Mid-Year Checkup: The Musical Edition

Photo by avem via Flickr

By @ronbronson

Judging from the thermometer today, it's summer if I hadn't noticed it before. With a bevy of new releases, I've been trying to keep up while entertaining the usual summer shenanigans of road trips, work and visiting family. So what's been playing in the Casa de Ronaldo? Let's take a gander, shall we?

Disclaimer: I'm the one in the group who has the most disparate and wide ranging tastes. So this is probably isn't going to be full of fun summer music, because I don't even know what mine would be if I had to decide. Probably something dour. But I'm sure the other members of the crew will come up clutch in that respect.

In any case, let's get going.

Fiona Apple - The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do


The first time I heard this album,, I just wasn't sure what to make of it. It's not summer music, to be honest. At least in that upbeat, dance around the house in the whee hours with your friends kind of way. It's far more introspective, but it's a Fiona Apple album, so you expected that if you knew anything about her previous catalog. The Idler Wheel is challenging. It's acquired taste music that I suspect most people are going to avoid. But if you're willing to play it a few times and sit with it over your favorite drink, you'll probably discover (and enjoy) the complexities and dare I say it, maturity -- throughout this release.

It's grown-up music of the first order, but still decidedly Fiona. I'm glad she's back.

Zulu Winter - Language




I know I said I wasn't going to be posting any "summer music" but this fits that category well. Zulu Winter is a cross being Coldplay and Foster The People. I read that somewhere and it seemed to be about right to me; when I first heard it I thought of Chris Martin immediately. It's a fun album to play in the background and works whether you're driving the car, cleaning the house or sitting in the office.

Princeton - Remembrance Of Things To Come




I stumbled upon this album a few months ago. I like it. I don't really know what else to say about it. Press play and decide for yourself. It's indie-pop that works really well, even if you've never heard of the group.

The Walkmen - Heaven


Here's the title track from this Walkmen's new release. It'll remind you of bygone rock and roll.

In closing, I've just thrown together a playlist of some summer tunes from 2012 new releases I've been tuning into. You can play it here or subscribe to it via Spotify.


Stay cool and enjoy your summer!