Some Alternatives to the Summer of Rock

I admit it - I'm weak.  Somewhere around Memorial Day weekend, that damn Kid Rock song got lodged in my head.  A so-called music blogger should know better, but "All Summer Long" is just so easy - take two easy rockin' classics that have inexplicably never gone out of style ("Werewolves of London" and "Sweet Home Alabama"), throw in some nostalgic rhymes about teenage love and gettin' high, shoot a video with some bikini babes and booze cruisin', then watch the cash roll in.  The track is already dominating FM radio, hit #1 in Europe this week (a first for the decidedly American Kid Rock) and brought the accompanying album back into the top 10 on the US charts. 

Maybe it's too late, but with two months left in the season, I'm not gonna throw in the towel.  My summer song of 2008 will NOT be one that rhymes "things" with "things."  So, despite the fact that I listened to it three times while writing this post, tonight I offer a few Rock-less alternatives for your next beach day, BBQ or rooftop shindig. I don't necessarily love all these songs, but I'm being realistic here.  Please, just think about it. For me.

1. Jason Mraz - "I'm Yours": Mraz went the acoustic route on We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things and where his shtick used to be somewhat grating, the new Jack Johnson-like vibe is pretty chill and tailor made for flip flop weather.  The song is up to #32 on the Hot 100.  Ask your girlfriend - she loves this song.

2. Metro Station - "Shake It": Simple message, catchy tune.  We could do worse.

3. Ne-Yo - "Closer": He's already vying for the "new Usher" crown with Chris Brown, and though this track has been around a while, it reached a new high of #17 on the Hot 100 this week.  Ne-Yo's the closest thing to a Michael Jackson we've got these days, and don't kid yourself, that's still a good thing.

4. Shwayze - "Buzzin'": Hip hop for hippies - and have you seen the album cover?  Grab a 40 oz and hit the beach.

5. The Hold Steady - "Sequestered in Memphis": I can dream, can't I?

Comments

[LPK]

I caught Kid Rock on the radio this morning-one of the more "popular" radio stations in New York. The song is catchy in that you already know some of the words and the other words you can guess because of the lack of creativity.

I did check out the other songs and I would highly recommend them over Kid Rock! Of course, I think the Beach Boys might be better summer music.