Cool Hunting

Following up on last week's post covering what music Tim, Seth and myself have been obsessed with recently, this week Josh, Evan and Summer weigh in with their personal chart-toppers.

Josh

Dimitri from Paris: Cocktail Disco
Perfect summer evenings with summer drinks require an appropriate infectiously fun soundtrack. Cocktail Disco sounds like Charlie's angels aboard the Love Boat—so over-the-top cheesy and so good it works. With 25 tracks including a cover of "Summertime" and Astrud Gilberto's version of her father's "The Girl from Ipanema," Dimitri's latest compilation is brimming with the "sweep-you-into-the-moment" appeal of disco. It's available from Amazon and iTunes.

Tracey Thorn: Out of the Woods
Tracey Thorn's voice has the warmth and depth of Annie Lennox, lending a similar haunting beauty to her laid back electro-pop recordings. Her second solo album after Everything But The Girl, Out of the Woods spans dance and folk with the skill of a musician who's been on the scene for well over two decades. Standouts like "It's All True" and "Grand Canyon" are retro '80s music that's ideal for chilling at home. Pick it up from Amazon or iTunes.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Every summer since "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" came out, the soundtrack manages to surface without fail. With power ballads, country tracks and classic rock and roll, Hedwig avoids the feel of a typical saccharine soundtrack with campy Bowie-style glam. A sing-along album from start to finish, it's an obvious roadtrip playlist. Get it from iTunes or Amazon.

Evan

The Dollyrots: Because I'm Awesome
If you can't tell from the album title alone, the Dollyrots make the kind of unapologetic pop punk that's irresistibly catchy and over-the-top. Pounding bass lines fleshed out with lush power chords and teeny-bopper vocals make this one a good pick for the gym. Get it from iTunes or Amazon.

SummerSeventySix

Black Moth Super Rainbow: Dandelion Gum
Superior head-nodding electronica, that leans heavily towards the use of the vocoder, which gets me every time. This is the third album from the Pittsburgh natives who have one of the best names around (closely followed by my other choices). "Forever Heavy" and "Drippy Eye are" standout tracks. It's available from their site or iTunes.

Cherry Ghost: Thirst For Romance
I was totally hooked by the single "People Help The People" and, for once, the long player lives up the promise. A stellar debut with hints of Doves and Wilco from Bolton band Cherry Ghost driven by the songwriting of frontman Simon Aldred. He's tipped by many in the U.K. to go a long way, which is something I heartily agree with. But it from iTunes U.K., CD Universe or Amazon.

Bellowhead: Burlesque
You think you know what English music is? Not until you've heard this you don't. Ten-piece folk orchestra Bellowhead peddle weird and wonderful rearranged versions of traditional English folk songs with enticing Monty Python-esque names like Fire Marengo and The Outlandish Knight. 30 year old Jon Boden is the talented man in charge and whips his charges into shape, concoting a heady brew of modern folk. Live, they are an absolute feast for the senses and are as tight as an anaconda's grip. Pick it up from Bellowhead or iTunes.