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: 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.

Don't Stop Believing: The 2018 Platinum Vinyl Awards 3rd Qtr - Rap

We are finally at the end of our 3rd Quarter Wrap, and we do it with Rap. No, we don't do it with a rap. I'm not going to scare you like that. Let's get to the list.

Rap/Hip-Hop

• Marqus Anthony - Walking By Faith: Through The Storm
• Cory Ard - The Blackout
• Bizzle - Light Work EP
• Timothy Brindle - The Unfolding
• Aaron Cole - Virginia Boy
• Lecrae - Let The Trap Say Amen
• Steven Malcolm - The Second City, Part 2
• Andy Mineo - I: The Arrow
• Sareem Poems - Mind over Matter
• Prafitz - Nazarene Movements, Volume 2
• Shope - XXY 
• Joey Vantes - The Vantes Project III

Some Veterans, Some I Never Heard of. I said that Modern Worship did not win the quarter, and I was right, sort of. I also said Rap won, and I was right and wrong, sort of. Rap did not have thirteen entries, it had twelve. So did Modern Worship. So we have another tie for first place. Both genres can gloat. The third quarter is now in the bag. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Don't Stop Believing: The 2018 Platinum Vinyl Awards 3rd Qtr - Modern Worship

We are at the penultimate post of our 3rd Quarter Wrap. That's next to last for you progressives out there. It is Modern Worship. Okay, now that you've recovered from your faint, I know it is a shock. I can't remember the time when Modern Worship didn't win the quarter. But Rap did this time. By one entry.

Modern Worship

• Bethel Music - Moments: Mighty Sound
• Heartsound - Heartsound: Live From Vineyard Boise
• Here Be Lions - Only A Holy God
• Highlands Worship - Volume 2: Jesus You Alone EP
• Hillsong Worship - There Is More
• Life Worship - Speak to the Storm
• Chris McClarney - Breakthrough (Live)
• Planetshakers - Heaven on Earth, Part 1
• Brittani Scott - Fight For Us EP
• United Pursuit Band - Garden
• Upperroom - Moments EP
• Vertical Worship - Bright Faith, Bold Future

A very good showing, but just not enough to take the prize. Rap Wraps it Up. I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Don't Stop Believing: The 2018 Platinum Vinyl Awards 3rd Qtr - Pop

Three genres to go. We are in the final stretch. Remaining are Modern Worship, Pop and Rap, surprisingly enough. We are covering pop, so I'll leave it to you to figure out who is the winner. It will be revealed soon enough.

Pop Music

• Chris August - Seasons
• Jonny Diaz - Sweetness and Sorrow EP
• Tori Harper - Seasons EP
• Mat Kearney - Crazy Talk
• Mark Lee - Unshakable Heart
• Lovecollide - Tired of Basic
• Teresa Peterson - Faithfu EP
• Plumb - Beautifully Broken
• Plumb - Beautifully Broken (Remixes)
• Sarah Reeves - Easy Never Needed You EP
• Ryan Stevenson - No Matter What

11 songs for the bubblegum set. Mark Lee is a former member of Third Day. Kind of cements the breakup. Two releases from Plumb in this quarter by no means tips my hand. Modern Worship is next. Yes, they are only in second place. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Don't Stop Believing: The 2018 Platinum Vinyl Awards 3rd Qtr - Rock

The second genre among our tie this quarter is Rock. Anytime you get over a complete final in one quarter you have a healthy genre. Rock and Roll is here to stay.

Rock Music

• Jonathan Cain - The Songs You Leave Behind
• John DeGroff - Salt
• Jeremy Johnson - Legendary
• Ledger - Ledger EP
• Mainframe - Burn The Boats
• Hawk Nelson - Miracles
• Sanctus Real - Changed
• Andrew Serino - The Golden Thread
• Smalltown Poets - Say Hello

That does it for Rock. A mix of old and new. The oldest would be Jonathan Cain, of Journey's Don't Stop Believing. And John DeGroff, one of the founders of Petra (who didn't stay long). And the "new" definitely includes Ledger, though the band is fronted by Skillet drummer Jen Ledger, who has been with the band for a while. Next up is Pop. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Don't Stop Believing: The 2018 Platinum Vinyl Awards 3rd Qtr - Dance/Synthpop

We continue with our 3rd Quarter Wrap. We Go to our only tie. We seem to have one a quarter at the minimum. We have one. First up is Dance/Synthpop.

Dance/Synthpop

• Bright Ones - Bright Ones
• Enterline - Kingdoms
• Hillsong Young and Free - III
• Chris Howland - Draw Near EP
• Jasmine Murray - Fearless
• Owl City - Cinematic
• Scandroid - Dreams In Monochrome 
• Transform DJ's - Wildfire EP
• Jeremy James Whitaker - Be Free

The second of the ties is Rock. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Don't Stop Believing: The 2018 Platinum Vinyl Awards 3rd Qtr - Gospel

Gospel Music (the right kind) is the next genre up in our third quarter wrap. They had eight entrants this past quarter. Let's get right to it.

Gospel/R&B

• Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir - I Am Reminded (Live)
• Maranda Curtis - Open Heaven
• God's Chosen - God's Chosen
• Javen - Grace
• Amante Lacey - Original Songs and Stories, Volume 1
• Lexi - Just Listen
• Jason Nelson - The Answer
• Leon Timbo and Northern Lights United - Invitation To Worship, Volume 1

A lot of fresh blood in this category. That's good for the future. A tie is next. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Don't Stop Believing: The 2018 Platinum Vinyl Awards 3rd Qtr - Live

Welcome back to our 3rd Quarter Wrap of the 2018 Platinum Vinyl Awards entries, and we are Live, as in Live Recorded Album. They had seven entries.

Live Recorded Album

• Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir - I Am Reminded (Live)
• Hillsong Worship - There Is More (Live)
• Chris McClarney - Breakthrough (Live)
• Planetshakers - Heaven On Earth Part 2 (Live In Asia)
• Upper Room - Moments EP (Live)
• Kim Walker-Smith - On My Side (Live)
• Worship Central - Stir A Passion (Live)

We have a good veteran artists here. Gospel is next. Until then I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Don't Stop Believing: The 2018 Platinum Vinyl Awards 3rd Qtr - Electronic/Industrial

We now return to our regularly scheduled 3rd Quarter wrap. First up for the single genre's is Electronic/Industrial, the harder edge of Dance. They met the bar of 5 entries.

Electronic/Industrial

• Amman/Josh - Pieces
• Circle of Dust - alt_machines 
• Narrow Skies - Seasons
• Salt of The Sound - Meditations, Volume 3
• Somniscape - Calm, Volume 1

We need to make a few comments here. First, we are not trying to pad the results. Narrow Skies is one of two side projects by Salt of The Sound, the other being Antarctic Wastelands. Seasons is the full album combination of the four EP release of the past year. The third edition of Salt of The Sounds Instrumental series Meditations continues in their excellency. Two "new" artists make the list. Truly new is Amman/Josh (Amman Abbasi and Josh Varnedore) which has been discovered by Hammock. Somniscape is the instrumental side project of Eric Ooyoung (aka Future of Forestry). 

We go Live next. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Don't Stop Believing: The 2018 Platinum Vinyl Awards 3rd Qtr - Inspirational Children's Metal Remix

We are wrapping up the 3rd Quarter entries for the 2018 Platinum Vinyl Awards. Our final megapost, consisting of Adult Contemporary, Children's Music, Heavy Metal and Remix Album, is upon us. From now on it is all single genre.

Children's Music

• Michael W. Smith - Lullaby

Adult Contemporary/Inspirational

• Lincoln Brewster - God Of The Impossible
• Kim Walker-Smith - On My Side (Live)

Hard Rock/ Heavy Metal

• Fades Away - Resurrection
• Impending Doom - The Sin and Doom, Volume 2
• Millenial Reign - The Great Divide
• Stryper - God Damn Evil

Remix Album

• Circle of Dust - alt_machines (Machines of Our Disgrace Remixes)
• Plumb - Beautifully Broken (Remixes)

 That does it for the megaposts. Our first single genre post is coming next time with Electronic-Industrial. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.