Death Cab, Rihanna bring the heat with hot summer releases

September 03, 2008
By Nicole Calcagno
A&E Writer

One of the best parts of summer is having that quintessential summer album that you listen to on the beach, in the car, or at a barbecue. With a song with a good beat you hear out at the clubs or lyrics that can make you think on a quiet summer day, the perfect summer album is something to which you cannot stop listening.

Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs

Rihanna - Reloaded www.music.aol.com

My personal biggest addiction this summer is “Narrow Stairs” by Death Cab For Cutie. This is the sixth album from this band that some may say are “indie” or “emo,” or maybe even obscure. This is not one of your typical mainstream bands-- or at least they have not been until the success of this album. Death Cab For Cutie has been a band since 1997, but has been under the radar. Ben Gibbard, the lead singer, is also the mastermind behind The Postal Service, which had the popular song “Such Great Heights.” The thing I like most about “Narrow Stairs” is the lyrics. For example, the lead single “I Will Possess Your Heart” floored me the first time I heard it. The song itself has a very long introduction, but the buildup in the song is fantastic. The whole album is really enjoyable, melodic, and is the best thing that this band has put out. Other notable songs are “No Sunlight,” and “Cath...” I highly recommend giving this album, and band, a try.

My second pick for a great summer album is “Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded” by Rihanna. This is her third album and probably her biggest hit. It shows how versatile Rihanna as an artist can be. The album originally came out in 2007 featuring the hits “Umbrella,” “Shut Up And Drive,” “Hate That I Love You” which features Ne-yo, and “Don’t Stop The Music.” “Umbrella” has great lyrics and just took over the charts. “Don’t Stop The Music” is a great club song. The album was re-released in June, and that took it to the next level. The additions of “Take A Bow,” “Disturbia,” and “If I Never See Your Face Again” with Maroon 5 have made this one of my all time favorite albums. You can dance to this album, you can relate to the love songs on it, and really, once you listen, you won’t be able to put it down.