Connections’ Andy Hampel and Kevin Elliot performed and recorded three album with their high school band, 84 Nash. After they disbanded, they later formed the band Connections, while bringing on Kevin’s brother Adam as drummer, bassist Phillip Kim, and guitarist Dave Capaldi. Together they recorded “Year One”, a spirited 32 song album which is destined to become a huge fan favorite.

“Finally” is definitely an exciting and energetic song. The melody begins with a rock guitar and the even rhythm of the band’s vocals. “On Your Mind” is a slower rock melody and has a 60’s sound. “1980 Called” will take you back to the days of punk rock and mohawks. “Love St.” has a psychedelic sixties rock feel to it. “Cul-De-Sac” is a mellow yet fun song to listen to. The music is upbeat enough to rock out to, but still enough to relax to.

The quick strumming of the guitar and rapid drum beat in “She’s Cheering Up” give this song its amazing spirit. “Girl’s Night Out” is definitely upbeat and full of energy. If fans were to listen to this song at a concert, there’s a strong chance a crowd surfing session would take place. “Florida, Vegas, Tahoe” is a relaxing soft rock track that the fans will be able to rock out to. The album starts to calm down a bit with “Green Skull”. The guitar duet and the smooth vocals make this a wonderful easy listening-rock track.

“Mall Lights” brings us back to the uptempo rhythms. The fantastic track “Stuck Lung” entertains us with amped up drum beats and and lively guitars. “Sister City” briefly takes us back to the 1960’s once again with soft handclaps and bongo drums. “Miller’s Grove” is a song that takes us back to 70’s rock with the animated guitar strumming and quick drum beats.

“Year One” is a rock album that music fans everywhere will want to covet for their music collection. From the hyped up rhythms of “Finally” to the mellow melody of “Sister City”, all 32 tracks give us something to dance to and even a few songs that help us relax. Connections had the right idea to put together such a marvelous album with impressive upbeat tunes. Whether you can get down to rock or rhythm and blues, this is an album you’re going to want.

Final Grade: A

About The Author

Lauren Beverly

Music Reviewer

I love to write and have been doing so since the age of eight. Fictional stories have always been a favorite of mine, because it gives me a chance to be creative and to express myself in a multitude of ways. On more than one occasion, a song proved to be the inspiration to several stories I have written. Believe it or not, some of those songs were on soundtracks! That’s mostly what I listen to, aside from hits from the 1950’s up to the 1980’s. I’ve learned that anything can be the inspiration to a story, even a poster from the 1990’s or a DVD cover.

I’ve lived in Upper Marlboro all of my life and spent much of my childhood watching cartoons of all kinds, and listening to my older sister’s cassette tapes. Growing up, I listened to everything Jackson related, Paula Abdul, Elton John, and even the controversial group Milli Vanilli. As a teenager, I continued to listen to old-school hits and that was pretty much all I liked, aside from listening to all of Michael Jackson’s music. To this day, I still love old-school hits. That hasn’t changed.

I own a variety of CDs from artists such as Styx, The BeeGees, Michael Jackson, Queen, The Yellow Submarine Soundtrack, and many others. When a soundtrack comes out, there will always be one specific song from that album that I’ll love. It never fails.

I’ve graduated from Bowie State University in December 2013 with a B.A. degree in English.

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