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."

Parachute VA

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