With the American summer in full swing it’s time to load up your mp3 player with the latest new tunes to accompany that road trip, camping adventure or simple lazy afternoon in the sun. Here are five albums well worth considering before you reach for that Creed best-of…

Wilco, Sky Blue Sky
Sure, Jeff Tweedy’s dark lyrics don’t generally conjure up images of sun and fun (think more along the lines of grim Scottish moors at dusk transplanted into Omaha) and Wilco’s often experimental sound isn’t for everyone. That said, the band can rarely be charged with taking the easy way out, and Sky Blue Sky, their extended-rock-jam heavy, if often mellow sixth album is no exception.

You Am I

You Am I, Convicts
American listeners still unfamiliar with this iconic four-piece rock act from Australia should do themselves a favour and take a listen immediately. Since the late-80’s You Am I have been tearing up Aussie and international stages alike with their stripped back, take-it-or-leave-it brand of rock and roll, inspiring the likes of fellow exports Silverchair and Jet, and finding fans among such respected names as Sonic Youth, Oasis and Chris Cornell along the way. Their 2006 release, Convicts, is an inspired, galloping taste of Oz rock at its very best.

The Silversun Pickups

Silversun Pickups, Carnavas

Another 2006 release, and another band yet to find the larger audience they deserve. Hailing from Los Angeles, the Silversun Pickup’s debut full-length album almost sounds like a throwback to early-90’s indie rock, and there’s undoubtedly a Smashing Pumpkinesque-vibe about them amid the fuzz and squelch and Brian Aubert’s channelling-Billy Corgan-vocals. This isn’t for everyone, but for others –and especially those who have had the opportunity to catch the band live and really do know just how good they are- it will be a welcome return to the Seattle grunge era.

Bright Eyes, Cassadaga
Bright Eyes have become very flavour of the moment of late, but it’s with good reason, and on Cassadaga Conor Oberst continues to refine the alt-rock, alt-country, angst-tinged sound that has made him such an indie-hero for many. Here he’s wailing over lost love and matters of politics weigh heavy on his mind, too –not the most original rock song preoccupations, sure- but few fans will be disappointed.

Dinosaur Jr.

Dinosaur Jr., Beyond

If you’re still looking for a little more of that nostalgic hit after the Silversun Pickups but wouldn’t mind supporting some New England rockers, then how about Massachusett’s old stalwarts, Dinosaur Jr.? This is their first album with the original 1988 line-up reformed, and through all the tumult, conflict and time apart they’ve clearly concentrated their efforts into one hell of a comeback album. At least for this reviewer, there’s little else I’d like to have playing on the car stereo in the coming summer months than sprawling, guitar-crunching tracks like ‘Almost Ready’ and ‘Been There All The Time’. Well worth a look.