Night Beat Rewind: December 2018

The end of a year and the start of the next. It's a special time. We are in the swing of things here at Night Beat HQ. I think Youppi got into the spiked eggnog at the Christmas Party. Wearing a lampshade and singing Frere Jacque non stop. Oh well. Here's to the New Year.

Christmas Music (Non-Eligible)

• Alan Cox - O Holy Night (Acoustic) (Single) 4.25 Emeralds
• Finding Favour - Christmas on the Radio (Single) 4.25 Emeralds
• Jada Mayson - Son of God, Son of Mine (Single) 4.75 Emeralds
• Rachael Nemiroff - Joy To The World (Wondrous Love) (Single) 5 Emeralds
• Cindy Cruse Ratcliff - Glorious EP 4.75 Emeralds
• The Royal Royal - Ding Dong Merrily On High (Single) 4.75 Emeralds
• Smalltown Poets - Carol of The Bells 5 Emeralds

Christmas 2018 is now over. On to the regular stuff. We begin with the songs.

The Singles Scene

• Meredith Andrews - A Million Saints 5 Emeralds
• Demon Hunter - On My Side 4.75 Emeralds
• Demon Hunter - Peace 4.75 Emeralds
• Elias Dummer - Heartbeat 4.75 Emeralds
• Hillsong United - Good Grace 5 Emeralds
• Peabod - Anti-Social 4.75 Emeralds
• Sadie Robertson - One (ft LO Worship) 4.75 Emeralds
• Switchfoot - All I Need 4.75 Emeralds

On to the albums. Even in the Spirit of Christmas we can't give everyone passing grades. 

Missing The Mark

• Ty Brasel - Destined for Greatness 3.75 Emeralds
• Man of Faith - Insomniac 3.50 Emeralds
• Spirit Fit Music - Worship Workout Hits, Volume 3 3.50  Emeralds
• Spirit Fit Music - Worship Workout Hist, Volume 3 (Instrumentals) 3.75 Emeralds

Only one comment. Those workout musics inspired me to give up working out. On to the good music.

Pure Platinum Perfection

• Celldweller - Remixed Upon a Blackstar Instrumentals 5 Emeralds
• Color Theory - The Majesty of Our Broken Past (Instrumetals) 5 Emeralds
• Eowyn - Just Believe 5 Emeralds
• Hammock - Universalis 5 Emeralds
• Andy Hunter - Presence, Volume 3 5 Emeralds
• Scandroid - The Darkness 5 Emeralds

A very good showing for the end of the year. We give and receive the best here at Night Beat HQ. All we can say is WOW. And we bring things to a close with the middle ground.

Semi Precious Metals

• Canon - Home 4.75 Emeralds
• CRC Music - Greater Than All, Part 2 EP 4.75 Emeralds
• High Street Hymns - High Street Hymns 4.50 Emeralds
• Righteous Vendetta - Reignite: The Fire Inside 4.75 Emeralds
• 3C Live -  Good To Me (Live) 4.75 Emeralds

2018 is in the bag. Have a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year everyone. We will be taking a short break for Christmas, but we hope to have our best of 2018 out before the New Year turns. If we don't, we will see you in 2019. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Night Beat Rewind: November 2018

Two months in and things are really HOT here at #PVX. Things are busy here at Night Beat HQ. The long delayed #PlatVnyl8 has been announced, and will soon be posted on the blog. We hope to have the Best of 2018 Post before 2019. First up, though, is to get the November Rewind done before New Years Day.

Christmas Music (Non-Eligible)

• Chris August - Here is Our Christ (Single) 4.75 Emeralds
• Caleb and Kelsey - Christmas Together 5 Emeralds
• Riley Clemmons - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Single) 5 Emeralds
• Riley Clemmons - Silent Night (Single) 5 Emeralds
• Cochran and Co. - Please Come Home For Christmas (Single) 5 Emeralds
• Leanna Crawford - Christmas Dreamin' (Single) 4.75 Emeralds
• David Dunn - Star (single) 4.75 Emeralds
• David Dunn - Star EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Embassy - Emmanuel EP 5 Emeralds
• Brian Free and Assurance - Christmas EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Tori Harper - The Greatest Love (Once In King David's City) (Single) 4.75 Emeralds
• Koryn Hawthorne - This Christmas (Live)(Single) 5 Emeralds
• Mallory Hope - Christmas Is All About You EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Jess and Gabriel - Ill Be Home EP 4.50 Emeralds
• KJ-52 and Spechouse - Mostest Wonderfullest Time of The Year 5 Emeralds
• Lifepoint Worship - Come and Adore EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Marc Martel - Christmastime Is Here 4.75 Emeralds
• John Mark Mac Millan - Smile In The Mystery 4.75 Emeralds
• The Nelons - A Winter Carol 4.25 Emeralds
• Neon Feather - Carol of The Bells (Single) 5 Emeralds
• Neon Feather - O Come O Come Emmanuel ft Emily Hamilton 4.75 Emeralds
• Northpoint Inside Out - Ring The Bells EP 4.75 Emeralds
• 116 - The Gift: A Christmas Compilation 5 Emeralds
• Peabod - Neverending Christmas (single) 3.50 Emeralds
• Planetshakers - Christmas Volume 2 EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Pray Tell - It's Almost Christmas, Volume II 3.75 Emeralds
• Sarah Reeves - Let It Snow EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Shane and Shane - A Worship Initiative Christmas, Volume 2 4.75 Emeralds
• Stars Go Dim - Christmas Is Here EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Various - A Visible Christmas, Volume 7: Too Much Christmas 4.50 Emeralds
• Kim Walker-Smith - Love Came Down (Single) 5 Emeralds

31 Christmas releases. A very good month. Now on to the non seasonal releases. There are actually a few. We begin with the songs released during the month. 

The Singles Scene

• About A Mile - Make America Great Again 5 Emeralds
• Cochran and Co.- Church (Take Me back) 4.75 Emeralds
• Cochran and Co. - Grace 5 Emeralds
• Aaron Cole - Patient With Me 4.75 Emeralds
• Celldweller - The Seven Sisters (Voicians Remix) 5 Emeralds
• Elias Dummer - Enough 4.75 Emeralds
• Elevation Youth - Have It All 4.75 Emeralds
• Danny Gokey - The Prayer w/Natalie Grant 5 Emeralds
• Hammock - We Watched You Disappear 5 Emeralds
• Hollyn - Horizon 4.75 Emeralds
• Hollyn - You Won't 5 Emeralds
• Mallary Hope - Me 4.50 Emeralds
• Chris Howland - Your Love (HGHTS Remix) 4.75 Emeralds
• I Am They - Reckless Love 4.50 Emeralds
• I Am They - Tremble 4.75 Emeralds
• KB - Die Rich (ft Ray Emmanuel) 4.50 Emeralds
• Hannah Kerr - Split The Sea 4.75 Emeralds
• Eric Kniefel - My Only Aim 4.75 Emeralds
• Sajan Nauriyal - Step In 4.75 Emeralds
• Planetboom - Run To You 5 Emeralds
• Scandroid - Onyx 5 Emeralds
• Mark and Sarah Tillman - You Belong To Me (Oak City Slums Remix) 5 Emeralds
• Tre'Gadd - P4me 4.50 Emeralds
• We Are Messengers - Maybe It's Okay 4.50 Emeralds
• Youngheart - You Tell Me 4.75 Emeralds

24 Non seasonal songs. One note, Elias Dummer former lead of The City Harmonic, so it stands that we should have some good music in the near future from him. On to the albums, and we begin with those that did not make the cut.

Missing The Mark

• Cristabelle Braden - Start With Hello EP 4.25 Emeralds
• Elim Sound - We Say Yes (Live) 4.25 Emeralds
• Connor Flanagan - Skyskrapers 4.25 Emeralds
• Innerwish - Waiting For The Dawn (Reissue from 1998) 4.25 Emeralds

I think we should consider only four MTMs as a Christmas Present of sorts. On to the Perfect Albums.

Pure Platinum Perfection

• The Afters - The Beginning and Everything After 5 Emeralds
• Christafari - 99.4.1. (Reckless Love) 5 Emeralds
• Crowder - I Know A Ghost 5 Emeralds
• Crusoe - A Cure For Gravity 5 Emeralds
• JJ Heller - I Dream of You, Volume II 5 Emeralds
• Hillsong Young and Free - III (Live at Hillsong Conference) 5 Emeralds
• Love and The Outcome - These Are The Days (Deluxe) 5 Emeralds
• Tasha Cobbs Leonard - Heart.Passion.Pursuit (Live at Passion City Church) 5 Emeralds
• MAE - Multisensory Aesthetic Experience 5 Emeralds
• Memphis May Fire - Broken 5 Emeralds
• Salt of The Sound - Beyond Here 5 Emeralds
• Soulbreather - Come Along 5 Emeralds
• Mark and Sarah Tillman - Morning Sun, Rising Tide (Instrumental) 5 Emeralds

A Platinum Dozen. Still most of the music is in the middle

Semi-Precious Metals

• Amongst The Giants - Obscene 4.75 Emeralds
• Casting Crowns - Only Jesus 4.75 Emeralds
• Celldweller - Remixed Upon A Blackstar 4.75 Emeralds
• Christ Fellowship Worship - What Love Looks Like (Live) 4.75 Emeralds
• Coyote Choir - Volume 1 4.50 Emeralds
• Emery - Eve 4.75 Emeralds
• Sean Feucht - Wild (Live) 4.75 Emeralds
• Brook Fraser - B Sides 4.75 Emeralds
• Influencers - On Earth/In Heaven EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Innerwish - Inner Strength (2006 Re-Issue) 4.50 Emeralds
• Innerwish - Silent Faces (2004 Re-Issue) 4.75 Emeralds
• Jessica Johnson Garcia - JJ+Garcia 4.75 Emeralds
• Joshua's Troop - Another Chance 4.75 Emeralds
• Land of Color - Land of Color EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Tamela Mann - Us Against The World: The Love Project 4.75 Emeralds
• Robin Mark ft. New Irish Choir and Orchestra - A Belfast Symphony (Live) 4.75 Emeralds
• William Matthews - Kosmos 4.75 Emeralds
• Kevin Max - Romeo Drive 4.75 Emeralds
• Needtobreathe - Acoustic (Live), Volume 1 4.50 Emeralds
• Northpoint Inside Out - Northpoint Inside Out EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Brian Ortize - Open The Windows Ep 4.75 Emeralds
• P.O.D. - Circles 4.75 Emeralds
• Andrew Peterson - Resurrection Letters Anthology 4.75 Emeralds
• Plumb - Crazy About You (Remixes) 4.75 Emeralds
• Prestonwood Worship - Songs of the People: Revival EP 4.75 Emeralds
• River Valley Worship - Million Lifetimes: Deconstructed EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Selah - You Raise Me Up: Greatest Hits 4.75 Emeralds
• 7eventh Time Down - Brand New Day EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Silent Planet - When The End Began 4.75 Emeralds
• Russ Taff - Believe 4.75 Emeralds
• Steve Taylor - Squint (1993 25th Anniversary Re-Issue) 4.75 Emeralds
• Bryan and Katie Torwalt - Praise Before My Breakthrough EP 4.75 Emeralds
• DA T.R.U.T.H. - Vet 4.75 Emeralds
• Unspoken - Just Give Me Jesus EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Victoria - Victoria EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Josh White and Josh Garrels - Josh White and Josh Garrels EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Josh Wilson - Don't Look Back EP 4.75 Emeralds

November is in the bag, and a slow December may allow me to get that in before years end. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Night Beat Rewind: October 2018

We are underway for #PVX or Platinum Vinyl 10. I can hardly believe that it has been almost a decade that I have been doing this. My first post was July 8, 2010, so we have a few months for the big celebration. The Platinum Vinyl Awards, however, got backdated, so we could have a non-calendar eligibility year like all the other awards. We begin this time of year with the Christmas Music, which, thankfully, is not eligible. 

Christmas Music (Non-Eligible)

• Hannah Kerr - Christmas Eve in Bethlehem 4.75 Emeralds
• Matt Maher - The Advent of Christmas 5 Emeralds
• North Point Inside Out - Emmanuel (Hope of Heaven) ft Seth Condrey (Single) 4.50 Emeralds
• Ivan Parker - Christmas Dreams 4.75 Emeralds
• David Phelps - It Must Be Christmas 4.25 Emeralds
• Mark Schultz - Mark Schultz Christmas 4.75 Emeralds
• Various - A Motown Gospel Christmas 5 Emeralds
• Ce Ce Winans - Somethings Happening: A Christmas Album 4.75 Emeralds
• Darlene Zschech - The Table: A Christmas Worship Gathering 4.75 Emeralds

A very good mix, and, since there is no award for this genre, there is no bias. I usually like Mr. Phelps Christmas music, but it seemed so pedestrian this time around. We move on to the songs released during the month.

The Singles Scene

• AT4G - Retribution 5 Emeralds
• Antarctic Wastelands - Farthest Dreams 5 Emeralds
• Steven Curtis Chapman - Remember to Remember 5 Emeralds
• Aaron Cole - Making History 4.75 Emeralds
• Crusoe - Go And Get It ft. Zayde Wolf 4.75 Emeralds
• da Foo - One In A Million 4.50 Emeralds
• Keitron Fountain - Be In Your Presence 4.25 Emeralds
• G12 Worship (fka Soulfire Revolution) - All Things New 5 Emeralds
• London Gatch - New Stories ft Brandon Lake 4.75 Emeralds
• Travis Green - See The Light ft Jekalyn Carr 4.75 Emeralds
• Hammock - Universalis 5 Emeralds
• Caleb Hammon - Great I Am 4.50 Emeralds
• Spenser Kane - Wavy (ft Jor'dan Armstrong) 4.75 Emeralds
• DJ Kirk - Fighting Through It 5 Emeralds
• Tasha Layton - Love Lifting Me 4.75 Emeralds
• LEAH - Lion Arises 5 Emeralds
• TobyMac - The Elements 5 Emeralds
• Rachael Nemiroff - Heart of Stone 4.75 Emeralds
• Matthew Parker - Breathe 4.75 Emeralds
• Scott Ralley - Fan My Flame 4.50 Emeralds
• Salt of The Sound - For Those Who Wander 5 Emeralds
• 7eventh Time Down - Help Me 4.75 Emeralds
• One Sonic Society - Love Song ft Elle Limebear 4.75 Emeralds
• Switchfoot - Native Tongue 4.75 Emeralds
• Kenneth Thomas and Goshen Sai - Soaked [FSOE] 4.75 Emeralds
• Veridia - Cheshire Smile 4.75 Emeralds
• Jeremy James Whitaker - Feelings (Instrumental) 4.75 Emeralds

Platinum Vinyl 10 is getting off to a good start. On to the albums. We begin with those albums that do not make the cut.

Missing The Mark

• Dillon Chase - Joyful Loser 4.25 Emeralds
• Ben and Noelle Kilgore - A Resting Place EP 4.25 Emeralds

Two albums miss the mark. I must be getting soft. Now to those albums which surpass all expectations.

Pure Platinum Perfection

• Evanescence - Synthesis Live (CD/DVD) 5 Emeralds
• For King and Country - Burn The Ships 5 Emeralds
• LEAH - The Quest 5 Emeralds
• Toby Mac - The Elements 5 Emeralds
• Marc Martel - Thunderbolt and Lightning 5 Emeralds
• Twenty One Pilots - Trench 5 Emeralds
• Planetshakers - Heaven on Earth 5 Emeralds
• Holly Starr - Human (Deluxe Edition) 5 Emeralds
• Various - WoW Hits 2019 5 Emeralds
• Veridia - The Beast You Feed 5 Emeralds

10 to 2. Definitely a sign of softening standards. I plead the holidays. Canadian Celtic Metal Mistress LEAH, Twenty One Pilots, and Mark Martel (Queen Covers) all make a strong Fringe showing. So does Veridia, with a duet with Amy Lee of Evanescence.

Semi-Precious Metals

• Anthem Lights - Worship 4.75 Emeralds
• Francesca Battistelli - Own It 4.75 Emeralds
• Lauen Bea - Wildflower 4.50 Emeralds
• Lisa Page Brooks - My Life EP 4.75 Emeralds
• CRC Music - Greater Than All, Part 1 EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Aaron Cole - The Other Side EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Covenant Worship - Covenant Worship (Live) 4.50 Emeralds
• Michael Farren - Fighting For Us 4.50 Emeralds
• Fight The Fury - 
• GAWVI - Panorama 4.75 Emeralds
• Christon Gray - Clear The Heir 4.75 Emeralds
• The Gray Havens - She Waits 4.75 Emeralds
• Influence Music - Mistakes EP ft Melody Noel 4.75 Emeralds
• Iron Bell Music - Glory To Glory 4.75 Emeralds
• Jenny and Tyler - There Will Be A Song (Deluxe) 4.50 Emeralds
• Carmen Justice - Quarter Life Crisis EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Lovelite - Apocalypse Hymnal 4.75 Emeralds
• Matthew Parker - Daydreamer 4.75 Emeralds
• Planetshakers - Heaven on Earth, Part Three 4.75 Emeralds
• Psalm - Deathproof 4.75 Emeralds
• Sarah Reeves - Easy Never Needed You 4.75 Emeralds
• Gerry Skrillz - Hundred Proof EP 4.75 Emeralds
• J Steph - Glory: The Remixes 4.50 Emeralds
• Tenth Avenue North - The Things We've Been Afraid To Say EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Chris Tomlin - Holy Roar 4.75 Emeralds

That does it. October is in the bag. Platinum Vinyl 10 is under way. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.

Hungry Beasts and Ghosts, Oh My.

Sometimes the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Yes, I know that's mathematically impossible, but we're dealing with emotions here. And sometimes the rawer the emotion, the better. Especially when we're dealing with Music.

The Beast You Feed by VERIDIA is chock full of raw emotion. You will be pulled in so many directions with this album and be left bawling at the end. Just fair warning so you can get your tissues ready. If I need them, you'll need them.

For an album featuring so much raw on your sleeve emotion it is somewhat ironic that it's opening that the opening track is Numb, featuring a bridge like this

And life is perfect Drown out the sanity It’s really perfect When I can’t feel a thing

You will feel. Whether its anger (Savage), regrets (Ghosts) or hope (I Won't Stay Down), you will relate. Remember what I said about the whole being greater than the individual parts. None of the songs, save for the final cut, really stand out on their own, but they are part of a journey, a theme, that draws you in, wrings you out, and leaves you primed for the finale. Yes, it's manipulative, but in a good way. It's therapy. Kind of Like an Evanescence Album.

Which brings us to our final song I'll never be ready. Written by lead singer Deena Jakoub (Veridia) with backing vocals and piano by the immortal Amy Lee. I agree totally with Amy, this song, this collaboration, was totally orchestrated by God himself. I want you to experience this. I know I must have been a sight in the donut shop listening and sniffling.

I think you know where this is going. 5 Emeralds on the strength of the final cut. Certain albums are therapy, and cost a whole lot less than a psychiatrist. Evanescence has been my therapist for a long time, and I think Dr. Deena might be a referral from time to time. Get this album, and some tissues. Until next time I am (sniffle) Awaiting Your Reply.

Backmasking Number Nine: The 2018 Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Qtr - Modern Worship

This is it, the grand finale of #PlatVnyl9. And what a way to go. Modern Worship won the quarter with 22 entries. That's 3 full finals. There's not much to say here but wow.

Modern Worship

• David and Nicole Binion - Dwell
• Mack Brock - Greater Things
• Caleb and Kelsey - Timeless Worship
• The Church Vessel - The Outcome
• Elevation Worship - Hallelujah Here Below
• Gateway - Greater Than
• Grace City - Grace City (Live)
• HRC Worship - HRC Worship EP
• Highlands Worship - You're Here EP
• Hillsong Worship - There Is More: Studio Sessions EP
• Inspiration Worship - Powerful
• Jesus Culture - Living With A Fire (Live)
• Laity - Still EP
• Lakewood Music - Live In The Wonderful: The Album
• Lifelight Worship - Bold EP
• Mosaic MSC - Heaven EP 
• Planetshakers - Heaven On Earth, Part 2
• Rend Collective - Good News (Deluxe) 
• Martin Smith - Love Song For A City 
• Upperroom - Moments II
• Vertical Worship - Planetarium
• Vineyard Worship - Vineyard Soul: Generous God

22 entries in a quarter. There are a lot of excellent entries that will be left out of the finals this year. The entries for #PlatVnyl9 are now completed. Now begins the greatest one yet, and in the Super Bowl tradition we will go roman.

PVX

Is now upon us. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Backmasking Number Nine: The 2018 Platinum Vinly Awards 4th Qtr - Gospel

Gospel Music (the REAL kind) accounted for 15 entries this quarter. That's two full years worth of entries in just one quarter. With that kind of show it is obvious that a great amount of judging will be needed.

Gospel/R&B

• Jor'dan Armstrong - BLSD EP
• Jor'dan Armstrong - 2 BLSD EP
• James Fortune - James Fortune: The Collection
• Koryn Hawthorne - Unstoppable
• Israel Houghton and New Breed - Road To DeMaskUs
• Brent Jones - Open Your Mouth and Say Something
• Tori Kelly - Hiding Place
• Lexi - Just Listen: The Remixes
• Keyondra Lockett - The Heal
• Will McMillan - My Story
• Jonathan McReynolds - Make More Room
• Jonathan Nelson - Declarations
• Powerhouse Fellowship Soul Choir ft Shawn Cotterell - It's Not Over (Live)
• Bishop Leonard Scott - Jesus Loves Legacy
• Bryan Andrew Wilson - This Time EP

We've got a mix of veterans and newcomers and 5 Perfect 5's this quarter. And one perfectly named album. Koryn Hawthorne (her debut) looks to be quite unstoppable. The winner this quarter is Modern Worship with a Whopping 22 entries. What a way to end PV9. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply. 

Backmasking Number Nine: The 2018 Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Qtr - Rap

Rap and its sister sibling Hip Hop accounted for 10 entries this quarter. That's a final genre plus an additional three. As many as this is, there are two other genres left which completely blow this one away.

Hip Hop/Rap

• Benjah - PainTings EP
• Brvndon P - Better Late Than Never
• King Chav - The Golden Lining EP
• Czar Josh - For Your Heart EP
• I Am The Storm - Fight Musik, Volume 1
• Andy Mineo - II: The Sword
• Jered Sanders - Hurry Up And Wait
• Skrip - The Trap
• Joey Vantes - The Fall EP

We are onto the final stretch. Next up is Gospel with 15 entries, and that isn't the winner. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Backmasking Number Nine: The 2018 Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Qtr - Pop

Nine Numbers in Number Nine. Pop Music had nine entries this quarter. We get to it right away. 

Pop Music

• Austin Mark Adams - The Return EP
• Chris August - What You're Looking For EP
• Blanca - Shattered 
• Dan Bremnes - Wherever I Go EP
• Lauren Daigle - Look Up Child
• Jason Gray - The Kipper Gray Sessions EP
• Branan Murphy - Branan Murphy EP
• Nathan Sheridan - Broken With You
• Chris Tomlin - Nobody Likes Me Like You EP

3 Perfect 5 albums from one genre in a quarter. This is one tough genre. Rap is next up. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Backmasking Number Nine: The 2018 Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Qtr - Adult Contemporary

Adult Contemporary (and Inspirational Music) are next up. From now on all the posts exceed a final genre of 7 entries. AC Music has eight entries.

Adult Contemporary/Inspirational

• Pat Barrett - Pat Barrett
• Aaron Boyd - Jericho
• Austin French - Wide Open
• Elvis Presley - Where No One Stands Alone
• Shane and Shane - Hymns, Volume 1
• Chris Sligh - A Modern Liturgy
• Aaron Strumpel - Mighty Refuge
• Phil Wickham - Living Hope

Three Perfect Albums are in this group this quarter. Of course the remastered reissued Elvis Presley may not make the final cut. A little snag regarding Mister Presley not being alive may make it ineligible. Hey, this isn't the Democrat Party. Next up is Pop with 9. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Backmasking Number Nine: The 2018 Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Qtr - Rock

The other genre in our quarterly tie is Rock Music. Seven entries counts as a full slate in the finals, so you know we have judging to do.

Rock Music

• Building 429 - Live The Journey
• Carrollton - Made For This
• Collington - In Between
• The New Respects - Before The Sun Goes Down
• The Protest - Legacy
• Zach Williams - Survivor: Live From Harding Prison EP
• Zahna - Red For War

We have some new surprises this quarter. Zahna (former lead singer for Ilia) is a great new hard rock act. And the New Respects? Funk is Back. The next genre up is Adult Contemporary.

Backmasking Number Nine: The 2018 Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Qtr - Live Recorded Album

Our quarterly tie is upon us. We had a tie with seven entries of Live Recorded Album and Rock Album. Let's get to it. The first of them is Live Recorded Album.

Live Recorded Album

• The Church Vessel - The Outcome (Live)
• Grace City - Grace City (Live)
• Jesus Culture - Living With A Fire (Live)
• Planetshakers - Heaven on Earth, Part 2
• Powerhouse Fellowship Soul Choir ft Shawn Cotterrell - It's Not Over (Live)
• Martin Smith - Love Song for a City (Live)
• Zach Williams - Survivor: Live From Harding Prison EP

A nice mix. Rock is up next. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Backmasking Number Nine: The 2018 Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Qtr - Dance

5 entries is the minimum bar for a genre to reach to get its own post in the quarterly wrap. Dance just met it this time around. We won't spend much time in introduction. Let's get going. 

Dance-Synthpop

• Riley Clemmons - Riley Clemmons
• Color Theory - The Majesty of our Broken Past
• Caitie Hurst - How Could I Be Silent EP
• Manafest - Stones Reloaded
• Joel Vaughn - Control, Volume 1 EP

A nice mix of young and old. Our quarterly tie is next. Live Album is up next. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Backmasking Number Nine: The 2018 Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Qtr - Electronic Instrumental Children's Compilation

The final of our megaposts is upon as we roll out our final reveal of the 2018 Platinum Vinyl Award Eligibility Year Reveal. From here on out it is all single genre posts. 

Children's Music

• Hillsong Kids - Can You Believe It?
• Ellie Holcomb - Sing: Creation Songs EP

Compilation Album

• Various Artists - God Bless The Broken Road (Music From and Inspired by The Original Motion Picture)
• Various Artists - God Hears Her

Electronic-Industrial

• Celldweller - Wish Upon A Blackstar Remix Contest Compilation
• Narrow Skies - Seasons: Remixed
• Rivers and Robots - Discovery

Instrumental

• James Gardin - Until It All Makes Sense Instrumental

That does it for the megaposts. The first of the single genre posts is Dance-Synthpop, which clears the bar with 5 entries. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Backmasking Number Nine: The 2018 Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Qtr - Alternative Folk Metal Remix

The final quarter of #PlatVnyl9 is completed, and by some miracle I have managed to quickly compile the wrap. Hopefully that is a sign that we are climbing into normalcy. The first of two megaposts are here. The four genres in this post are responsible for nine entries total. Let's get to it.

Alternative Rock

• Eisley - I'm Only Dreaming of Days Long Past
• Narrow Skies - Seasons: Acoustic Sessions

Folk Music/Folk Rock

• Matthew Thiessen and The Earthquakes - Wind Up Bird
• Vocal Few - Grand Pre EP

Hard Rock/Heavy Metal

• Earth Groans - Rahab 
• Fit For A King - Dark Skies

Remix

• Celldweller - Wish Upon A Blackstar Remix Contest Compilation
• Lexi - Just Listen: The Remixes
• Narrow Skies - Seasons: Remixed

The first of our megaposts is in the bag. The 4th Quarter reveal is underway. Our final megapost is later today. Missed the deadline yesterday, so two today. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Night Beat Rewind: September 2018

Number Nine, Number Nine, Number Nine....Is now over. The eligibility year that was #PlatVnyl9 is now over, closed, kaput. It is hard to believe that it has been almost ten years since I started all this. Actually the official start of this incarnation of The Night Beat is 07/08/10, so we've got about 2 years to get a party organized. The first Platinum Vinyl Award Year was backdated for October 1, 2009 until September 30, 2010. Anyway, let's get it started.

The Singles Scene

• Austin and Lindsey Adamec - Consuming Fire 4.50 Emeralds
• Pat Barrett - Sails (ft Steffany Gretzinger and Amanda Cook) 5 Emeralds
• Francesca Battistelli - The Breakup Song (AC.jR and Brady James Remix) 5 Emeralds
• Christabelle Braden - Light In The Dark 4.50 Emeralds
• Canyon Hills Worship - It Is Will (My Soul Sings) 4.75 Emeralds
• Celldweller - Birthright (Biometrix Remix) 5 Emeralds
• Celldweller - I Can't Wait (The Qemists Remix) 5 Emeralds
• Elevation Worship - Hallelujah Here Below 4.75 Emeralds
• Emery - Is This The Real Life? 5 Emeralds
• Emery - Safe 5 Emeralds
• Empty Isles - See You 5 Emeralds
• Michael Farren - I Belong To Jesus (Oh Hallelujah) 4.75 Emeralds
• Jordan Feliz = Changed (OKHI Roller Rink Remix) 4.75 Emeralds
• Firstlast - Found (ft. Binky P) 5 Emeralds
• Fearless BND - Victorious 5 Emeralds
• Freedom Church - Jesus I'm Sorry (Spontaneous) (Live at The Cave) 4.50 Emeralds
• Freedom Church - Running The Race (LIve at The Cave) 4.75 Emeralds
• London Gatch - Oh What Perfect Love 4.75 Emeralds
• Handle With Care - Close To You 4.75 Emeralds
• Hillsong United - Not Today 5 Emeralds
• Chris Howland - Majesty (ft Jake James) 4.75 Emeralds
• IAIRVS -For My Town 4.75 Emeralds
• Isla Vista Worship - Dancing On The Moon (HXLY KXSS Remix) 4.75 Emeralds
• Kari Jobe - Cover The Earth ft Cody Carnes 5 Emeralds
• Hannah Kerr - Glimpse 4.75 Emeralds
• DJ Kirk - Every Little Thing (DJ Kirk Bootleg Remix) 4.50 Emeralds
• Avril Lavigne - Head Above Water 5 Emeralds
• Local Sound - Nobody 4.75 Emeralds
• Matt Maher - Because He Lives (Live From Steinway) 5 Emeralds
• TobyMac - Scars 5 Emeralds
• New Hope Oahu - Psalm 40 (A New Song) 4.75 Emeralds
• North Point Inside Out - All The World ft Heath Balltzglier 4.75 Emeralds
• Passion - God You're So Good ft Travis Green 4.75 Emeralds
• Sarah Reeves - I Love You ft Kirk Franklin 5 Emeralds
• Salt of The Sound - Deep Peace 5 Emeralds
• Silent Planet - In Absence 5 Emeralds
• Southville - Breathless 4.75 Emeralds
• Terine - One ft Nathaniel Washington 4.75 Emeralds
• Tim Timmons - I Belong ft Amy Grant 5 Emeralds
• Unspoken - You've Always Been 5 Emeralds
• Jhonny Vergel - Salvation (Instrumental) 5 Emeralds
• Veridia - I Won't Stay Down 4.75 Emeralds

46 Songs wrap up #PlatVnyl9. Talk about stuffing the ballot box. On to the albums. 

Missing The Mark

• Jordan Armstrong - Blsd (Deluxe) 4.25 Emeralds
• Ric Sincere - Beyond Belief 3.75 Emeralds

Only 2 albums missed the cut. I guess I'm in  a giving mood this time of year. You'll really see what I mean next.

Pure Platinum Perfection

• Blanca - Shattered 5 Emeralds
• Building 429 - Live The Journey 5 Emeralds
• Lauren Daigle - Look Up Child 5 Emeralds
• Fit For A King - Dark Skies 5 Emeralds
• Austin French - Wide Open 5 Emeralds
• Gateway - Greater Than 5 Emeralds
• I Am The Storm - Fight Music, Volume 1 5 Emeralds
• Lakewood Music - Live In The Wonderful: The Album 5 Emeralds
• Keyondra Lockett - The Heal 5 Emeralds
• Manafest - Stones Reloaded 5 Emeralds
• Powerhouse Fellowship Soul Choir ft Shawn Cotterrell - It's Not Over (Live) 5 Emeralds
• Rivers and Robots - Discovery 5 Emeralds
• Nathan Sheridan - Broken With You 5 Emeralds
• Various Artists - God Hears Her 5 Emeralds

14 Perfect Albums: Talk About a Candy Store.

Semi-Precious Metals

• Chris August - What You'r Looking For EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Aaron Boyd - Jericho 4.75 Emeralds
• Dan Bremnes - Wherever I Go EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Mack Brock - Greater Things 4.75 Emeralds
• Carrollton - Made For This 4.75 Emeralds
• The Church Vessel - The Outcome 4.75 Emeralds
• Elevation Worship - Hallelujah Here Below 4.75 Emeralds
• Grace City - Grace City (Live) 4.50 Emeralds
• Grandpa Loves Rhinos - Better Eat Your Wheaties EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Jason Gray - The Kipper Gray Sessions EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Hillsong Kids - Can You Believe It? 4.75 Emeralds
• Ellie Holcomb - Sing: Creation Sings EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Israel Houghton and New Breed - Road To Demaskus 4.75 Emeralds
• Brent Jones - Open Your Mouth and Say Something 4.75 Emeralds
• Tori Kelly - Hiding Place 4.75 Emeralds
• MAE - 3.0 EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Jonathan McReynolds - Make More Room 4.75 Emeralds
• Andy Mineo - II: The Sword EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Mosaic MSC - Heaven EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Branan Murphy - Branan Murphy EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Narrow Skies - Seasons: Acoustic Sessions 4.75 Emeralds
• Jonathan Nelson - Declarations 4.50 Emeralds
• Shane and Shane - Hymns, Volume 1 4.50 Emeralds
• Joey Vantes - The Fall EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Various Artists - God Bless The Broken Road (Music From and Inspired By The Original Motion Picture) 4.75 Emeralds
• Joel Vaughn - More Than Good Enough 4.75 Emeralds
• Zach Williams - Survivor: Live From Harding Prison EP 4.75 Emeralds

And that does it except for one thing. It is only September, but we already have our first Christmas Release. Central Live - Thrill of Hope gets 4.75 Emeralds. Of course there is no Christmas Music Category. 

#PlatVnyl9 eligibility is now over. Henceforth we are in the season of

#PVX

 

 

Music Video Monday: Head Above Water

Welcome to an all new edition of Music Video Mondays. We have a doozie this time. Let's get things started. We begin with a new video by Emery. They will be coming out with a new album soon (Yea!) and have been dribbling out some songs to get our appetite going. Is This The Real Life?

Next up we have Pat Barrett. Recently he teamed up with Amanda Cook and Steffany Gretzinger. This is Sails.

And finally, a bit of a cross-over. Avril Lavigne was a pop princess back in the day, and then seemed to slip off the scene. She has re-emerged with a New Found Faith. This is the extremely powerful Head Above Water. Welcome to The Night Beat Avril.

That does it for this edition of Music Video Monday. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Night Beat Rewind: August 2018

We are way behind schedule at Night Beat HQ, but we are finally ready to go. So without further ado, we have the penultimate Rewind of the #PlatVnyl9 Eligibility Year.

The Singles Scene

• A-Tonix and Sven E ft Zara Taylor - Forgiven 5 Emeralds
• The Afters - Well Done 5 Emeralds
• Anchor Worship - Emmanuel 4.75 Emeralds
• Anthem Lights - You Say (Cover) 4.75 Emeralds 
• Canon - Trolls 4.75 Emeralds
• CASS - White Noise ft Chris Howland 4.75 Emeralds
• Casting Crowns - Only Jesus 4.75 Emeralds
• Aaron Cole - Exclusive 4.50 Emeralds
• Aaron Cole - Yo Handz  ft Caleb Crouse 4.50 Emeralds
• Lauren Daigle - Still Rolling Stones 5 Emeralds
• DJ em-D - Turn Those Lights On ft Spencer Kane 4.75 Emeralds
• DJ 4:12 - French Water ft Parris Chanz 4.50 Emeralds
• DJ Kirk - Just Jesus (DJ Kirk Bootleg Remix) 4.75 Emeralds
• Elevation Worship - Echo ft Tauren Wells 4.75 Emeralds
• Elevation Worship - Here Again 5 Emeralds
• Elevation Worship - Won't Stop Now 5 Emeralds
• Fireflight - Die Free ft Kevin Young 5 Emeralds
• FreeG - Feet In The Sand (X-Stylez Two-M Edit) 4.75 Emeralds
• Gateway Worship - Deliverance 5 Emeralds
• Gateway Worship - Stand In Your Love 5 Emeralds
• I Am The Storm - I Am The Storm 4.75 Emeralds
• I Am The Storm - These Lines 4.75 Emeralds
• Informants Worship - Show Me 5 Emeralds
• Carmen Justice - Poco A Poco 4.75 Emeralds
• Tori Kelly - Never Alone ft Kirk Franklin 5 Emeralds
• For King and Country - Amen 4.75 Emeralds
• MAE - Let It Die 4.75 Emeralds
• Matt Maher - Hold Us Together (Live From Steinway) 4.75 Emeralds
• Mission - Thank You Lord ft V.Rose 5 Emeralds
• Mosaic MSC - Maker of The Heavens 4.75 Emeralds
• North Point Inside Out - By My Side ft Emily Harrison 4.75 Emeralds
• Planetboom - Lemme Tell Ya 5 Emeralds
• Sarah Reeves - Always Been You 4.75 Emeralds
• Scandroid - Shout (Josh Money Remix) 5 Emeralds
• 7Eventh Time Down - I Have Decided 5 Emeralds
• Silent Planet - Share The Body 5 Emeralds
• Holly Starr - Human (Matthew Parker Remix) 4.75 Emeralds
• Switchfoot - You Found Me 5 Emeralds
• Vineyard UK - Endless Praises (Live from DTI) 4.75 Emeralds
• Vive Worship - Heavens Hand 4.75 Emeralds
• Zakery - Too Many Knives ft Color Theory 4.75 Emeralds

41 Entrants this month. That's going to make for tough judging. On to the albums, and we begin with those releases which don't make the cut.

Missing The Mark

• James Gardin - Until It All Makes Sense EP 4.25 Emeralds
• Eric Heron - Duos EP 3.75 Emeralds
• KJ-52 and Goldinchild - Sons of Intellect 4.25 Emeralds
• Mark Schultz - Follow 3.75 Emeralds
• Weathered - Stranger Here 3.75 Emeralds

Now on to the albums which set their own standard. The cream de la Cream.

Pure Platinum Perfection

• James Fortune - James Fortune: The Collection 5 Emeralds
• Jesus Culture - Living With A Fire (Live) 5 Emeralds
• Elvis Presley - Where No One Stands Alone 5 Emeralds
• Rend Collective - Good News (Deluxe) 5 Emeralds
• The New Respects - Before The Sun Goes Down 5 Emeralds
• Matthew Thiessen and The Earthquakes - Wind Up Bird 5 Emeralds
• Phil Wickham - Living Hope 5 Emeralds
• Zahna - Red For War 5 Emeralds

Semi-Precious Metals

• Austin Mark Adams - The Return EP 4.50 Emeralds
• David and Nicole Binion - Dwell 4.75 Emeralds
• Caleb and Kelsey - Timeless Worship 4.50 Emeralds
• King Chav - The Golden Lining EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Riley Clemmons - Riley Clemmons 4.75 Emeralds
• Collington - In Between 4.75 Emeralds
• Color Theory - The Majesty of Our Broken Past 4.75 Emeralds
• Earth Groans - Rahab 4.50 Emeralds
• Vocal Few - Grand Pre EP 4.75 Emeralds
• James Gardin - Until It All Makes Sense Instrumentals EP 4.75 Emeralds
• HRC Worship - HRC Worship EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Catie Hurst - How Could I Be Silent EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Inspiration Worship - Powerful 4.75 Emeralds
• Czar Josh - For Your Heart EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Lifelight Worship - Bold EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Derek Minor - THe Trap 4.50 Emeralds
• Narrow Skies - Seasons: Remixed 4.75 Emeralds
• Bishop Leonard Scott - Jesus Loves Legacy 4.75 Emeralds
• Chris Tomlin - Nobody Loves Me Like You EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Vertical Worship - Planetarium EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Rhett Walker Band - Rhett Walker Band EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Bryan Andrew Wilson - This Time EP 4.75 Emeralds

That does it for August. And I managed to get it in before September ends. There is hope. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.