The years have been good to Death Cab for Cutie. Their path to indie-rock stardom began in 2003, when the band released their fourth studio album, Transatlanticism, that October. Boosted by a pair of emotionally vulnerable singles, “The Sound of Settling” and “Title and Registration” (the former of which they performed on The O.C., being the favorite band of Seth Cohen), their sound became inescapable. They were widely used in soundtracks, and they went on to be nominated for a handful of Grammys and play SNL. Their most recognizable song, “I Will Follow You Into The Dark,” has appeared everywhere, with covers by countless artists, going platinum twice, and inspiring an episode title of Grey’s Anatomy. Next month, their 2005 album, Plans, turns 20, and based on the scale of their Transatlanticism anniversary (where DCFC toured the groundbreaking album alongside Ben Gibbard’s other band, the Postal Service, who celebrated Give Up), their milestone shows are bound to be special.
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This weekend, while in the midst of tour, the band are headlining the final day of this year’s Project Pabst, a Portland-based festival whose lineup highlights alternative’s past, present, and future (everyone from Iggy Pop to Mannequin Pussy and Sam Austins are playing the two-day throwdown). Ahead of their performance, we asked Gibbard if he would compile a handful of his favorite summer songs. He really nailed the assignment, giving us a sun-bleached playlist filled with late ’70s jazz-funk, jangly college rock, and a jam from hip-hop’s golden age. Dive in below before Project Pabst kicks off on Saturday.
Roy Ayers – “Everybody Loves the Sunshine”
Maybe the most ominous summer song, by one of the best ever to do it.
Jonathan Richman – “That Summer Feeling”
The lyrics to this one sting in such a specific, wonderful way. I’m feeling nostalgic for the present, at present.
Pavement – “Summer Babe”
The sound of a heat mirage bending the air above a sticky Northern California asphalt lot.
DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince – “Summertime”
A required text.
Death Cab for Cutie – “Summer Skin”
I didn’t play on this one, so it’s allowed! A good companion to the Jonathan Richman song.
Elvis Costello – “The Other Side of Summer”
Elvis doing Beach Boys cosplay, and I’m here for it.
ABBA – “Summer Night City”
Having experienced a few summer nights out in Stockholm myself, I can attest to the veracity of this disco masterpiece.
Sly & the Family Stone – “Hot Fun in the Summertime”
This is the best song on this list. I will brook no disagreement.
R.E.M. – “Nightswimming”
Pure, medical-grade nostalgia delivered with a spoonful of honey.
The Cure – “The Last Day of Summer”
Not exactly a summer classic here, but the novelty of a Cure song about the summertime proved irresistible to me.