I LOVE the Usher song and was just saying so in here the other day. I have no love for Britney's "Toxic" and despite myself I like "Slow Jamz". Still Usher wins easily in my voting. "Yeah" is the "Rock Your Body" of this year in my head.

Anyone heard of Visqueen? Amazon.com loves them, and I loved the two songs they offered for download, so I got the CD. It's pretty good, loud and crunchy. I feel like I should think it's more amazing, though, considering the reviews I read. It's fun, though, and perhaps I'll catch all the nuances on further listens. CD Baby sums 'em up:

1 cup sugar blasted vocals, 1 cup skin pounding drums, 1 cup thundering bass legend. Mix together in blender with crushed Joey Ramone. Serve chilled, over ice.

This is the first I've heard of them.

This phrase

1 cup skin pounding drums

gives me a major squick. ew.

This phrase

1 cup skin pounding drums

gives me a major squick. ew.

Sounds like instructions on tenderizing chicken. Of couse then, blender = ew.

Nerve.com asked some musicians for summer listening recommendations. I'm wearing two sweaters and my fingers are numb, so I'm having difficulty getting into the summer mindset. The maintenance guy says the a/c is on its lowest setting, but I question his judgment since: a) it's July 7 b) I'm wearing a sweater and rubbing my hands yet c) he still asked me, and he wasn't being sarcastic, "So you want more air conditioning?"

What's on the lists? Nerve always blows up my workplace web filters.

I'll post 2 ata time.

Tim Kasher from The Good Life and Cursive
1. Violent Femmes S/T
The last time I listened to this, I finished a twelve pack on a southeast Florida beach.

2. Go-Go's Beauty and the Beat
The singles are great, sure, but what people don't realize is the whole album is good. I like the "deep cuts" best.

3. Guns 'N Roses Appetite for Destruction
F yeah, dude.

4. Beastie Boys Paul's Boutique
I could've chosen Check Your Head or Licensed to Ill, both great summer records, but isn't Paul's Boutique the "cool" one?

5. Pixies: Come on Pilgrim/Surfer Rosa
These songs remind me of grabbing warm beers from under my bed, sneaking the car, and picking up girls to go drink in the park on humid nights.

John Roderick from The Long Winters
1. My Bloody Valentine Loveless
This record is great for long drives during the day, and is the perfect backdrop to all the smoking factory-scapes that ring American cities, particularly the Meadowlands in New Jersey and the area between Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware.

2. ZZ Top Eliminator
The pinnacle of eighties production, this is still the ultimate thing to blast while you're cruising down the main street of any Southern town. The combination of "electronica," country-boogie and MTV nostalgia-rock make this a classic.

3. Elliot Smith Either/Or
When melancholy overtakes you on an unlit stretch of interstate, and everyone else is fast asleep, this album will make all those bad decisions and failed romances you're obsessing over seem like they were part of a greater good. If anyone else wakes up I usually turn it off, because it's like reading old letters aloud.

4. Built to Spill Perfect From Now On
This goes in the headphones for the day off in New York City. Walking uptown engulfed in the swarm of busy people, you need this album to elevate your spirit with its lyrical humility and soaring guitar. New York sometimes needs an antidote, and Built To Spill sky-writes the colors of Boise, Idaho, over self-important Manhattan.

5. Judas Priest Unleashed in the East
They cover Fleetwood Mac and Joan Baez and own them both. This is ideal to crank when some girl invites herself along for a ride to the next town, and it's a great mind-cleanser after mealy-mouthed, panty-waisted indie-rock. British Heavy Metal never outdid this crowning achievement.

John Vanderslice
1. Punch Drunk Love soundtrack
Jon Brion's brilliant score for P.T. Anderson's masterpiece. This record will make you want to: (1) fall in love, (2) vacation in Hawaii, or (3) smash up a restaurant washroom. Or all three.

2. The Shins Chutes Too Narrow
A sad and complicated record about love, lust and being in a working rock band. Perfect for summer touring.

3. Kanye West The College Dropout
Roll down the tinted windows of your Suburban and sing: "Drug dealing just to get by, stack your money till it gets sky high!"

4. XTC Drums and Wires
A post-punk tour-de force about anxiety and the overwhelming expectations of love and life. This record will be forever tied to the person who gave it to me, an exceptionally smart girl who schooled me in art rock, D.C. punk and desire (right before she broke my heart). Find the superior first pressing, the one without "Making Plans for Nigel" or the bonus tracks.

5. Destroyer Streethawk: A Seduction
If you don't own any Destroyer records, please go out and buy this year's Your Blues. You'll either feel love and gratitude or wonder if my cough syrup intake is out of control.

Cyann & Ben
1. Grandaddy Under The Western Freeway (Ben)
It's just ideal for a summer sleep under the sun.

2: The Beach Boys Pet Sounds (Loïc)
No comment necessary.

3. Pink Floyd More (Cyann)
Sun, desert landscapes, and experimental atmospheres.

4. Tortoise: TNT (Charlie)
The aerial drumming and sunny melodies make this the perfect soundtrack for summer afternoons.

5. Belle and Sebastian If You're Feeling Sinister (All)
Our number one for the summertime tours! The perfect album to listen to in the van, while driving through the French countryside. Beautiful and refreshing.

• Violent Femmes, S/T
• Go-Go's, Beauty and the Beat
• Guns 'N Roses, Appetite for Destruction
• Beastie Boys, Paul's Boutique
• Pixies, Come on Pilgrim/Surfer Rosa

• My Bloody Valentine, Loveless
• ZZ Top, Eliminator
• Elliot Smith, Either/Or
• Built to Spill, Perfect From Now On
• Judas Priest, Unleashed in the East

• Punch Drunk Love soundtrack
• The Shins, Chutes Too Narrow
• Kanye West, The College Dropout
• XTC, Drums and Wires
• Destroyer, Streethawk: A Seduction

• Grandaddy, Under The Western Freeway
• The Beach Boys, Pet Sounds
• Pink Floyd, More
• Tortoise, TNT
• Belle and Sebastian, If You're Feeling Sinister

• The Tom Tom Club, S/T
• The Magnetic Fields
• Tones on Tail
• Fela Kuti Coffin For Head of State
• Hot Women

• Bob Marley, Legend
• Led Zeppelin, Physical Graffitti
• Dr. Dog, Toothbrush
• Beach Boys, Pet Sounds
• Motley Crue, Dr. Feelgood

• REM, Murmur
• The Specials
• Buddy Holly, Greatest Hits
• Philly Soul box set
• Grateful Dead, American Beauty and Bob Dylan, Blonde on Blonde

• Shrimp Boat, Cavale
• Emmylou Harris, Wrecking Ball
• Swervedriver, Ejector Seat Reservation (original version)
• The Cure, Wish
• Built To Spill, There's Nothing Wrong With Love