“Do not be angry with the rain; it simply does not know how to fall upwards.” 
― Vladimir Nabokov

Pavement – “Greenlander”

With the unidentifiable background noise ruminating throughout this entire song, it makes it perfect those drives to school, or anywhere really, in which the rain is lightly pouring down upon your windshield, but not hard enough to warrant the wipers.

Dr. Dog – “Heart it Races” (Architecture in Helsinki cover)

In one of the rare cases in which a cover of a song is better than the original, Dr. Dog bring a pop sensibility and warmness to “Heart it Races” that Architecture in Helsinki didn’t in the original.  This song works perfectly well for those warm, non-rainy days.

The Mountain Goats – “Woke Up New”

For those post-breakup spring mornings.  John Darnielle has always made songs for every possible heartbreaking moment thinkable.  Whether they concern the memories of watching game shows on the couch with your former lover, or making the weekly drive to the post office box in Austin, Texas, Darnielle is a storyteller of great skill that will continue to be admired for years to come.

Camera Obscura – “Lloyd, I’m Ready to Be Heartbroken”

Camera Obscura’s Tracyanne Campbell sounds suspiciously happy on this song that tackles such morbid subject matter, but that’s the beauty, I suppose, of her straight-faced performance on this whirling, oddly uplifting track.

Califone – “The Orchids”

Another cover, this time of a Psychic TV song.  Califone have always been a band floating just under the radar.  But if you hear only one song by them, original or not, this one is pretty ace.

Deafheaven – “Dream House”

Ever feel angry about the rain?  Deafheaven will help alleviate some of the frustration as long as you scream along with them.  This may be too heavy for some of you to handle, though.