Dan Schultz

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s featured selection, chosen by Morning Show host John Richards, is “Angry Charlie” by Generationals from the 2009 album Con Law on Park the Van.

The idea of the summer song is one as old as youth. The notion that a particular song — sometimes an entire album — can shape or define the months between school, work, or cold weather. It is a powerful thought and the science behind such ideas would likely ruin the chemicals and imbalances at work within us all. It’s best to just to keeping tapping the ‘repeat’ button and enjoying what the music is giving you. Generationals certainly exhibit a penchant for enjoying the sounds of the warmer months, as Con Law is dripping in beachy production and breezy melodies that harnesses decades of summer moods. The New Orleans group won’t have you dreaming of white hot sand, salty air, and tanning beauties but Generationals do wrap up your summer evening memories in a soft blanket and with a hearty hug.

MySpace is the place to discover Generationals’ touring itinerary, which is only three dates long after a small jaunt through California and Texas. The remaining dates don’t find Generationals coming close to Seattle, since they were already here last month, so unless you have trips to Louisiana or Monolith Festival planned, you’ll have to just enjoy the funness contained in the video for “Angry Charlie”:

Just in time to cool down for the summer, Sigur Ros vocalist/guitarist Jon Thor Birgisson and his partner Alex Somers, aka Jónsi & Alex, who have been collaborating on visual art (and raw food recipes) for several years, are releasing their music debut, Riceboy Sleeps, today. Fans of Sigur Ros will definitely recognize the same frosty ambient tundra of the band’s quieter moments here on this release, which is also available as a limited boxset containing a bonus CD, a 40-page coloring book, wooden pencils, and the original Riceboy Sleeps hardback art book. Other chill new releases include the latest from The Fiery Furnaces, Magnolia Electric Co., Starlight Mints, The Skygreen Leopards, and Wye Oak, plus outstanding debuts from Generationals, Bad Veins, Soft Black, and Seattle’s Talbot Tagora. Also, Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs have fun on the second volume of Under The Covers, featuring potentially cheesy songs like “You’re So Vain,” “I’ve Seen All Good People,” and “Hello It’s Me,” and Epitaph has released the under-appreciated 2008 album Love Ire & Song from English folk/punk singer-songwriter Frank Turner. Check out Largehearted Boy’s list for the rest.