“Summer Soundtracks” by Lindsay Wiseman

So one of my favorite things about summer is driving down the interstate, windows down, and having a really great CD playing in the stereo and pouring out the windows for all the transporting world to hear. There is nothing quite like that. I sometimes believe it is the epitome of freedom that we, as young adults, experience.

These are some soundtracks that have defined numerous summers for me. Maybe they have for you as well. Regardless, I’d love for you all to share some of your summer soundtracks.  Maybe we’ll gain some more =)

1. Anberlin– Never Take Friendship Personal 

I first heard Anberlin the summer of 2005. I saw them twice in two months and was completely hooked. Needless to say, the rest is history. NTFP never left my stereo. Everything about that CD reminds me of the memories I made that summer.

2. Family Force 5– Business Up Front, Party In The Back

It’s just the perfect dance music that gets you pumped up for anything.  I don’t think I need to say much more.

3. Jonezetta– Popularity

I popped this song into my car stereo last summer on the way to the beach and it just stuck. It felt right. That CD is so liberating. Liberation is summer. I don’t know. It makes sense to me.

4. Mae– The Everglow

This CD had a March street date back in 2005 and I’m pretty sure I ended up buying it that May (how apropos). I was so blown away by it and the emotions it fueled within me that I couldn’t NOT listen to it. Tracks like “The Ocean” and “This Is The Countdown”  have great imagery attached to them, in my memory.

5. Underoath– They’re Only Chasing Safety

Same deal with Underoath. I think I actually bought these two CDs on the same shopping trip. I had just gotten over a breakup, and this CD seemed to fit that situation perfectly in my life. It seemed to ease all the confusion and heartache. It helped me get all my anger out in a pretty healthy way =P

6. Relient K– Two Lefts Don’t Make A Right, But Three Do

Alright, now this takes me back to my middle school years. “Chapstick, Chapped Lips, And Things Like Chemistry”? Yeah, that definitely spoke to me. The complexity and simple appearance of these songs is what made them so appealing and easy to identify with at the young age of 13. They were fun and easily became the soundtrack to every major event during those precious, tormenting years.

7. Five Iron Frenzy–The End Is Near