Because Music Matters.
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.
Review by: Jeremy Stephenson’17
Disclaimer: These albums are albums listened to in 2016, these may not actually be albums released in 2016.
5. 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.
Review by: Will O’Connor’20
Disclaimer: These albums are albums listened to in 2016, these may not actually be albums released in 2016.
5. 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.
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 *
5. 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.
Review by: Claire Riley’ 20
Disclaimer: These albums are albums listened to in 2016, these may not actually be albums released in 2016.
5.) I Got Dem Ol’ Kozmic Blues Again Mama! – Janis Joplin – [itunes link=”https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-got-dem-ol-kozmic-blues/id1073650135?uo=4″ title=”I_Got_Dem_Ol_Kozmic_Blues_Again_Mama”]
Words & Photos by Jeremy Stephenson
Hailing from the land down under, Jakübi is a five-piece band that is something entirely different from what you have been listening to. Comprised of five great guys who were all best of friends, actually family, before making music. There are the two brothers, Jerome (vocals and talkbox) and Jacob (bass and moog), the cousins, Adam (or Addzy, guitar) and Jesse (drums) and last but not least the mutual friend of everyone, Rob (guitar). Coming from relatively new beginnings, Jakübi released their first recorded song, “Can’t Afford it All” in 2013 and second, “Holiday” within three weeks of each other gaining more than a 100,000 listens on SoundCloud. Ever since those days of jamming for hours in their studio in Melbourne, Jakübi has been gaining a formidable following in both America and Australia. Recently signing to Epic Records in 2015, Jakübi released their first EP, 61 Barkley (the address of where they recorded their first songs) headlined by their single “Nobody Better”.
Review by: Tara Howell
Right after MoBo surprise released The Perfect Cast EP, I had the chance to see them for the first time at my favorite Baltimore venue, Ottobar, in the fall of 2015. More than any other concert I’ve been to, it felt like a group therapy session. In a room full of strangers, I’ve never felt more connected. It was at this concert that I really, really realized not only how powerful music is, but how special this band really is.
Bear Hands– You’ll pay for this
Released: April 15, 2016
Rate: 7/10
Originally from Brooklyn, NY Bear Hands releases their new album , You’ll pay for this earlier this month. The band comprised of, Dylan Rau, Ted Feldman, Val Loper, TJ Orscher characterizes themselves as being Alternaitive/Indie rock, as ambiguous as the sounds, so is the music on the album. It definitely genre bends, though at the core of the music, it is very much Bear Hands’ sound.
Sabrina Starke-Sabrina Starke
Released: September 9, 2015
Rate: 10/10
Born in Paramaribo, Suriname and raised in the Netherlands, Jazz, R&B, soul, folk fusion artist, Sabrina Starke released her self- titled album Sabrina Starke. If you like Nina Simone, Tracy Chapman or Billie Holliday, you will enjoy Starke and her album.