego.  I left Minnesota for a reason.

For those of you baking in the heat back east, here's some good tunes that's had me enjoying my summer so far (some old, some new - and a note or two).  You can't find all of these on iTunes (Apple isn't always on top!) but most are on Legalsounds.  It beats paying $18 for an imported album.

Stone Temple Pilots - "Core" - Long Beach, CA - a classic 90's album

Kevin Rudolf - "To the Sky" - NY, NY (currently Miami) - this will keep you driving for hours.  Many of you probably remember his hit "Let It Rock."  This album will have you hooked.

Naomi - "The Big Shapes" - Germany - it's Pet Shop Boys meets Mute Math & the lighter side of Muse.

Example - "Won't Go Quietly" - UK - TripHop/HipHop/Electronica & Dance.  It's amazing and I have this one on repeat.  You won't be disappointed!  This is in the running for my favorite album of 2010.

Taio Cruz - "Rokstarr" - UK - A perfect blend of R&B, Hip-Hop & Dance.  I fell in love with Taio's musical style while in London last Thanksgiving and his first album "Departure." 

Robyn - "Body Talk Pt. 1" - Sweden - Of course this summer would NOT be complete without Robyn.  This album is incredible.  Especially "Fembot" and "None of Dem."  Cannot wait for "Body Talk Pt. 2" releasing in the UK September 6th!  A US release date has not been issued yet.

Backstreet Boys - "Black & Blue" - Orlando, FL - I'm sure it's due to their recent appearance at SF Pride that I started re-living my late high school and early college years... and I'm not ashamed to admit, I love the BSBoys.  And "Black & Blue" was highly underrated- all because it strayed away from their usual.