Labor Day Summer Music Roundup

What happened this summer? I waited and waited, but we had no big-time jams this year that really defined summer 2008. Think back to the last couple of years. Summer 2007 had Rihanna's "Umbrella." The year before, Gnarls Barkley came out with "Crazy." This year, three songs come to mind when I think about the big singles, but not one of them stands taller than the rest. It's useful, too, to lump these three songs together because each one pays homage, whether deliberately or not, to other big hits.

Top 3 Songs of the Summer of 2008

3. "All Summer Long" - Kid Rock

Kid Rock took uncreativity to new heights with this song. And that's saying a lot for a guy who within this decade has been responsible for both "American Badass" and Uncle Kracker. This is the song that most obviously pays homage to another, much bigger song, "Sweet Home Alabama." Frankly, it's a wonder this song ever got big. If the hook of your song references one of the five most overplayed songs in the history of Western civilization, it shouldn't even be recorded, let alone be getting play in clubs and grocery stores in Sweden.

2. "I Kissed A Girl" - Katy Perry

Jill Sobule did it way better 13 years ago, AND her video featured Fabio.

1. "Paper Planes" - M.I.A.

My favorite of the three, far and away, and not just because it samples The Clash's "Straight To Hell." The song is catchy, makes for good dancing and features gun shots in the hook. That's the exact formula for success I've been preaching for years, now. Bonus points: M.I.A. toured this year with Holy Fuck and The Cool Kids.

My Personal Summer Jams

The Bake Sale - The Cool Kids

I've had this record on repeat all summer. When I listen to it in five years, it will immediately take me back to being in Chicago, Store 'til 4 on a Sunday night. Newer stuff available for download on their Myspace site.

Looking Forward To Fall

Kings of Leon are releasing their new record, Only By The Night, in late September. Chances are good that this will be my go-to listening all the way through New Year's. Two new songs are posted on their Myspace site. You can also check out their video for "Sex On Fire" there. Great song, awful video.

The New Whip

I got this boss hog with extra fat tires to cope with these harsh Swedish winters. Plus, the cobblestones in the Old Town sit about three-quarters of an inch apart, and that trips me out. Dig it!

Ankommer Till Lund

Hey y'all,



I'm going to try my best to keep frequent updates of my carryings-on in Sweden on this blog. We'll see how it goes. In the meantime, I've been in Sweden for a couple of days now, and -- true to form -- I've been partying and acting up. Those pictures are forthcoming. For now, here are a few photos from my arrival:

The first night, I CouchSurfed with a chap living a bit north of Lund. Actually, he lived in the middle of nowhere, as may or may not be evident from this photo. Not Chicago, anyway. But...

...he DID have a rad projector, perfect for watching the Olympics. The mannequins had been found the week before in a dumpster outside of a store. When I awoke in the middle of the night and saw those two things standing there in the dark, I kinda freaked.

The village, Eslöv, was hosting a quiz game, apparently. Like I can read this nonsense (yet).
This last photo is actually from Lund. Dig it.