Night Beat Rewind: December 2012

We close out the year of 2012 with a whimper, at least as far as The Night Beat is concerned. Hey it could be worse, last year we didn't even have a Rewind. All that was released of any note in December 2011 was Hat's off to the bull by Chevelle. Seven releases passed through the Night Beat Offices this month, so I guess that's an improvement.

Of the seven, one stood above the rest, or as we say here at Night Beat HQ, it was:

Pure Platinum

• Thousand Foot Krutch - Metamorphosiz: The End Remixes, Vol. 1

It may be cheating, but I did think that it was worthy of a Perfect 5 Emerald rating. Anytime Andy Hunter is allowed to take the reins of a project, magic is bound to happen.

Of course, there are always albums that don't make the standard we demand at the Platinum Vinyl Awards. Albums which we say are

Missing The Mark

• My Heart to Fear - Lost Between Brilliance and Insanity 3.75 Emeralds
• Jael Johnson - Stay 3.75 Emeralds
• Corey Kilgannon - Let Go 3.50 Emeralds
• Levi the Poet - Seasons 3.25 Emeralds
• Von Won - Shock Therapy 3.75 Emeralds

Once again I must stress that these are not bad albums, just not worthy of award consideration. A 3 Emerald rating is pretty good. You should only worry if it is in the 2's or below. Most albums are somewhere in between. They are not Platinum, but they are what we call

Semi-Precious Metal

• As Cities Burn - Son I Loved You At Your Darkest 4.75 Emeralds
• Coffee Jones of Grits - Fresh Brew 4.50 Emeralds
• Joy Electric - Dwarf Mountain Alphabet 4.75 Emeralds
• Lifehouse - Almeria 4.75 Emeralds
• Pas Neos - Who Do You Say I Am? 4.75 Emeralds
• Beckah Shae - Scripture Snacks, Vol. 2 4.75 Emeralds
• Sons - Keep Quieter 4.75 Emeralds

That concludes 2012 for all intents and purposes. We still have the First Quarter 2013 to announce, but that may take until January. We shall see. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.