The Blondes - Summer Strut (Middle Class Pig Records)

As the title suggests, this is a summery record, full of Beatles-esque melodies and tuneful songs. At times, it's laid back, oompa-loompa indie ('So far away') and at others it's full on beach bum pop-rock ('I just wanna stay at home'). Whatever style it is, it's always upbeat and joyful, the sort of album that you could imagine relaxing in the sun to.

Too bad for me then that it's raining outside. Ah well, that's what I get for not living in LA where The Blondes hail from. A magical place where, according to the band's press release, it is summertime 24/7, 365 days a year. That lifestyle has seeped into their music so much that it's hard to believe they've ever had a grey day. If it's a good fun times, retro rock record you're after then you could do a lot worse than "Summer strut".

Ken McGrath