It’s October, but if it weren’t for the fact that the days are progressively getting shorter, I’d still think it was July. I don’t know how the weather is for you guys in Milwaukee, but its hot/humid as sh*t here in D.C. It was around this time 3 years ago that I was first introduced to the independent music scene. Someone told me to listen to the song “New Slang” by the Shins because it would “change my life”. His name was Zach…Zach Braff. Ok, I lie…I don’t know Zach Braff. But the Garden State soundtrack began my exploration of the virtual cornucopia of amazing artists and music that constitute the independent scene. I’ll be honest, that album bores me now, as my tastes have changed substantially. But you have to give credit where it’s due.

Anyways, there is a lot of great music out there. But, as Dan said, if you are relying on the billboard top 100, you are missing out. So, while the weather is still warm, and Summer lingers in our minds, I’m going to recommend my Top 5 Tracks of the previous few months (in no particular order).

1. Blitzen Trapper “Wild Mountain Nation”
2. Aesop Rock “None Shall Pass”
3. Okkervil River “Unless it Kicks”
4. Spoon “You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb”
5. Prodigy (of Mobb Deep) “Mac 10 Handle”

To be honest, a bunch of other songs are coming to mind…so I don’t know if those are the “top” tracks, but they are bombs nonetheless.