Nicole Atkins: Italian Ice (Album of the Week and Album of the Summer)

At various times in my daily life, my thoughts turn melancholy and overwhelmingly nostalgic for those halcyon days of listening to my crappy old AM Realistic Radio. It was 1978 when I got my first clock radio that was primarily used to wake me up for school. My mom was tired of me oversleeping so it made sense in practical terms.

But what I didn't expect was that little piece of junk was going to open me up to a world of music and set my mind, heart, and soul forever on the path of artistic righteousness. WLS was my church when I woke up, hung out with my friends in my room, and before I went to bed. My favorite artists today give me those same feelings that I had back in those amazing days of discovery of all the great bands from that time period.

New Jersey's own Nicole Atkins' latest release, Italian Ice, brings me right back to that 1978 bedroom in such an overwhelming fashion that I can barely cope with the waves of sentimentalism. Seriously, this record is shovel to the head stunning. The musical styles range from late '70s,/early 80's pop to soul music to an amalgam of Brill Building chic and psych-pop. It all mixes together in the most wonderful of ways.

Folks, this is your album of the Summer of 2020. Go outside, let the warm rays of sunshine wash over you, and listen to AM Gold warrior, Nicole Atkins!

Saint Etienne: Sumerisle (Summer Playlist Track #4)

It's raining today in the North Woods so I need some summer sunshine in the form of music. London's Saint Etienne has a great summer track off of their 2002 masterpiece, Finisterre. Sit back, listen, and dream of those beautiful rays, babies!

The Style Council: Long Hot Summer (Summer Playlist Track #3)

No summer playlist would be complete without this absolute gem from the summer of 1983 by Paul Weller's second band, The Style Council. Released as part of a four track EP called A Paris, "Long Hot Summer" instantly vaulted to seasonal anthem status. By coincidence the British summer heat wave of 1983, most notably July, turned out to be one of the hottest on record – something that would not have been known at the time the song was written and recorded. Serendipity!

The liner notes declared it would be played "everywhere on portable trannies for those of you who fall in love for the first time and out of love for the last..."

 

The Lovin' Spoonful: Summer In the City (Summer Playlist Track #2)

Even though it is mildly contrived, The Lovin' Spoonful's "Summer in the City" is essential to any summer playlist. It paints a stark portrait of their hometown of New York City on those scorching summer days.

 

The Zombies: Summertime (Summer Playlist Track #1)

With summer officially in swing, it's time to build that ultimate, summer playlist. Picking the first track is tough but look no further than this song from 1965 performed by The Zombies. This adaptation from the Gershwin musical, Porgy and Bess, is stellar and a perfect way to being your summer soundtrack.