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1. Today Kris Allen, this past year's American Idol winner debut his first signle. I found out beforehand that it was actually written by a band I like, the Script. I actually always liked Kris Allen as a contestant on Idol. He was one of my initial underdog picks (even before the top 32) to make it all the way. For a while in the middle he didn't impress me thaat much, but it looks like things worked out for him. So I like the song...although I have mixed thoughts on it. It's mostly because I really like the Script...and I really like the lead singer, his voice and intonations. And when Kris Allen sings it, he takes on some of the same things. It kinda bothers me because I Know that's not Kris Allen coming through but really the Script. Anyways, I'm sure you will be hearing the song "Live Like We're Dying," in the coming days, weeks and months. So here's the Script's version...to see where it all came from.
2. Right now Boys Like Girls are pretty popular for the single "Love Drunk" They also had a couple popular singles in 2007: "Hero/Heroine" and "The Great Escape." A couple weeks ago I discovered their duo with Taylor Swift entitled "Two is Better Than One." I pretty much fell in love. :) I have their album on my computer but hadn't listened to the whole thing. Today a song came on while I was working and really caught my attention. (This is my favorite way to rate music I own. If it comes on and I take notice and make sure I know who it is and such, I know it's a song worth listening to...) But that's what happened with their song "Someone Like You." It's another slower ballad and I like it. I'm a big fan of more punk-type of bands doing slow songs...this fits right in. I hope you enjoy.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Crooks and Battistelli
So I've been excited about an assorted of music I've found lately. Really I'm amazed at how you can always be finding new music and hearing about new artists and such. Considering I've be so actively exploring the music scene the past little while, I really thought I'd see a little drag in finding new artists that I really like. But I've proven myself wrong. First up: Shanna Crooks.
As I listen to her music, Shanna Crooks kinda reminds me of a Natasha Bedingfield meets B*witched (the Irish girl group popular in the late 90s) mix. And I love it. She is definitely a girl's music type of singer. (Seeing that I'm not a guy, I can't exactly predict whether it's something they'd enjoy too...but let me know.) Visit her myspace page to check out her single, "Wakin' Up To Love," which is currently available on iTunes and various other online venders. She also has other great songs posted, but as far as I know, they haven't yet been released and aren't available...yet!
The single was recently featured in a commercial for Clean and Clear's new morning burst product.
The next shout out goes to Francesca Battistelli. I've come across her name before but hadn't actually looked into her stuff. Last night she had a song featured on The Biggest Loser (one of my new addictions). I heard it and thought, oh I need to look up that song. I searched for it at work, finally found the info and here we are. She's actually a Christian musician and released her first studio album last summer (July 2008). Her first single, "I'm Letting Go," was the top 16th song on Christian stations. She's recently been nominated for five Dove Awards. Check out her myspace as well! I've posted the song from the show, "It's Your Life."
As I listen to her music, Shanna Crooks kinda reminds me of a Natasha Bedingfield meets B*witched (the Irish girl group popular in the late 90s) mix. And I love it. She is definitely a girl's music type of singer. (Seeing that I'm not a guy, I can't exactly predict whether it's something they'd enjoy too...but let me know.) Visit her myspace page to check out her single, "Wakin' Up To Love," which is currently available on iTunes and various other online venders. She also has other great songs posted, but as far as I know, they haven't yet been released and aren't available...yet!
The single was recently featured in a commercial for Clean and Clear's new morning burst product.
The next shout out goes to Francesca Battistelli. I've come across her name before but hadn't actually looked into her stuff. Last night she had a song featured on The Biggest Loser (one of my new addictions). I heard it and thought, oh I need to look up that song. I searched for it at work, finally found the info and here we are. She's actually a Christian musician and released her first studio album last summer (July 2008). Her first single, "I'm Letting Go," was the top 16th song on Christian stations. She's recently been nominated for five Dove Awards. Check out her myspace as well! I've posted the song from the show, "It's Your Life."
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Joshua Radin, “Simple Times” 1.99
Amazon is doing it again! I’m really going to have to follow this $1.99 deal more closely, because they’ve featured some great albums already. But again: It’s TODAY only!
This time it’s Joshua Radin’s 2008 album “Simple Times.” If you haven’t heard any of Radin’s stuff, this is a great time to venture into his music. I actually love this album and its low-key nature. His songs have great lyrics and meanings if you want to get way into them, plus they are really relaxing and can serve as excellent background music. (I always put it on when I feel I really need to focus at work!)
From this album I’d suggest “I’d Rather Be With You,” “You’ve Got Growin’ Up to Do,” and “One of Those Days.” If you like his stuff, I’d also suggest “The Fear You Won’t Fall,” which was actually featured of Grey’s Anatomy just a little while ago.
The album was only released last September and debuted at No. 34. The music video for “I’d Rather Be With You” was released in November 2008. Plus it's currently a part of VH1's video countdown.
Oh and Ellen Degeneres actually sought out this artist to sing at her own wedding.
Joshua Radin's Myspace Page
This time it’s Joshua Radin’s 2008 album “Simple Times.” If you haven’t heard any of Radin’s stuff, this is a great time to venture into his music. I actually love this album and its low-key nature. His songs have great lyrics and meanings if you want to get way into them, plus they are really relaxing and can serve as excellent background music. (I always put it on when I feel I really need to focus at work!)
From this album I’d suggest “I’d Rather Be With You,” “You’ve Got Growin’ Up to Do,” and “One of Those Days.” If you like his stuff, I’d also suggest “The Fear You Won’t Fall,” which was actually featured of Grey’s Anatomy just a little while ago.
The album was only released last September and debuted at No. 34. The music video for “I’d Rather Be With You” was released in November 2008. Plus it's currently a part of VH1's video countdown.
Oh and Ellen Degeneres actually sought out this artist to sing at her own wedding.
Joshua Radin's Myspace Page
Friday, February 13, 2009
2.99 Album on Amazon- TODAY ONLY
I know, I know; I just posted about Plain White T's. But they are just featured on lots of things in the last little while. First off, CNN conducted an interview with Tom Higgenson, the group's lead singer. They talked about the new video, the interactive feature, and a little behind the scenes stuff about the band and this singer.
Next, it looks like their new album Big Bad World is being featured today only for only $2.99. With as much as I’ve been saying about them, especially comparatively…well, you’d think I like them a lot more than I do. But in addition to “1,2,3,4” I also suggest listening to “That Girl” (do-do-do, ba-ba-ba, oh-oh-oh, la-la-la), and “Someday.” Come on, it’s 2.99!
With that said, I do want to say that I hope to soon find the time and the means to start adding some serious content—like features and articles rather than update posts. Hopefully soon!
Next, it looks like their new album Big Bad World is being featured today only for only $2.99. With as much as I’ve been saying about them, especially comparatively…well, you’d think I like them a lot more than I do. But in addition to “1,2,3,4” I also suggest listening to “That Girl” (do-do-do, ba-ba-ba, oh-oh-oh, la-la-la), and “Someday.” Come on, it’s 2.99!
With that said, I do want to say that I hope to soon find the time and the means to start adding some serious content—like features and articles rather than update posts. Hopefully soon!
White Horse
Taylor Swift has released the music video for her second single from her "Fearless" album: "White Horse." In addition, she has announced the tour dates for her first headlining tour.
American Idol
As much as I hate to admit the role American Idol has in bringing new artists into the industry, I remember the moment a couple years ago when I realized several artists I found myself liking had, in fact, been discovered on Idol. Daughtry, Kellie Pickler, Elliot Yamin, Katharine McPhee. It's probably a bit obvious that I missed watching the show for several years.
Even though these individuals did not end up winning the glorious Idol title, they have each found their own kind of success in doing what they love to do. Anyone remember Jon Peter Lewis from, what season, uh, three? In 2008, his single "Break the Silence" made it onto my own Summer Songs and the album under the same title, ended up being one of my favorites for the year. (Yea, I do have a lot of favorites.)
See what Jon Peter Lewis is up to.
Now, don't get me wrong, I do love American Idol; I'm just a little hesitant to let the widely publicized series based on the voting records of the 12-year-old masses seriously dictate some of my personal music decisions. But, despite who else might like them, I recognize that I may, in fact, end up really liking some of the future American idols.
All in all, I realize that this music blog can not get by without some mention of this years promising artists. And as I'm looking a little bit into more of the contestants, I'm gaining more of a mindset that all of these singers, whether established before or not, really could be just like any of the emerging artists I've found on my own…if that makes sense.
Wednesday night the Top 36 for American Idol's Season 8 were announced and just a couple hours afterwards changed (I'm personally thankful; I didn't really like Joanna Paciti despite her struggling Hard Knock Life.) But regardless of how any of these contestants will do on the show, I'm excited to perhaps see more promising music coming from the likes of my personal favorites thus far:
Jamar Rogers: OK I know he didn't make the 36 cut, but this was my biggest disappointment of the evening. (I was grumbling to myself for the rest of the episode and with each new male accepted.) But perhaps the future remains bright and we'll be seeing more from him outside of the Idol arena. In fact, I checked out his Myspace page where he's posted a video with him and fellow former-Idol contestant Frankie Jordan. Looks like there will be more to come.
Kris Allen – The mass audience hasn't seen much of this contestant yet—only a brief part of his initial audition was shown—but perhaps this is my way of rooting for the underdog (and he just so happens to be pretty cute). He was, however, part of the White Chocolate Hollywood group (see video below.) Reining from Arkansas, where he studies business at the University of Central Arkansas, he has been a small, local performing with an album of self-written songs. In 2007 he released an album entitled, "Brand New Shoes" and I really want to hear it.
Danny Gokey: Yes he's been one of the fan and judge favorites for a while and has gotten a lot of screen time. He will be performing in the first semi-final round next week so let's see what he pulls out.
Adam Lambert: Maybe it all stems back to his connection to Wicked…
With Utah ties myself, I can't help but secretly root for locals Megan Corkrey and Taylor Vaifanua. Perhaps Taylor can by Utah's female version of Archuleta for this season. But nothing has absolutely wowed me yet.
I’m also undecided about Jackie Tohn. She’s a singer and actress who has appeared on shows such as The Nanny, Bad Boy and Return to Sleepaway Camp. She has a personality that is apparently good for the show cuz they keep featuring her. Her voice has not impressed me too much as of now…oh, and her run away from getting a yes from the judges was a little annoying. But, of course, nothing can compete with dear Tatiana.
Even though these individuals did not end up winning the glorious Idol title, they have each found their own kind of success in doing what they love to do. Anyone remember Jon Peter Lewis from, what season, uh, three? In 2008, his single "Break the Silence" made it onto my own Summer Songs and the album under the same title, ended up being one of my favorites for the year. (Yea, I do have a lot of favorites.)
See what Jon Peter Lewis is up to.
Now, don't get me wrong, I do love American Idol; I'm just a little hesitant to let the widely publicized series based on the voting records of the 12-year-old masses seriously dictate some of my personal music decisions. But, despite who else might like them, I recognize that I may, in fact, end up really liking some of the future American idols.
All in all, I realize that this music blog can not get by without some mention of this years promising artists. And as I'm looking a little bit into more of the contestants, I'm gaining more of a mindset that all of these singers, whether established before or not, really could be just like any of the emerging artists I've found on my own…if that makes sense.
Wednesday night the Top 36 for American Idol's Season 8 were announced and just a couple hours afterwards changed (I'm personally thankful; I didn't really like Joanna Paciti despite her struggling Hard Knock Life.) But regardless of how any of these contestants will do on the show, I'm excited to perhaps see more promising music coming from the likes of my personal favorites thus far:
Jamar Rogers: OK I know he didn't make the 36 cut, but this was my biggest disappointment of the evening. (I was grumbling to myself for the rest of the episode and with each new male accepted.) But perhaps the future remains bright and we'll be seeing more from him outside of the Idol arena. In fact, I checked out his Myspace page where he's posted a video with him and fellow former-Idol contestant Frankie Jordan. Looks like there will be more to come.
Kris Allen – The mass audience hasn't seen much of this contestant yet—only a brief part of his initial audition was shown—but perhaps this is my way of rooting for the underdog (and he just so happens to be pretty cute). He was, however, part of the White Chocolate Hollywood group (see video below.) Reining from Arkansas, where he studies business at the University of Central Arkansas, he has been a small, local performing with an album of self-written songs. In 2007 he released an album entitled, "Brand New Shoes" and I really want to hear it.
Danny Gokey: Yes he's been one of the fan and judge favorites for a while and has gotten a lot of screen time. He will be performing in the first semi-final round next week so let's see what he pulls out.
Adam Lambert: Maybe it all stems back to his connection to Wicked…
With Utah ties myself, I can't help but secretly root for locals Megan Corkrey and Taylor Vaifanua. Perhaps Taylor can by Utah's female version of Archuleta for this season. But nothing has absolutely wowed me yet.
I’m also undecided about Jackie Tohn. She’s a singer and actress who has appeared on shows such as The Nanny, Bad Boy and Return to Sleepaway Camp. She has a personality that is apparently good for the show cuz they keep featuring her. Her voice has not impressed me too much as of now…oh, and her run away from getting a yes from the judges was a little annoying. But, of course, nothing can compete with dear Tatiana.
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