Music can cure a bad day. It’s hard to think of modern culture and society without that comfort. Even after 21 hours of work on a weekend, music can somehow make me feel a bit better and lift me up.

Ever since working at Shop ‘n Save (I’m glad for it to be gone), there are three albums that have become more important to me as a person than any album ever will: Slapstick’s self-titled album, the Replacement’s “Let it Be,” and Bomb the Music Industry’s “Get Warmer.” They were my songs of summer.

Slapstick’s driving punk beats and upbeat horn section blend everything great about ska-punk music and blend it into the most teenage relevant album I’ve ever heard. Songs like “Eighteen” and “What I Learned” deal with the freedoms lost in growing up and the harsh realities of the world, while songs like “The Park” and “Nate B.” deal with missing something dear about childhood. There’s just something about the 25 song compilation of Slapstick’s career that will never be lost in my heart.

The Replacement’s “Let it Be” just found its way into my hands at the right time. At the age of 16, I spent the entire summer spending the very little cash I earned buying albums up at Slackers. The Replacements just happened to be one of the few that captured all my frustrations in one good punk rock album.

Bomb the Music Industry! just hits somewhere deeper for being the kind of band that will release all of their music for free. “493 Ruth” has the entire band just yelling at the top of their lungs during the chorus in joy. “Jobs Schmobs” told me I could go anywhere in the world and that all it took was two weeks. Few know it, but that song inspired me to finally quit my job (which, despite the loss of money, created a strong atmosphere of happiness).

So maybe music is just my thing, but I think albums can have more significance than just being catchy. These albums have always uplifted my mood in times where I didn’t have too many reasons to get out of bed in the morning. I hope everyone finds their own songs of summer.