Summer Albums Past & Present

(I don’t like how this page is centered either but I don’t make websites so deal with it)

(1999) The Living End - The Living End

What a sweet punk album from our Australian friends. I went with Ruben to Warped Tour ‘99 in the Kingdome parking lot just to see these guys. Probably a “defining moment” of my life, and led to a slew of other great summer albums for the same year. Solhiem, I’m really sorry that another year passed and we didn’t trade CD’s. That was last Friday, in case you forgot…

Other noteables: Blink182’s “Enema of the State” and Pennywise’s “Straight Ahead”

(2000) NOFX - Pump Up the Valuum

I listened to this for most of the summer in 2000, not that it really has any redeeming “summer” qualities that would make it live up to such a title. At this point I was still exploring the back catalog of many punk bands, so the listening from this year is outdated for the most part. This was the first album that I acquired by downloading it off the internet in full. Actually, Andrew did because he was the only person I knew with a CD burner.

Other noteables: Pennywise’s “Unknown Road,” Blink182’s “Dude Ranch,” and “Punk in Drublic” & “So Long and Thanks For All the Shoes” from NOFX

(2001) Osker - Idle Will Kill

Before I heard this album I wasn’t emo. Now I am. Thanks a lot Devon. Besides being one of the best “summer” albums of all time, this is also my favorite album of all time, regardless of season. I listened to this absolutely non-stop all summer and really haven’t ever stopped. This album is definitely FTW.

Other noteables: Pennywise’s “Land of the Free?,” Rufio’s “Perhaps, I Suppose,” Yellowcard’s “One For the Kids,” Death By Stereo’s “Day of the Death,” and Osker’s “Treatment 5″

(2002) Taking Back Sunday - Tell All Your Friends

So now I am entering my senior year of high school and I am emo. I first heard “There’s No I in Team” on KGRG and knew that I was destined to be alone for the rest of my life. Well ok not really but this summer also housed the best show of all time: Taking Back Sunday, Brand New, Rufio, and Gatsby’s American Dream at the old Paradox in the U-District.

Other noteables: Brand New’s “Your Favorite Weapon,” and Thursday’s “Full Collapse”

(2003) Brand New - Deja Entendu

You knew this one was coming. Honestly, I don’t remember listening to anything else during that entire summer (no, I hated Ocean Avenue after 4 listens).

(2004) Atmosphere - Seven’s Travels

This was released in ‘03 but I didn’t listen until ‘04. Awesomly fun album to play loud in the car with the windows down.

Other noteables: Modest Mouse’s “Good News for People Who Love Bad News,” and From First To Last’s “Dear Diary, My Teen Angst Has a Body Count”

(2005) Fingers-Cut, MegaMachine! - Fingers-Cut, MegaMachine!

Wow, I drew a huge blank trying to think of any albums from this year that I listened to during the warm months. Have I completely blocked out this part of my life? Good thing I save the text files from my Top 10’s.

Other noteables: Minus the Bear’s “Menos El Oso,” The Bled’s “Found in the Flood,” and Eisley’s “Room Noises”

(2006) The Early November - The Mother, the Mechanic and the Path

Other noteables: Taking Back Sunday’s “Louder Now,” UnderOath’s “Define the Great Line,” and Saves the Day’s “Sound the Alarm”

What 2007 Will Hold

Clipse - Hell Hath No Fury

I can’t wait to blast this obnoxious shit with the windows down

Phoenix - It’s Never Been Like That

I was driving and listening to “Consolation Prizes” and it was sunny and I instantly decided this was a perfect summer album.

…and probably many more. I need to get a new stereo put in my car, as my CD player is currently a piece of shit. Thanks for reading! Definitely leave a comment with any memories of favorite summer albums that you might have!