Call me crazy, but I truly believe you can put a season label on most albums. I mean, think about it – certain songs are best for snuggling under lots of blankets during a snowstorm. And some songs are just perfect for sitting in the sun or cruising with the top down (if you happen to be so lucky to own a car in which the top can come down).

Since Memorial Day has passed and we can officially wear white, it’s time we really start listening to summer music. Here are my top choices for music that is especially summery. Which means these albums put me in a fabulous mood… even when I’m lying in my bed rubbing aloe on my ailing limbs.

Drive-By Truckers- Brighter Than Creation’s Dark

Other than the Dave Matthews Band, what genre of music just screams summer (yes I’m considering Dave Matthews its own genre)? Well, country, of course. It’s pretty cliche, actually. People hanging out, tailgating in parking lots, wearing cowboy hats and singing Kenny Chesney. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m a lover of Kenny, but like I said, it’s all kind of cliche. So, I choose Drive-By Truckers for my summer music.

They’re country in a totally alternative, Southern rock kind of way. Meaning they’re awesome. And not the tailgating type of country you generally think of as summer music. This is more summer music in terms of hanging out on the back porch and drinking some beer with your buddies. One of my favorite summer tunes from Brighter Than Creation’s Dark is “Righteous Path,” which is just the song many of us need to to aid us in making the right choices come summer: “I got the need to blow it out on Saturday night/I got a grill in the backyard and a case of beers/I got a boat that ain’t seen the water in years/More bills than money, I can do the math/I’m trying to keep focused on the righteous path.” But I’m also a fan of “Ghost to Most” and, of course, “Daddy Needs a Drink.” Because, yup, Daddy knows it’s summer.

Jason Mraz- We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things

Jason Mraz is the boy of summer. Again, he’s kind of like the non-country version of Kenny Chesney. Please excuse all my Kenny Chesney references, but Kenny basically is summer to me. But Jason Mraz is summer too. I mean, come on, the guy is barefoot 95% of the time, can be found on the beach, and wears beachy-type hats quite often. We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things is summery, but actually, all of Jason Mraz’s albums scream summer. Listen to “I’m Yours” and I have absolutely no doubt Jason will make you feel like you’re sitting on an island. You’re alone with him and he’s playing his banjo and singing to you about how much he loves you. That’s just how Jason Mraz is.

And if you had to name a female singer who reminds you of summer, Colbie Caillat would totally come to mind first. Jason obviously agreed as she joins him for “Lucky,” the most lay-in-a-hammock-sipping-lemonade-on-a-summer-night song ever. Jason and Colbie sing, “And so I’m sailing through the sea/To an island where we’ll meet/You’ll hear the music, fell the air/I’ll put a flower in your hair.” Jason Mraz makes me want to be on the beach. Preferably a private island. Right now.

The Hold Steady- Stay Positive

Again the boys of summer. Like Kenny Chesney… I’m kidding. They’re really not. They’re just summery, fun music. Another, drink-beer-with-the-boys-on-the-porch type album. I swear I’ve always thought this way about them, but when I heard Stay Positive has a song called “Constructive Summer” on it, I knew they were a summer band. “We’re gonna build something this summer/Summer grant us all the power/To drink on top of the water towers/With love and trust and shows all summer/Let this be my annual reminder/That we can all be something bigger.” How perfect are those lyrics? But the rest of the songs on the album are equally as fabulous; I especially love the title track because it’s all about staying positive, which is most easy to do in the summer months. The Hold Steady also has crazy fun fans, making the summer all the better. Of course, most of them are drunk, but isn’t that what the summer is for? The Hold Steady will help you loosen up a bit, which is something we can all use.

Ah, summer. It’s so close I can taste it.

And hear it?

Days on the beach, drinks on patios, and BBQs with friends. And music, lots of music. One of the very best things about summer is going to outdoor concerts.  And there are so many amazing tours this summer, I have a feeling I’m going to be at a concert pretty much every single week. And concerts mean music, beer, and friends. Which is pretty much heaven for me. Here are some of the biggest and best summer tours you should keep your eye (and ear) on.

Blink 182
Remember Blink 182? Duh, obviously you do. I used to be absolutely obsessed. I mean, how cute was Mark Hoppus? I was heartbroken when they went on hiatus and waited a couple years for them to get back together before I gave up. Mark created the not overly successful +44, Travis joined him along with fighting with Shanna Mokler on Meet the Barkers, and Tom formed the semi-successful Angels and Airwaves. But now? Back together again.

I don’t know why they’re reuniting. Maybe it had something to do with Travis Barker’s near-tragic plane crash and their thankfulness he’s still alive. Whatever the case, it’s hard not to be excited by their upcoming tour (and alleged new album!). No official dates have been confirmed yet, but the boys have said they will be touring the world this summer and rumor has it, they will be sharing the bill with No Doubt, another pleasant blast from the past! I’m pretty excited to see what the crowd is like for this show. Lots of people in their 20s and 30s reminiscing about their teenage angst-filled days I’m sure.

American Idol
Yeah, yeah, the crowd is probably going to be filled with 10-year-old kids, but come on. I’ll be at the American Idol tour, and with absolutely no shame either. After obsessively watching the contestants for a ridiculous amount of hours every week for basically half a year, there’s no way I’m missing a night of seeing them live.

The top 10 American Idol contestants of 2009 will be touring around the country, and yes, that includes the winner (ahem, Adam Lambert). But I’m also super excited to see Danny Gokey (please sing “What Hurts the Most”!) and Anoop Desai. I’m cringing a little bit at the fact I’ll have to watch Michael Sarver and Megan Joy once again, but I can always go buy a beer during their sets. Wait, do they sell beer at American Idol concerts? Please say yes.

Kenny Chesney
Kenny Chesney shows are always, always a good time, even if you’re not particularly a country music fan. The best thing (in my opinion) about Kenny tours in the summer is the chance that he might take his shirt off. OK, OK, so the music is pretty amazing too (but seriously, his body is h-o-t) and this year he’s touring with Miranda Lambert, Lady Antebellum, Sugarland, and Montgomery Gentry.

Helloo, it’s like a whole country music festival.

You’re probably going to want to spend some serious time tailgating, so get to the show early and wear your favorite cowboy hat. Everyone is a country fan when it comes to Kenny Chesney and with songs like “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem” and “Beer in Mexico,” there’s nobody better to spend a summer night with than Kenny.

Elton John (and Billy Joel)
Hi, Legend. Attending an Elton John concert would totally be one for the books. Right up there with Bryan Adams and Mariah Carey.  How could this not be the most amazing concert ever? Elton’s going to be touring the world with Billy Joel and while Billy’s not my absolute favorite, he’s definitely another huge legend. I kind of think whatever stadiums and arenas they’re performing at are going to explode with all that major legend-ness.

Elton has had so many huge hits, and even his recent albums are pretty fabulous, so I am super psyched to see what songs he’s going to choose to perform and if this concert is going to last all night long. Seriously, I don’t think Elton and Billy would even have enough time to sing all their hits in one evening. In any event, I can’t imagine Elton John will be touring too much longer, so I would jump on this summer tour if I were you. Do you think Elton will wear some outrageously huge sunglasses? Let’s hope so. I can’t wait to Crocodile Rock this summer!

What tours are you looking forward to this summer?

But Chesney has some tough competition; also up for Entertainer of the Year are Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, George Strait, and Keith Urban. So can he win? Well, we have the power to help him this year.

For the first time ever, the Entertainer of the Year award winner will be chosen by the fans. So, you can vote, vote, vote, starting on May 5. That gives you some time to listen to Chesney’s newest album over and over again. Or to stare at pictures of his amazing body. Perferably shirtless.

If 39-year-old Chesney wins for Entertainer of the Year, it will be his fourth straight win, tying him with Garth Brooks. Can you say legend?

And after you’re done voting, you can tune into the awards on May 18, held in Las Vegas, to see all of your favorite country stars. Also up for awards are Rodney Atkins, Carrie Underwood, Big and Rich, Brad Paisley, Sugarland, Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift, Jack Ingram, Kellie Pickler, and more.

Does it even matter whether or not you like country music? With hot men in cowboy hats and the chance of Chesney taking his shirt off, I know I’ll be watching.

Guys who can sing and play the guitar … need I say more.

Obvious guys were selected, like Justin Timberlake (my future husband), Jared Leto, Kenny Chesney and Bow Wow (what? he’s turned into a really nice piece of young man). But then there are the questionable few — Lance Bass? Josh Groban? Dave Navarro? They’re definitely not my idea of “sexy.”

Check out the rest of these dudes.

Photos after the jump

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Which Music Man is the Best Catch?