A Summer in Song

With a season drawing to a close, the crisp bite of autumn on the air, I find myself looking to seize the last few moments of summer. In my opinion, the best way to do that is through the songs that have gotten you through the past few months. For me, this summer has been mellow though far from mundane, and believe the soundtrack reflects it.

The season started early this year, with the release of “Her Diamonds”, off Rob Thomas’ new album, Cradlesong. A bittersweet musing with touches of anguish and sanguinity, and backed by simple electronic rhythm, the song brings to life the meditative nuances of what is mostly a carefree season.

Balancing Thomas’ melancholy tone is Michael Franti and Spearhead, with “Say Hey (I Love You).” Admittedly, this is a bit of a cheat for this summer’s soundtrack, but I figure that the 2008 release began charting these past few months, so it still applies. Franti’s mix of reggae beats and smooth rock come together in this billboard dynamo, immediately filling the mind with scenes of simple romance and walks on warmer beaches. Simply, this song is a uniquely and distinctly happy song.

Not to be ignored or outdone, the Black Eyed Peas came up with not just a song, but a record of summery goodness. However, featured song “I Gotta Feeling” off the band’s newest album, The E.N.D. (The Energy Never Dies), sums up the spirit of the season’s energy. The wildly creative synth-hop and energetic lyrics capture a night anyone would be dream of.

Book-ending this summer’s score is “Bonfire” from Third Eye Blind. The soft acoustic sounds in this song of change and all that comes with it serves to compliment the changing of the guard as fall approaches. It holds all the hope of the stars and the defeat of the passing of time.

Mellow, yes; but far from boring. This summer in song has had a full range of sound and emotion, representing a soundtrack greater than the sum of its parts. If autumn is holding anything half this good, maybe the shorter days can’t come too soon.