So you’re a rock star — congratulations. You’ve finally recorded your 10 or 12 songs, and you’re ready to finish the album and send it off to record execs everywhere. But wait — which song goes where?

Now, if you’re Britney Spears or Three Doors Down, you can throw all the singles in a row at the beginning. Whatever. You’ll sell millions anyway, and as long as you hear that one catchy tune, who cares if it’s a coherent or even listenable album? But this problem of poorly planned albums exceeds the top 40, and may even reach artists you like (see Beck’s Guero, Ratatat’s self-titled, or Modest Mouse’s latest for examples of albums that leave you bored by the halfway point).

On a side note, there aren’t many albums that fail in the reverse direction. Maybe musicians are scared that nobody will listen if they load up the back of an album with hits.

So, you’re planning your CD. What comes first? Ideally, it’d be an attention getter, but not the only hit. “Like Eating Glass” from Bloc Party’s Silent Alarm is one example. It’s jagged, angular, and quick, and sets the stage for the album. And, if you bought the album because you heard “Banquet” (track four) on the radio, you’ll keep listening.

Next, cool down a bit — right out of High Fidelity. I wouldn’t say add some filler, but maybe if you’ve got a couple songs that are pretty typical of your sound but not the greatest, tracks two or three might be a good place to put them. Another option is to lead off with a throwaway “intro” track (although this will annoy shufflers) and put the attention-getter at track two, as in the Foo Fighters album The Colour and the Shape (“Doll” followed by “Monkey Wrench”).

At around track four, drop the hit. There’s a lot of precedent here: Weezer’s blue album, Daft Punk’s Discovery, the Red Hot Chili Peppers album Californication, even the new Arcade Fire album. The ideal album would keep the next few tracks pretty strong, with something else interesting around eight to keep everyone listening.

By then, most of your best songs might be exhausted. How do you keep people interested then? If you’re making Talking Heads: 77, you just keep tossing on great songs. Fine. If not, you can switch gears; some great albums have kept interest because their second halves have been the deeper, moodier counterparts to the upbeat first halves (see Abbey Road and Of Montreal’s The Sunlandic Twins.) A contrast will help listeners break the album into chunks that they can easily absorb. And that’s the goal, right?

On the other hand, if you’re making a concept album, disregard this all entirely and follow your muse! Just, whatever you do, don’t put a “secret track” after 12 minutes of silence at the end.

It is impossible to have a conversation without someone bringing up the heat. Relentless sunlight boils our flesh and swampy humidity makes even typing a sweaty affair. My pink is peeling off and my brain is in a liquid state — and, reader, I am sure you feel the same. With that in mind, here is a playlist of songs for suckling popsicles.

Bauhaus, “Mask.” In “Mask,” Bauhaus sends you directly inside the thick stone walls of a subterranean dungeon. Peter Murphy moans in pain, with cymbals crashing like whips. It’s all dark and gloomy and goth until the 2:40 mark, when a beautiful, light guitar melody replaces whips and moans. “The shadow is cast,” Murphy cries. Hurrah! I need some shade.

Junior Boys, “Double Shadow.” The Canadian duo’s beats are always icy — especially this one, which has whispering vocals that are not warmly romantic. Instead, “Double Shadow” begins with some unromantic insults, and then launches into an understated beat with a compliment: “you good fuck.” At least whoever this song is tearing to shreds has that, right? That, and a surprisingly soulful track complete with handclaps in their memory.

Pluxus, “Solid State.” This Scandinavian electro track begins with a slow, jingling beat, reminiscent of ice cubes clinking in glasses. Quickly, other synthetic sounds roll in, sounding like the best parts of summer — clicking cameras, an oscillating fan, the hum of insects at nightfall, a carnival melody, the plinking of coins into a fountain. Still, the mood is not nostalgic. This slow, dark, and fizzy song seems tired of the summer heat.

M83, “Teen Angst.” What goes together better than teen angst and the dying days of summer? Ethereal male vocals, a throbbing beat, and hazy guitar washes make this an ideal song to listen to during a dusk walk amid the mosquitoes.

TV On The Radio, “Wear You Out.” “Wear You Out” begins as a vocal-driven track, with Adebimpe’s voice fluttering effortlessly above simple drumming. Soon, gentle chimes, horns, and bass arrive and his voice swoops back down to sensually meld with the chugging, bluesy orchestra. After a blast of heat, TVOTR cools it off with an icy flute jam.

The Flaming Lips, “Bad Days.” Just when students start dreading the start of class and the onslaught of work, Wayne Coyne reminds us, “You have to sleep late when you can, and all your bad days will end.” Take heed from this surprisingly low-key Flaming Lips track. Sleep will be torn from our sweaty grasp all too soon, and when the cool fall comes we will be wishing for summertime once again.

Below are descriptions of five choice active bands and artists from Pittsburgh.

Flak: Flak is one of Pittsburgh’s finest punk bands. Drawing influences from a wide array of punk and metal bands from across the ages, Flak’s ace instrumentalism and shifting song parts make for a very exciting band. The group’s first 7″ is available at stores such as Brave New World, and its first LP should be out soon. www.myspace.com/flakpgh.

Tusk lord: Tusk lord is a one-man musical outfit steadily producing a prolific and varying output that consistently increases in quality. His CD, Famililar Trails, came out a while ago; it features songs like “Sunbeams Piercing the Canopy” that call forth impressions of abstract images, situations, and feelings. Songs are largely electric; they are acoustic-guitar-based but employ a wide array of electronic sound generators. A new album is due out in the future. www.myspace.com/tusklord.

Caustic Christ: Caustic Christ is a Pittsburgh institution. Having toured extensively around the world, there are many who call CC Pittsburgh’s greatest band. It plays fast hardcore, filled with a rare, penetrating energy. Everyone should check out the classic Can’t Relate LP/CD as well as the band’s newest LP Lycanthropy. www.myspace.com/causticchrist.

Warzone Womyn: Warzone Womyn is another of Pittsburgh’s finest punk bands. Playing a style of hardcore known as “power violence,” Warzone Womyn features outstanding songwriting, perfected instrument sound, killer vocal delivery, and lyrics to produce mastery of all tempos. Songs like “Therapy Notes” — available for listening at www.myspace.com/warzwonewomyn — are maddening.

DBL D: DBL D is a somewhat new, very exciting improvisational band. With no set leader, members play off each other and swing collectively in and out of different ideas, as well as in and out of traditional rhythms. The band recently released a CD called Initiation of the Pulse. Check out www.myspace.com/dblddbld.