What Are You Listening To This Summer?

Drew Smith's Lonely Choir performing at Momo's in Austin, Tx. (austdan/Flickr)

We want to know what you’re listening to this summer. To start out, we asked Here and Now literary critic and self-confessed, drooling, fanatical rock fan Steve Almond what’s tickling his ears. Steve is the author of “Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life.” Leave your own suggestions below in our comment section.

Read: Excerpt from Steve Almond’s book when he first realizes he will never be Bruce Springsteen

Steve Almond will be performing his book “Rock & Roll Will Save Your Life: The Musical” with music– to include new songs from Toto, the Cars, Ike Reilly, and Dayna Kurtz.

Steve Almond’s Summer Favorites

Drew Smith’s Lonely Choir, “Silver Pictures”
Nicole Reynolds, “June”
Dan Bern, “The Fifth Beatle”
Head Like a Kite, “Always on the Wrong Side of Sunrise”
Damien Jurado, “Kansas City”

We welcome comments from all of our listeners. Post below. Please stay on topic and be civil. Comments may be moderated by us, but you are solely responsible for the content of your comments.

Henry Druschel

I’m listening to the brilliant new album from hip-hop group The Roots, How I Got Over.
Julie Leavitt

Lev Friedman’s music from his great CD, Breathing Still: When I am an Old Man, My Old Girlfriend, Not by Might.
http://www.levfriedmanmusic.com susan cammer

For Joyce

from Lev Friedman’s CD Breathing Free

A beautiful love song.
Amy Sands

I’m listening to Lev Friedman’s CD Breathing Still, esp. When I am an old man and River rolls by. The latter was written in memory of his father who died of alzheimer’s in the recent past, as did my Dad. I find Lev’s music and lyrics to be remarkably poignant.
Peggy Egan

My 3 and half year old daughter Alison loves Lev Friedman’s “When I am an Old Man” from his CD “Breathing Still”
http://www.revolutionary-spirits.com Jerry Bell

I was going to list my favourite bagpipe CD, but just saw these recommendations for ‘Breathing Still’ so went out and bought my own copy. I agree that Friedmans song ‘Old Man’ is quite brilliant and I have pushed my repeat all button and am listening to it for the fifth time!
meira appell

I think that Lev Friedman’s Breathing Still CD has amazing unpanned gold music.
http://lindayaelschiller.com linda schiller

we have been fans of lev friedman and his remarkable family for years, and love his cd Breathing Still – particularly listening to “breathing still”, “for joyce”, and “not by might”…actually all the songs are unique and range the emotional landscape.
http://www.levfriedmanmusic.com Donna

Lev Friedman’s Breathing Still, especially For Joyce, a love song that is real and validating for a change, Not by Might, which is uplifting, and When I am an Old Man – this last brings me to tears every time.
Vee

I am enjoying Lev Friedman’s You Walked Into My Life from his Breathing Still album.
http://www.levfriedmanmusic.com Barry Polsky

Lev Friedman’s remarkable CD “Breathing Still”.
When I want to laugh…”My Old Girlfriend”
When I feel romantic…”For Your Love”
When I want inspiration…”We Are One”
http://www.levfriedmanmusic.com Nancy Levy

In my car I often listen to Lev Friendman’s CD, “Breathing Still”. “River Rolls By” still brings me to tears. “We are one” is a favorite, especially when you have the pleasure of being at one of Lev’s concerts, and singing along.

Also, check out his daughters. Ari and Mia Friedman also preform in the Boston Area. Their first CD was “Lady and the Pants”. Their new work is amazing.
http://krisdelmhorst.com Jacob

Kris Delmhorst all the way, a subtle and powerful musician who’s always working on something new. She’s got a voice for every season, which is good when you’re lviing in New England!
http://www.larrycrane.com David Hanna

Larry Crane’s new album “Tropical Depression.”
http://www.levfriedmanmusic.com joel grossman

“Breathing Still” by Lev Freidman, a great singer/songwriter.
http://www.levfriedmanmusic.com joel grossman

“Breathing Still” by Lev Friedman (I sent this a few minutes ago but the page was still up with the boxes still filled in except for the comment box)
http://www.levfriedmanmusic.com Steven S

I have to agree that “Breathing Still” remains my (and my family’s) favorite. Lev & his family have provided us with numerous musical gems.
David Friedman

I have been listening to Lev Friedman’s beautifully-written and performed CD, “Breathing Still.” I especially enjoy the title song, “Breathing Still”, as well as “My old girlfriend,” and “When I am an old man.”
Eric Shin

I’m listening to “I AM COMPUTER” by Kool Keith… He has an interesting take on the dating scene…
Kathryn Lynch

Hanson’s new album, ‘Shout It Out’.
Big horns, tight harmonies, catchy hooks.
Perfect summer music.
susan meyer

Red Wire Black Wire, Breathing Fire, that is what I’m listening to. Play it and love it!
Lance A. Boyle, M.D

PIOBAIREACHD!
chris

Band of Skulls
http://www.kshaddock.com K.S. Haddock

“This is Happening” — LCD Soundsystem — Ironic pop, perfect for the beach or the house party.
“Strict Joy” — The Swell Season — Sweet but moody folsksy music with an Irish flare.
Crooked Family — my own band, with something for everyone, at kshaddock.com.
Pam

Ariana Delawari’s CD ‘Lion of Panjshir’ has been living in my CD player. A sort of Afghan Alanis Morrisette, this female artist is amazing! The entire CD is great, but I especially love “Be Gone Taliban.”
http://www.seasonsdesigngroup.com Bailey

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Not Lev

I have been listening to Lev “Look at Me” Friedman’s apparently most recent work entitled “I got my entire mailing list & family to post to the Here and Now website”. I’m afraid it’s not very entertaining!
Marc

I’m listening to the best album of the summer (possibly the year), the Black Keys “Brothers”…not a single dud on the whole LP, tight sound while still keeping their dirty blues core.
Dexter

I’ve had The Black Keys cranking. Love the new album Brothers.
Check out “Tighten Up”. You can hear the fusion of so many styles.
Twinky the Angel

Love Window View (7 Years) and The Spill Canvas. Window View is especially wonderful.
Ronn Gilbert

Puro Party! by Dr Loco’s Rockin’ Jalapeno Band
George Hannah

I have been listening to a band called Split Lip Rayfield and their newest album is “I’ll Be Around”
Chris Oneal

“Sally Ford and the Sound Outside” has been on my mp3 player all spring going into summer now.
Stephen Schlaack

I’ve been listening to Blockhead a lot lately. Specifically their song “The Music Scene”. Really catchy with a great beat.
Betty

Loving Saint-Saens Organ Symphony, #3.
http://www.levfriedmanmusic.com Rick Fentin

Still Breathing by Lev Friedman

He sang “Not by Might” at my son’s Bar Mitzvah. A beautiful, spiritual, hopeful song
Mars

Radio Dept “clinging to a scheme”

breezy, comforting melancholy pop. Labeled as “dream pop” by most but it really elevates to that awesome feeling of taking a random midweek vacation day from work, waking up, putting a favorite record on, and cooking a breakfast feast in boxers only-pop

check my band The Drought (chamber pop folk)
http://www.droughtmusic.com
http://www.levfriedmanmusic.com Ellen Foust

I play Lev Friedman’s music in my car. The CD is Breathing Still and the song is track 4. I think its called “For Your your Love.” I often push the back arrow and listen to it many times in a row.
http://www.levfriedmanmusic.com Cece Fins

“Breathing Still” CD by Lev Friedman is a complete joy to listen to….whichever song I am listening to becomes my favorite in the moment.
BJ Harris

Listening to another great Seattle band, “Awesome” (http://www.awesometheband.com). Try their “Beehive Sessions” for a taste. For musicality, breadth, unapologetic zaniness, hidden wonders they are hard to rival.
Rick Aronson

I’ve been listening to Jason Molina’s slow, plaintive rocker, Don’t Fade On Me, from SOJOURNER by Magnolia Electric Company. From the restrained hurricane of the electric guitar to the haunting first words, “Darlin’ you faded on me…”, this song hooks you in and never lets go. Right now, this CD is only available as a 21-song mp3 album. It may be MEC’s last, and it’s worth every penny; a little-known gem.
Deacon Gray

I found a guy who goes by DUB FX, and after watching his video on youtube called Love Someone and another call Flow I was simply floored. While the genre isn’t my normal music, the skill and talent blew me away.

I would love to hear an interview with this guy, though, as a guy who loves street performance and travel it might be hard to do. I cannot urge you enough to check out Dub FX and watch the street performance and you too will be as unexpectedly pleased as I was.
Evan

Hale Eddy–the new album, Lent. Best yet.
Ruven Liebhaber

“When I’m and Old Man” and “My Old Girlfirend” are two of my favorites from Lev Friedman’s Breathing Still CD. A poignant kick and a reflective chuckle.
Devon Weinman

Peter Bernstein, John Williams, Percy Faith ‘Summer Place’ and of course Glenn Miller.
Marie

She & Him – seeing them at House of Blues Thursday, can’t wait!
Clay

Anything by PORCUPINE TREE !
Nate Alterman

One of my favorits is

My Old Girlfriend

by Lev Friedman from his Breathing Still album
Marilyn Stern

Slow down and Not by Might on Lev Friedman’s “Still Breathing” CD
Cayton Waller

I am listening to Slightly Stoopid’s “Closer to the Sun” off of their 2005 Album of the same name. Anything by these guys (from Ocean Beach, CA)is amazing. Also others on my playlist include anything from Pepper, Iration, The Expendables, Matisyahu, Sublime, 311, Toko Tasi, Bargain Music, Ozomatli, Dispatch, The Dirty Heads and Rebelution. All are amazing bands…check em’ out!
Bob Beutler

Sorry, I have become bored with, what seems to me, to be the sort of one dimensional guitar bands and Rap groups that makes up most of today’s US popular music.
As an example, where are the horn sections and lush melodies?
I have become involved with Ballroom/Latin and Swing dancing recently – and this has opened up for me the incredible world of the popular and dance music of the 1930s and 1940s and 1950s – and the mastery that those musicians had of their craft.
For sure, there are musicians and groups today that possess this level of talent that I find very enjoyable to listen to – such as Chris Botti, Diana Krall, Pick Martini, Sting and Michael Buble etc.
http://www.levfriedmanmusic.com Bonnie Power

Breathing Still by Lev Friedman – Summer Storm
http://www.levfriedmanmusic.com Jan Herzog

I never get tired to listening to Lev Friedman’s CD “Breathing Still”. It’s my favorite gardening music!
http://www.familytherapytrainingboston.com Liz Brenner

I listen to Lev Friedman’s CD Breathing Still more than any other music I own. For Your Love, River Rolls By and Summer Storm are my favorite tracks.
Steph

I will be listening to the soundtrack to Repo – The Genetic Opera. Even though not all of the songs in the movie are on the CD, and those that are on the CD aren’t arranged sequentially, every time I listen to the soundtrack, I’m struck by the cleverness of the lyrics and arrangements. To me it’s like reading a good book; each time around, I uncover some little jewel I didn’t notice before.
ERCantor

I’m listening to the new album by The National, High Violet. It’s the latest in a series of excellent records.
Tom F

I’ll buck the trend slightly here from singer/songwriter types and put a vote for Canadian legends Rush. They have a new single out called “Caravan” which is great driving music. They will also be touring this summer – first stop is tonight in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
GOODWILLIE

The cosmic loss/regained of Gene Clark’s “Strength of Stings”

http://www.mediafire.com/?gwotlqnzkea
Jan

I’m listening to The National’s “High Violet,” and Jews and Catholics’ “Who Are? We Think We Are.” Love these!Terrific new albums!
Zach

I’m listening to Marry Me, the debut album from artist St. Vincent. On the surface she doles out up-beat original pop apt for singing along and foot tapping. However, after taking time to think about and understand her lyrics I realized just how warped her jovial tunes can be.
Savannah Seithel

I really like happy music that isn’t all about sex or broken hearts. Right now I’m all about these:

Bright As Yellow by The Innocence Project
Silver Lining by Rilo Kiley
Naked as We Came (Which is not what it sounds like) by Iron & Wine
And, on a sorta sadder note, Boy With a Coin, also by Iron and Wine
also Buzzer by Dar Williams.

:) I’m rarely without music on.
Vicki

I’ve been listening to the vocal group Naturally 7. They have a relatively new cd that I like very much.
Olivia Ragan

Better days by Eddie Vedder. To be on the soundtrack of the new movie Eat, Pray, Love.
judith friedel

i’ve been enjoying the new release by ‘the rescues’. my favorite song: ‘break me out’, but there are several great cuts.
Rosalind Fournier

You must hear this.

It’s part song, part skit and musically brilliant: “Fountains of
Wayne Hotline” by Robbie Fulks. He’s really more of a country singer, but the premise of this song is that he’s struggling with a song and calls a fictional hotline for help. The hotline is supported by people who give advice based on what the group Fountains of Wayne would do. Kind of reminds me of Don Music from “Sesame Street” pounding on his keyboard and yelling “I’ll never get it!”
Robert Juengst

Befitting the times, I’ve been concentrating on South African music and one need look no further than Miriam Makeba. The Essential Recordings, to be exact. If you only taste one cd of South African music, this is the one. An unparalleled songstress, she’ll have you dancing in nothing flat.
Fardan

I’m listening to Flobots “Airplane Mode”….
Lew Breeze

I’m listening Audra’s “Everything Changes”. This being the album from Audra, was released in 2009. For me highlights are Syd Barrett, What’s Meant To Be, Life On This Planet. Give them a listen! Think U2 with Peter Murphy, or Joy Division. Enjoy!
Lew Breeze

Correction: Sentence should read “This being the third album”…Audra are at http://www.myspace.com/audra
lee john

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
JasonIsbell.com
Cindy

This summer I’m listening to “Grow Away” by Trucker (www.truckerrocks.com)

Every third Friday of the month they are releasing a new single and I’ve enjoyed every one!
Shoshana

Breathing Still is one of my favorite CDs. My favorites are You Walked Into My Life, and the title track. The songs give groove and hope.
judi goodman

“Breathing Still” by Lev Friedman…….a beautiful album I love. Almost every song can touch me for whatever mood I may be in.
roberta hirsch

Can’t say enough about Lev Friedman’s “Breathing Still”. It addresses life in all it’s stages. Listening has made me laugh, cry and most of all think about what it means to be human. I honestly love all the songs but my favorites are “Breathing Still” “Not By Might” and “River Rolls By”. It’s a stellar CD!
Garry Nelson

We’re listening a lot to Lev Friedman’s Breathing Still – a really sweet album with great lyrics and super finger picking – we especialy like the title tune, Not by Might and the River Rolling
Check it out – I’ve alrady gotten 3 cds for my friends
Cayton Waller

I have sampled Lev’s work and in my opinion he’s not that great. At best he is a mediocore folk singer who likes to dabble a bit outside his genre. But to each their own.
Douglas Whitbeck

I’ve been listening to Buffy Sainte-Marie’s new CD — Runing for the Drum. And it absolutely blows me away after several listens.

When you put that CD into your player, HOLD ON. Her music has certainly kept up with the times, though there are some beautifully done (and calmer) romatic pieces there as well.
Douglas Whitbeck

Got get that “n” fixed. Sorry!

I’ve been listening to Buffy Sainte-Marie’s new CD — Running for the Drum. And it absolutely blows me away after several listens.

When you put that CD into your player, HOLD ON. Her music has certainly kept up with the times, though there are some beautifully done (and calmer) romantic pieces there as well.
Diane Wright

Since its release, I listen regularly to “Breathing Still” by Lev Friedman.
My two favorite cuts are the title track and “For Your Love”, although every song moves me.
Diane Wright
http://www.levfriedmanmusic.com alice fichtelberg

I,too have recently discovered Lev Friedman. “Breathing Still” is a joy. Many faves, especially My Old Girlfriend.
http://eger-musicpictures.blogspot.com Dave Eger

Just have to say I wasn’t really wowed with any of the music that Almond played. It was alright, but nothing that really stood out.

Lately I’ve really enjoyed listening to:
The Dead Weather
Buffalo Springfield
Washington Phillips
Judith Weiler

Lev Friedman’s “Breathing Still” CD is one of my new favorites. I listen to a lot of Folk Music, both old and new.
Ian Chalmers

“Armada Latina” from Cypress Hill. Along with Pitbull, Cypress Hill raps over the last section of CSN’s “Suite Judy Blue Eyes”. Flashback fodder of us old farts, bouncy and summery beat, and the rappers just having some grins. Check out the video on YouTube and catch Steve Stills on guitar toward the end.
Susan L D Shamblin

Gaelic Storm always gets a lot of play! Steeleye Span, Pentangle and Fairport Convention get lot of summer play and bring back memories of the 60s & 70s. Broken Bells is currently getting a lot of play time. Metal Drums by Patty Larkin is a summer must.
Susan L D Shamblin

Okay, I have been trying to post since last week but what I wrote never got posted. This weekend I got to thinking about the comments being moderated and that there are some key words that may get you automatically kicked out so I wrote the above leaving out the one artist that is a favorite of favorites and the post made it. I tried another post with the name and it did not make it. So, there is a wonderful Canadian musician singer songwriter named Bruce, last name starts with a C, has eight letters and ends with n. Some of his songs are “Wondering Where the Lions Are”, “If I Had a Rocket Launcher”, “Lovers in a Dangerous Time” and “If a Tree Falls”. If I could only listen to one artist, it would be Bruce C.
Sheila Craig

Katie Mellua!
Clyde Gundelfinger

Digging the hilarious tunes on “Analog Brain In A Digital World” by Greg Tamblyn, especially the title tune, and “Common Side Effects Include.” Song samples on his site:
http://gregtamblyn.com/analogbraincd.html
Marsha

I love listening to Breathing Still, For Joyce, and Not by Might on Lev Friedman’s CD. The whole CD is great–it was hard to pick out just a few songs. I also enjoy Bill Staines, Priscilla Herdman, Joan Baez and Bob Dylan.
http://www.provincetownwhales.com skott daltonic

i’ve been listening to the new Pernice Brothers CD, Goodbye, Killer on repeat.

.
http://www.stewarttheband.com/ Joan Tarka

‎Enjoying Stewart (the band) ‘s new album “Kicks” . . . clever lyrics and references to pop culture as well as catchy tunes you’ll find yourself humming.
Sarah

I am obsessed with the Avett Brothers. My car’s CD player is filled with their CDs. They cover so many moods, memories, and genres. Who needs anything else?
tboy ynot

LCD Soundsystem – This is Happening. How could you not dance to this one. James Murphy might be god – nervous, self-effacing god, but god, nonetheless.

Avi Buffalo – Avi Buffalo. Very summery. Kind of like Neil Young with a little tighter guitar and layers of background vocals. Check out, “What’s In It For Me”, for starters.
James

I’m Listening to “Let Me Die In Southern California” by The Voyces.
Jim

I’m listening to Slipknot, “Duality”
Deron Lampe

the album of the summer for me is the archandroid by janelle monae. she has a brilliant voice/prescence and is destined for great things
also lcd soundsystem this is happening….hey robin give me a call, i have several more selections and would love to be on your show, you have a great voice
Rachel V

Carolina Chocolate Drops “Genuine Negro Jig”