24. Alyssa Bonagura on John Mayer "Room for Squares"

Recorded just outside Nashville TN, on the actual microphone Frank Sinatra used to record "My Way" (!), the 24th episode of My Favorite Album features the gregarious and multi-talented singer/songwriter/producer Alyssa Bonagura rhapsodizing with host Jeremy Dylan on John Mayer's 2001 debut album Room for Squares.

Along the way, they break down tracks "Why Georgia", "No Such Thing", "Back to You" and "3x5", compare "Your Body Is A Wonderland" to Bob Dylan and talk about why Mayer got more screaming live than NSYNC, the way influences define an artist's sound and how the environment songs are written in shapes them. Alyssa closes out the episode with a gorgeous acoustic cover of "3x5" that is not to be missed.

My Favorite Album is a podcast unpacking the great works of pop music. Each episode features a different songwriter or musician discussing their favorite album of all time - their history with it, the making of the album, individual songs and the album’s influence on their own music.

Jeremy Dylan is a filmmaker from Sydney, Australia who has worked in the music industry since 2007. He directed the the feature music documentary Jim Lauderdale: The King of Broken Hearts (out now!) and the feature film Benjamin Sniddlegrass and the Cauldron of Penguins, in addition to many commercials and music videos.

If you’ve got any feedback or suggestions, drop us a line at myfavoritealbumpodcast@gmail.com.