Five Autumnal Albums for the Changing Season

October is finally upon us, and we all know what that means. The summer of 2010 is more or less just a fond memory at this point, and flannels and chunky sweaters are rapidly making their return. Why not celebrate the changing of the seasons by hauling out your gourds and golden-tinted leaves and finding a pumpkin to carve? We’ve even provided you with five albums to soundtrack your autumn-themed activities.

The Walkmen, You & Me
The Walkmen’s brilliant fourth album, released in 2008, starts with “Dónde está la playa” followed by songs with titles like “Flamingos” and “Postcards from Tiny Islands” that recall the summer months. But by the last few tracks of the record, the titles shift in theme. Hear the drifting, cool track “Long Time Ahead of Us,” below.

Counting Crows, August and Everything After
Is there a better description for fall than that title? Aside from its name, the Counting Crows’ 1993 record also featured their biggest hits, like “Round Here,” “Mr. Jones” and “Rain King.” Hear the latter, (though autumn is best enjoyed dry) below.

Neil Young, Harvest
There’s no way that Neil Young’s 1972 record, his fourth as a solo artist, wasn’t going to make this list. So much about it is reminiscent of autumn, especially its sparse cover, designed in autumnal hues like burnt sienna and tan. Find the title track to this chart-topper below.

The National, Alligator
The National are currently touring more or less the entire world, and there was a lot of well-deserved buzz surrounding their latest record, High Violet. But 2005’s Alligator, their third album, was the one that made everyone start paying the Brooklyn-based boys some serious attention. Watch a live, uncut version of Berninger and co. performing the impassioned “Mr. November” from it, below.

Frightened Rabbit, The Winter of Mixed Drinks
This Scottish band’s 2010 record The Winter of Mixed Drinks has already made a handful of appearances on many of our other lists, but never because it seemed to correspond with a season. But The Winter of Mixed Drinks opens with a track called “Things” that simply heralds impending change and novelty. (Though enjoying a few mixed drinks to stay warm will never get old.)