As winter slowly releases its grip on March, the new late-afternoon sunlight ushers in an optimism buried for months under record snowfalls. Where we were until recently trapped indoors and under heavy layers of clothes, spring is slowing coming to set us free. We’ll start over, redeemed by April rains that will expose and forgive the secrets we left in our yards before the blizzards. Now, the only digging we’ll do is in the record crate, rejoicing in albums that reflect a grateful rebirth of our surroundings, our mobility, and, seemingly, our sanity. Here are 12 vital albums for spring in New England.
For the season’s first picnic:
Dirty Projectors, “Bitte Orca”
When our sweaters finally make for better cushions than extra layers, we make our first trek to green grasses. Whether a gathering of friends or a romantic excursion, the picnic is the quintessential way to connect with loved ones. Far from cell phone towers, we can be engrossed in conversations and trade kisses amidst the bright colors that winter kept from us for too long.
The playful, colorful hues of “Bitte Orca” are just the thing for reveling under the bluest skies. The Projectors’ airy, dynamic, rhythm and blues are complemented perfectly by vocal instruments that soar to delightful peaks. When the beautifully disjointed melodies climb together, it’s a triumphant serenade.
Suitable Replacements:
Beirut, “The Flying Club Cup” — The horns and accordion of Zach Condon’s Balkan-influenced indie masterpiece will instantly transport your outing to the French countryside in the 1940s.
Frankie Cosmos, “Zentropy” — Greta Kline’s buoyant anti-folk songs are guaranteed to create smiles, sing-alongs, and handholding.
For walking on an empty beach:
Pavement, “Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain”
The sea air, swells, and treasured debris of an April beach are familiar, and yet the possibilities are as endless as the sands. Unencumbered, we collect shells, sea glass, beached wood, creatures, and random objects that traveled to the shores before us.
Pavement’s “Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain” is an old gem we rediscover on the beach. The seminal slacker indie-rock record pits energetic falsettos against Stephen Malkmus’ deadpan delivery as it meanders around open musical spaces. Hearing “Cut Your Hair,” we might do just that, chopping our winter manes and exposing our eyes, ears, and necks again to soak in the salt air, sunlight, and crashing waves.
Suitable Replacements:
Built to Spill, “Keep it Like a Secret” — Doug Martsch’s legendary guitar hooks and soaring vocals mark the best indie album you haven’t listened to in years.
Radiohead, “Amnesiac” (2001) While “Kid A” gets the accolades, “Amnesiac” provides the right amount of quiet space to complement a vacant beach.
For planting gardens:
Angel Olsen, “Burn Your Fire For No Witness”
In the April rain, soil becomes forgiving again and the night’s frost becomes a distant memory. Like clockwork, every year, we resolve to clear the lingering detritus and, where we can’t bring the dormant back to life, we plant anew. By our efforts, the greens will arise.
Angel Olsen’s “Burn Your Fire For No Witness” is an indie-folk tale of lost love and redemption. Her enchanting intonations waver subtly between pain and optimism, as if they too survived another change of seasons. On the triumphant track, “Lights Out,” she sums it up: “Just when you thought you would turn all your lights out, it shines. Some days all you need is one good thought, strong in your mind.”
Suitable Replacements:
Various artists, “Through the Static and Distance: The Songs of Jason Molina” — The world lost Molina in 2013, but his version of the blues continues to inspire countless musicians and listeners.
Billy Bragg, “Back to Basics” — The seeds of “The Diggers” revolution still grow in Bragg’s brilliant, “man and his guitar” ballads.
For the first outdoor skateboard session:
Lifetime, “Jersey’s Best Dancers”
Like teenagers again, we rush out in search of dry pavement, avoiding the streams of melting snows like toxic waste. Whether we skate, bike, run, or play basketball, when the right conditions finally present themselves, there’s no stopping us.
By the time the five-second sample that begins Lifetime’s melodic punk classic, “Jersey’s Best Dancers,” is interrupted by rolling drums and speeding riffs, we’ve just rolled the board out in front of our feet on real pavement for the first time in months. Dan Yemin’s contagious guitar energy and Ari Katz’s emotive vocals continue to push us along, still unequaled by their successors.
Suitable Replacements:
Fugazi, “In on the Kill Taker” — The most driving and raw of Fugazi’s post-hardcore legacy. Just the thing to propel our frenzied bodies in motion.
Das Racist, “Sit Down Man” — On one of the most fun days of the year, why not listen to some of the most creative wordplay from Heems and company?