I love this record, baby, but I can’t see straight anymore

I’m big big big into music. I’ve been to Dolly Parton and Alicia Keys concerts. My playlists show Bloc Party rubbing elbows with Armand van Helden. Like Deutlich, I like it in all musical shapes and sizes. Like Joshua, I have a serious crush on all songs euro. Like Jamie, I’m not even scared off by foreign languages.

It is because of this, that I have been very concerned. Summer is all around us but yet the awesome tunes that labels save for the warmer, beachy weather just weren’t showing up on the radar. But don’t give up, my friends! My music withdrawal has been cured!

I have single-handedly been keeping iTunes in business and have actually stumbled upon some great stuff (if you have the exact same eclectic taste that I do…if not, skim through and pick out what you like) and am ready to let you all in on the action lest your tanning sessions and road trips still be soundtracked by Umbrella (seriously…it’s a year and a half old…move on) or the tragedy that is the Pussycat Doll’s new song (seriously…how many videos are they going to strut through?).

• Duffy‘s Rockferry album (see: Mercy) is genius. It’s Amy Winehouse without the crack (of both the vocal and Whitney Houston variety).

• Cyndi Lauper‘s Bring Ya to the Brink is the album that Madonna should have made instead of dry-heaving in a record studio and calling it Hard Candy. Into The Nightlife is pure electro goodness and the rest is just as great. She worked with a lot of the Swedes that helped Robyn with her killer album.

• So his claim to fame might be having actual sex in a movie (Shortbus…watched it, still can’t figure out if it’s artsy or just porn with better acting…), but Jay Brannan‘s Half-boyfriend is perfect for winding down a long day on the beach.

• Donna Summer‘s new song has such a damn kicky beat that I haven’t gotten it out of my head since she performed on American Idol. I didn’t even see this one coming.

• Gavin DeGraw…is he popular? I can’t figure it out. But, I do really enjoy his new album (Next to me, in particular) and I’ll admit, I’m still listening to his stripped version of Chariot from way back.

• I don’t know what to make of Kreesha Turner. I hate Bounce but have fond feelings toward Don’t Call Me Baby even though I don’t really want to.

• Sam Sparro‘s album doesn’t do a thing for me but Black and Gold is still a killer song.

• Hey Rihanna, feel free to keep making fun songs but how about you put them on a new album instead of keeping Good Girl Gone Bad on the charts for over a year?

• Lady Gaga might be the worst name of an artist to date but Just Dance is going to be my drunk jam until further notice.

• Jason Mraz‘s I’m Yours is legendary for shooting up to my Top 25 Most Played list in two weeks. There’s another song I keep hearing on the radio that sounds like him but I can’t seem to find it on his new album. It’s slower, kind of dark, maybe lyrics about the stars..any thoughts?

• Have you had enough of a song that will surely have teen girls making out all over Prom? Me too. However, Katy Perry‘s Hot ‘N Cold is just as good without pushing the drunk, slutty girl agenda. The rest of her album is okay…sort of a Pink/Avril/Natasha Bedingfield hybrid.

• Sometimes I like to pretend I’m a bit indie. The Hoosiers’ Cops and Robbers is one of these times.

• And to finish on some Canadian action – and a completely unexpected turn of events – Alanis‘ latest album is rocking my world. She intersperses insightful slower melodies with electric-infused uptempos like Straightjacket. Incomplete is my favourite but the whole album is worth every penny.

Hope there’s something in there that you’ll enjoy. Any recommendations for me?