The Heat is On: PVA 2011 3rd Qtr Nominees - Rock

We're back. I really need to get my computer fixed, or replaced. Relying on the library for my computer access can be trying. Of course since they have Verizon for an ISP that explains a lot of the problems getting up again. They must have the worst customer service in the world.

PVA Third Quarter Nominations

ROCK

I had planned this post for Monday, but things kind of went askew. We wont say much in introduction except that was a crowded field this quarter as well.

• Control, Abandon
• Inside These Walls, Brandon Bee
• Listen to the Sound, Building 429
• Beautiful Ashes, Eowyn
• On Fire, Peter Furler
• Freedom Calling, Jake Hamilton
• Easy for you to say, Hello Kelly
• Weights and Measures, Hyland
• Tidal Wave, Rootdown
• Live at the Masquerade, Thousand Foot Krutch
• X: 2011, Various Artists

This one was easy. All these are worthy to win, though Hyland, TFK and Eowyn could wind up being the front runners. Especially Eowyn. This "Chick" has gotten better with each album. I was blown away with Silent Screams, but this time. She is in full Amy Lee mode with Beautiful Ashes. Don't believe me? Check Out the Video for Beautiful Ashes below

What do you think. Agree? Disagree? Especially on Eowyn. Comment Below. Any that I missed?

That concludes things for this quarter. As always, I am Awaiting Your Reply

Lonely No More

I was reading the paper the other day, actually just looking for Sports and Comics (It was the Boston Globe), when I came across a small obituary for Dan Peek. Now most people know him as one of the founders of the band America (Lonely People, Horse with no name). I doubt there are many who would know that he left the band in 1977 to pursue Christian Music. Back when Fox25 Boston was owned by The Christian Broadcasting Network they had a Music/Concert/Video Show called "The Ross Bagley Show". His video/performance of "All Things Are Possible" (this would have been in 1979) is still in my memory. Boy his voice went up high. Not Greg Volz High, but at least hair band high.

The Bible says we should live until we are satisfied. The Seventy or eighty years only applied to Israel in the Wilderness (they had to die off and their Children enter the land). God's standard is 120 years (Genesis 6). By that standard Dan missed middle age. We were robbed. I guess right now we are the Lonely People.

I was surprised that the Contrapuntist didn't break this story early. At least for bloggers.com bloggers, I think I got the scoop. Woo-Hoo.
Dan Peek, Christian Rocker and Founder of Band America Passes Away at 60, Christian News

A Brief Update

I just want all my regular readers to know that I haven't disappeared. My regular location for internet right now went down due to a lightning strike. This location is available, but much less reliable. Hope to be up again at full speed soon.

The Heat is On: PVA 2011 3rd Qtr Nominees - Pop

The biggest category of all, as expected. There are sixteen entries this time around, enough for over two years awards. This is always going to be the genre which requires the most work. Since there is so much to do, I think we should get right on with it.

Pop

Again, just like modern worship, there were some double nominees here, and we'll get to them in a bit.

• Anthem Lights, Anthem Lights (D)
• Inside These Walls, Brandon Bee
• The Road, Tricia Brock (D)
• One Girl, Katelynne Cox (D)
• Jonny Diaz, Jonny Diaz
• My Brain Says Stop but My Heart Says Go, FM Static
• On Fire, Peter Furler (D)
• Love is Taking Over, Dakota Green (D)
• Plain and Simple, Crystal Lewis
• Captivated, Nicole C. Mullen
• Born Again: Miracles Edition, Newsboys
• One True God, Newsong
• Blessings, Laura Story
• Black and White, Royal Tailor (D)
• In the Name of Love, Christina Tarlev (D)
• Home, Nathan Tasker (D)
• You Can Be Loved, Beth Williams

A whole lot of "Debuts" this time around, though of the eight on the list, three are Solo debuts from established artists (Peter Furler, formerly of Newsboys; Tricia Brock, currently of Superchick) or an American Debut (Nathan Tasker has four albums in Australia). Newsboys get a second year in a row nominee by releasing the old Deluxe Album, but it works. You can check my full review of Born Again: Miracles Edition, as well as Anthem Lights, My Brain Says Stop, But My Heart Says Go , One Girl, and Home by clicking on the respective title.

That was a lot. One More category to go, Rock. As it is also a biggie, I will wait until Monday. As always, I am Awaiting Your Reply

The Heat is On: PVA 2011 3rd Qtr Nominees - Modern Worship

We are on to some of the genres that are always well contended. The biggest by far is the Modern Worship genre. It seems just about everyone will make a Worship Album from time to time. And while that's not all bad, it's just that they usually sound exactly the same, or as some would say, are Hillsong Clones. Sometimes you get lucky, and a band will do a worship album while staying true to their sound. Those are awesome. My favorite is still Ardent Worship: Skillet Live. It is the only Worship Album that I listened to in one listening without skipping a track. The Best Worship Album ever.

Modern Worship

The Twelve Nominees doesn't have as much of a ring as The Twelve Apostles or The Twelve Tribes, but it is true nonetheless. We had a full dozen eligible entries this quarter.

• The Road, Tricia Brock
• Perfect Love, Ronnie Freeman
• Freedom Calling, Jake Hamilton
• Love Shine Through, Tim Hughes
• Dwell, Aaron Keyes
• Make it Loud, Martha Munizzi
• Nothing is Impossible, Planetshakers
• Come and Drink, Matthew Reed
• I Will Praise You, Rebecca St. James
• Blessings, Laura Story
• The Journey, Stuart Townend
• As for Me and My House, John Waller

Based on my listening, several of these entries qualified in multiple categories. Matthew Reed and Aaron Keyes have a nomination in Alternative, based on the sound, Jake Hamilton has a second nomination in Rock, and Tricia Brock and Laura Story have a second nomination in Pop. We'll see how all those pan out when the final 7 are announced next year.

Next up is Pop, an always loaded genre. As always, I am Awaiting Your Reply.