Cool off with some hot tunes

Overworked air conditioners groaning from the strain like an ox attempting to lug a Volvo up the face of Mount Charleston; kids screaming after the ice cream truck as if the inhalation of frozen SpongeBob pops prevented Boogeyman visits; flesh sizzling to a crisp in the formation of human BLTs: This is the soundtrack to summer in Vegas.

But aren't you ready for a new one?

Thought so, and we're here to help, as usual.

The next few months are always rough here in sweltering Sin City, but these tunes will make it all a bit more bearable -- or, you know, that much worse.

The Hellacopters, "Welcome to Hell": An apt description of the Hades-level heat of Vegas in July, which is enough to make Satan dump ice cubes down his BVDs, from the best rock 'n' roll band of the past two decades.

Drive-By Truckers, "Daddy Needs a Drink": This spare, equally broken and beatific ballad is for anyone who has kids who want you to brave Disneyland this summer. Make that drink a double. Of Jagermeister. In a five gallon bucket.

The Gossip, "Got Body If You Want It": This garage rock tantrum is what we play when slipping into a tasty leopard print Speedo and heading down to the public pool, where we get ogled like a wheelbarrow full of lamb chops surrounded by a pack of malnourished wolves.

Ghostface Killah w/Rahzel, "In The Park": A magma-hot ode to the origins of hip-hop via rap battles in the parks of New York City and Philly. With this one, we can now officially retire DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince's fossilized "Summertime," which is both moldy and cheesy enough to qualify as a hunk of Gorgonzola.

Harvey Milk, "Wunderful Meat": A buzzing stoner doom riot, for when you're loading the foot-longs on the grill ...

Putrevore, "Obscene Devourment": ... you just ate cockroach droppings and rodent hair bundled in a greasy tube of animal intestines! This death metal dirge is not even half as brutal as what you've just done to your innards.

Superchrist, "Still Not Drunk Enough": At get-togethers this time of year, some folks think it's acceptable to serve up wine coolers or some such fruity nonsense. Umbrellas are for rain storms, not adult beverages, cupcake. When this happens, polish off six or 10 of 'em and crank this rager from the American Motorhead.

NOFX, "I Wanna Be An Alcoholic": At this pace, you're getting there.

NOFX, "I Am An Alcoholic": Told you it was coming.

Johnny Cash, "Redemption Day": You're going to need to engage in some serious repenting after the next two months of debauchery, and that's where the Man in Black comes in: Listening to Johnny's solemn sermonizing is just like going to church, but even better, because you don't have to sober up beforehand.

Contact reporter Jason Bracelin at jbracelin@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0476.