Night Beat Rewind: April 2013

Welcome to the April edition of Night Beat Rewind. Before we get to the entries I want to mention that there were three special edition releases by DC Talk released this month. Re-mastered editions of Free at Last (1992), Jesus Freak (1995), and Supernatural (1998). They're not new, so I won't be giving a score. Just get them. 

There were two perfect albums. Not surprisingly they are both in dance.

Missing The Mark

• Joanna Beasley - Loud Love 3.75 Emeralds
• Chasing Tree - The Light in Miracles 3.50 Emeralds
• Coastal Rise - Call of the Sea 3.00 Emeralds
• Russell and Kristi - No Other Name 3.75 Emeralds
• Social Club - Rejects 3.75 Emeralds
• Tidewater - The Wedding 3.75 Emeralds
• Toarn - Brood of Vipers 3.75 Emeralds 
• Dr. R. A. Vernon & "The Word" Church Praise Team - We're Amazed (Live Worship At "The Word"), Vol. 2 3.75 Emeralds
• Young Noah - Mixtape Volume 2 3.75 Emeralds  

There were three Perfect Albums this month. Two of them were in the dance and electronic genres, which is not surprising. If it makes you move, it is gold, at least.

Pure Platinum

• Har Megiddo - Har Megiddo Remixed 5 Emeralds
• Paramore - Paramore 5 Emeralds
• David Thulin - Reconstruction 5 Emeralds

All three of these albums are must have. I basically had them on repeat for a whole week when trying to review them. As I said, nothing missed the mark, so we are left with that mass of musical talent known each month as 

Semi-Precious Metal

You know, not perfect, but still in the Award pool. Very Good releases actually. On a scale of 1-10 perfect is 10, these are 7-9.

• Ace Augustine - The Sick and Suffering 4.75 Emeralds
• After Edmund - Art and Commerce 4.75 Emeralds
• The Afters - Life Is Beautiful 4.75 Emeralds
• All Sons and Daughters - Live 4.50 Emeralds
• All Things New - All Things New 4.50 Emeralds
• Ark of The Covenant - Self Harvest 4.50 Emeralds
• Charles Billingsley - Charles Billingsley In Concert (Live) 4.25 Emeralds
• C3 (Christian City Church Oxford Falls) - In Your Rhythm 4.75 Emeralds
• Citizen Way - Love Is The Evidence   4.50 Emeralds
• Fallstar - Backdraft 4.50 Emeralds
• For Today - Prevailer [+digital booklet] 4.50 Emeralds
• Hawk Nelson  - Made [+video] 4.50 Emeralds
• House of Heroes - The Knock-Down Drag-Outs 4.75 Emeralds
• The Jellyrox - Embellish EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Shai Linne - Lyrical Theology, Pt. 1: Theology 4.75 Emeralds
• Matt Maher - All The People Said Amen 4.75 Emeralds
• Andy Mineo - Heroes for Sale 4.50 Emeralds
• Jonathan Nelson - Finish Strong 4.50 Emeralds
• North Point Kids -Shine! 4.50 Emeralds
• Over The Ocean - Be Given to the Soil 4.75 Emeralds
• Pilgrim (Josh White) - Pilgrim 4.75 Emeralds
• Joshua Price - Nothing Without You 4.75 Emeralds
• Kerrie Roberts - Time For The Show 4.75 Emeralds
• More Than Rubies - More Than Rubies 4.75 Emeralds
• Silverline - Lights Out 4.75 Emeralds
• Jamie Simond - Collage 4.75 Emeralds
• Martin Smith - God's Great Dance Floor, Step 01 4.50 Emeralds
• Sweet Comfort Band - The Waiting Is Over 4.75 Emeralds
• Various Artists - Come Back Home 4.50 Emeralds
• Ben Walther - Make Your Home in Me 4.50 Emeralds
• Carlos Whittaker - Fight 4.50 Emeralds
• Josh Wilson - Carry Me 4.50 Emeralds
• Young Chozen - G.L.O.W. 4.50 Emeralds

That completes this edition of Night Beat Rewind. Glad I could get it out before June. Hopefully it wont take that long for me to get May out. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply. 

#PlatVnyl3 - Album of The Year

The Album of The Year is given to the album which shone above all others. While all the winners of the Platinum Vinyl Awards contain a certain "wow factor", the Album of the Year, well, does the Big O mean anything to you? Every one of the 10 nominated albums was given a Perfect 5 Emerald Ranking.

• Arise : The Live Worship Experience, William McDowell
• Current , Sarah Macintosh
• Evanescence , Evanescence
• Feel The Power , Blessed By A Broken Heart
• Hats Off To The Bull , Chevelle
• Make It Right , Abel
• Overcome , Lara Landon
• Remembering You , Poema
• True Defiance , Demon Hunter
• Wait for the Siren , Project 86

There was no "first entry bias" as the nominees came from all 4 Quarters in a 3-2-2-3 fashion. Hard Rock had 3 nominees, Rock and Alternative each contributed 2, and Gospel, Pop and Adult Contemporary each contributed a single nominee. Also only three of the entries won their genre. These 10 would be battling to join last years inaugural winner, Barton Hollow by The Civil Wars. That's some big shoes to fill.

The first round of voting knocked out four of the contenders, and two genres. Gone was the sister act Poema and Gospel's McDowell. Hard Rock was reduced to one as both Demon Hunter and the boss's favorite, 80's Hare Metal Band Blessed by a Broken Heart. Did I ever tell you how much I love the 80's?

Destiny would not be with Demon Hunter, but it did wash over the category like a flood. A comeback album, the first release in five years. Songs that touch our darkest moments, vocals which chill spine and soul. The true Revenge of The Fallen. The Winner of This Years Platinum Vinyl Award for Album of The Year is EVANESCENCE.