March Music Madness

As Spring quickly approaches, Scotty B has new new music that will warm you up.  Enjoy!

Ben Kweller is relatively young but is quite experienced nonetheless.  He seems to grow up a bit with the release of every album.  He knows how to write catchy lyrics but maintain his indie image.  Check out some of the new songs off of his latest album, coincidentally named for a fun Spring activity, Go Fly A Kite.

Chiddy Bang's, "Mind Your Manners", is my favorite hip/hop song right now.  It is alternative hip/hop.  Think MGMT featuring Mac Miller.  It is pretty tough not to enjoy this tune.

I am excited for the debut album by Electric Guest.  If their first single is any indication, I think Electric Guest will be on heavy rotation on my playlists.

I always enjoy the innovative tunes of Santigold.  Check out the "Disparate Youth" from her yet to be released new album.

Who doesn't enjoy a good John Mayer song?  Well, he has a new album coming out and "Shadow Days" is the debut single.  It has a bit of a country sound which I really like.

I am loving Green River Ordinance's latest effort.  The single, "Dancing Shoes" is a simple and syrupy country crossover hit.  It has been out for a while, but I expect it to make a run up the charts.

Here is another singer/songwriter that I am listening to, Tyrone Wells.  He has a nice tone and energy.  Check him out.

Fun.  What a great name for a band.  They are an indie pop band from NY, but since Glee used their song, you can take the "indie" part off.  The album is pretty solid and the second single is very good.  Check out their first two singles below.

Dr. Dog is a Philly band that is not new but is new to me.  Be The Void is their latest release and I find the rough and raw qualities to be refreshing in our over-polished culture.  Let me know how you feel about it.

I hope that you have enjoyed this month's tunes.  "Go listen to something great!"- Scotty B

New Songs for February

I am really digging a U.K. artist right now named Ed Sheeran.  He is quite talented.  He has the ability to "build" songs in a live format using a loop pedal.  He also has some pretty good beat box skills.  He is soulful and has solid lyrics and I really think he could be a breakout artist.  Unfortunately, Ed does not have the "look" that America usually needs to have a pop star, so we'll see if his talent is enough to get him noticed on the airwaves.  In fact, you may notice that in the first video, you never even see Ed.  That may not be by accident.

Unfortunately, the White Stripes are no more, however, Jack White recently went into the studio and a solo album should be out in April.  The first track off of the album is called "Love Interruption".  The lyrics have amazingly vivid imagery.  The overall sound is vintage Jack White.

I had never heard of Imperial Teen, but I recently heard them on Spotify.  I assumed they were new, but after doing some research, they have actually been around for 16 years.  I really liked what I heard.  Cool riffs, original choruses and an overall fun and energetic sound.  They kind of have  Beach Boys sound.  The whole album is very solid and should warm you up during a chilly February.

Of Monsters and Men is a new band out of Iceland.  They are a 6 member band consisting of 5 men and one female vocalist.  They remind me of Matt and Kim combined with Mumford and Sons.  They have a great sound.  Their first single, "Little Talks", has a nice blend of accordion and a great beat.  It sounds like a song that everyone would sing at the top of their lungs while in an Irish pub.  Enjoy!

Mona has a new single that should be released on their next album.  The song is entitled "Lean Into The Fall" and it should make it's way up the charts.

The Shins have a new album (their fourth) due in March.  Their first single is quite good, "Simple Song".  I hope that the rest of the album does not disappoint.  With James Mercer at the helm, I doubt that it will.

Hope you enjoyed this month's blog.  Talk to you again in March.

Scotty B

New Tunes for the New Year

I hope everyone had a happy, healthy and safe new year.  You are going to need some new tunes to get 2012 started right.  Check out some things that I have been listening to.  Let me know what you think.


Black Keys El Camino came out towards the end of 2011 and only received an honorable mention in my top 11 albums of 2011.  It is my biggest regret.  The entire album is good and is certainly worthy of cracking last year's list.  It will certainly make my 2012 list.  After "Lonely Boy", "Gold On The Ceiling" is likely the second song to be released as a single.  It too will find its way moving up the charts.  I would not be surprised if half of the tracks end up in a commercials.  Here are a few of my favorite songs.

I am a big fan of Common and his release The Dreamer The Believer.  My favorite songs are "Ghetto Dreams" with Nas, "Blue Sky" and "Celebrate".  Common shows that hip hop can be intelligent and inspirational.  "Celebrate" may become one of my anthems of 2012.  MAKE SURE YOU GIVE IT A LISTEN!

Speaking of anthems, Big Sean, has a song that I can't stop singing, Dance (A$$).  The lyrics are filthy but funny.  Nicki Minaj is on her game as usual.  This song is a staple at H3Brews Ravens tailgate.  Sometimes I even put it on twice.

Nelly has a new song "Champ".  It is vintage Nelly and worth a listen.  I hope it becomes synonymous with the 2012 Ravens!

Steve Aoki just released Wonderland.  It reminds me a lot of David Guetta.  Not as good, but it has several songs that should become hits.  The second song has LMFAO and is a guaranteed hit.

I continue to be impressed with Florence + The Machine.  Florence Welch is just so talented. Her voice is powerful but not overwhelming.  I am a very big fan of their work.  They did a nice job opening for U2.  Ceremonials is their latest release and has several good songs on it.  Here are a few of them:

Wait till you hear Gotye (pronounced Goh-tee-yay).  They are originally from Belgium, but have spent a lot of time in Australia.  Their lead single is "Somebody that I Used To Know".  It is fantastic and has a very cool vibe.  Walk Off The Earth did a very cool cover of this song already and the video is amazing. Another fun song is "In Your Light".  I would not be surprised if Gotye makes some serious noise in 2012.

I hope you enjoyed this month's blog.  If YOU have anything for me to check out, please leave me a message.  I am always searching for great new tunes.