Album Review (New Release): John Mayer – The Search for Everything – Wave One

Review by: William O’Connor ’20

John Mayer – [itunes link=”https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/moving-on-and-getting-over/id1195111784?i=1195111863&uo=4″ title=”The Search for Everything – John Mayer” text=”The Search for Everything – Wave One”]

Released: January 20th, 2017

Rate: 8.5/10

LIYL: Train, Ed Sheeran, and the John Mayer Trio

This first “wave” had a lot of hype leading up to its release and it’s finally here. This is his first release since [itunes link=”https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dear-marie/id672720304?i=672720308&uo=4″ title=”Paradise Valley – John Mayer” text=”Paradise Valley”] and [itunes link=”https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/something-like-olivia/id516701586?i=516701811&uo=4″ title=”Born and Raised – John Mayer” text=”Born and Raised”],  those two albums being very different compared to what he has put out in the past. They were definitely not his best, and in anticipation of this new release we were all hoping for a huge improvement, something different from the singer-songwriter. For one thing, his trio band members who have made some of John Mayer’s best music with him, Steve Jordan and Pino Palladino, are backing in the drums and bass. They played songs with him such as “[itunes link=”https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/gravity-live/id388127285?i=388127511&uo=4″ title=”Gravity – John Mayer” text=”Gravity”]”, “[itunes link=”https://itunes.apple.com/us/music-video/who-did-you-think-i-was-new/id295970158?uo=4″ title=”Who Did You Think I Was – John Mayer” text=”Who Did You Think I Was”]”, “[itunes link=”https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/daughters/id322697981?i=322697997&uo=4″ title=”Daughters – John Mayer” text=”Daughters”]”, and “[itunes link=”https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/try-live/id159527304?i=159528791&uo=4″ title=”Try – John Mayer” text=”Try”]”.

Album Review: Modern Baseball – Holy Ghost

Review by: Tara Howell

Modern Baseball (MoBo) – Holy Ghost

Rate: 9/10

LIYL: Say Anything, The Front Bottoms, Joyce Manor, The Hotelier, Sorority Noise

My favorite tracks: “Wedding Singer”, “Breathing in Stereo”, and “Just Another Face
Modern Baseball has been one of my favorite bands for a while now. My love affair started on my very first day of work at WLOY, where my coworker and now really great friend told me to listen to their song, “Your Graduation”, after asking him what song reminded him of high school. It took me a little bit to finally sit down and listen, but when I did, I fell hard. Don’t even ask me to pick a favorite album. That’s like picking a favorite best friend.

Album Review: Fractal Cats – The Tower

Review by: Claire Riley

Fractal Cat – The Tower

Rate: 8.5/10

LIYL: Brooks Long and the MadDogNoGood, Pink Floyd, Stanley Roots

Local Baltimore band Fractal Cat released their third album “The Tower” on the 26th of this month. It can now be streamed online via Spotify and Apple music and purchased on iTunes and CD as well.  Previous albums include “Loving Kind” released in 2014 and “The Eye in The Dawn” released in 2012. All three albums have a similar musical style, so if you liked “The Tower,” check the other two! As a band inspired by the golden age of rock n roll when legends like Buddy Holly and Smokey Robinson dominated the music world, Fractal Cat is known for their personal twist of trippy, psychedelic rock.

Album Review: Gift Shop-Jokes Jokes Jokes

Review by: Stephen Vanyo

Gift Shop– Jokes Jokes Jokes

Rate: 9.5/10

I had the chance to catch Gift Shop live when one of my bands played the same show that they did in a garage in suburban Nazareth PA. The PA was quiet and noise were just bouncing off the walls but even with all that, they sounded like they belonged on much larger stages. Gift Shop is the project started by former members of the gone-to-soon pop punk act Grandview as well as fellow massachusetts band The Dirty Looks. 

Album Review: Buenos Diaz – Buenos Diaz

Review by: William O’Connor

Buenos Diaz– Buenos Diaz

Rate: 7.2/10

LIYL: Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Black Keys, and Jack White

This is a band I’ve never heard before, and I was not only surprised but impressed. The first song, Hem Haw, is a short intro that opens up the album and shows off its instrumentals. After hearing this intro you can know what to expect for the rest of the album.

Staff Picks: Jeremy’s Top 5 Albums of 2016

Review by: Jeremy Stephenson’17

Disclaimer: These albums are albums listened to in 2016, these may not actually be albums released in 2016.

170x170bb-15. Led Zeppelin – IV (untitled) –  [itunes link=”https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/led-zeppelin-iv-remastered/id580708175?uo=4″ title=”Led_Zeppelin_IV_(Remastered)”]

This is by far my favorite Zeppelin album. Start to finish this album will take you to magical places far away. The bluesy folk rock feel will make you dance your face off but still keep your neck sore from all the head banging. Remember to soften it up with Going to California.


Staff Picks: Will’s Top 5 Albums of 2016

Review by: Will O’Connor’20

Disclaimer: These albums are albums listened to in 2016, these may not actually be albums released in 2016.

170x170bb-55. Young Chasers – Circa Waves – [itunes link=”https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/young-chasers/id1018516137?uo=4″ title=”Young_Chasers”]

This is the new Brtish band’s first album and it’s great. This whole album just makes you think of happy times. The suns shining, you’re on vacation with no worries and you’ve got this album playing through your headphones. This is what I picture of what it feels to be stress free. “Get Away” and “T-Shirt Weather” are summer anthems that will make you listen to them endlessly on repeat. This album is very professional and has very catchy guitar riffs to go along with the catchy melodies.


Staff Picks: Steve’s Top 5 Albums of 2016

Review by: Stephen Vanyo’17

Disclaimer: These albums are albums listened to in 2016, these may not actually be albums released in 2016.

 * Disclaimer these rankings aren’t hard and true, please don’t get mad at me for not putting Beyonce on this, Beyonce has her time elsewhere *

170x170bb5. D.R.A.M – Big Baby DRAM – [itunes link=”https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/big-baby-d.r.a.m./id1162244059?uo=4″ title=”Big_Baby_DRAM”]

Fresh off the success of “Cha Cha”, D.R.A.M  dropped his soul influenced, positivity laced new LP “Big Baby D.R.A.M”. With features coming from everyone from Lil Yachty to Erykah Badu, D.R.A.M shook up the hip-hop world with his energetic style of hip-hop. Described by D.R.A.M himself as “trappy-go lucky music”, D.R.A.M clearly differentiated himself from his counterparts this year. “[itunes link=”https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/broccoli-feat.-lil-yachty/id1162247737?i=1162248457&uo=4″ title=”Broccoli” text=”Broccoli”]” is a certified party anthem.