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.

Don't Stop Believing: The 2018 Platinum Vinyl Awards 3rd Qtr - Alternative, Folk, Instrumental

We have come upon the end of the 3rd Quarter of 2018, at least here at Night Beat HQ. Our Platinum Vinyl Eligibility Year goes from October 1- September 30. In honor of our Summer Time Travel we have given the quarter the title "Don't Stop Believing" in honor of the 1981 Song by Journey of The Same name. Just listening to the song on the internet I thought "This Will Preach", which is funny considering one of the authors, Jonathan Cain, is a Christian and married to Paula White, evangelist.

We start with the genres that didn't get enough eligible entries to merit their own post. We will make two of these mega-posts this quarter, seven genres being combined. First up is Alternative Rock, Folk/Folk Rock, and Instrumental Music.

Folk/Folk Rock

• Christafari - Original Love
• Christa Wells - Velveteen

Folk tends to be a dumping ground for "ethnic" sounds. I really don't know where to put Reggae, Jazz and other unique sounds. There are never enough of them to justify a separate category. Christa Wells is more of the standard "girl with guitar" folk artist. 

Alternative Rock

• The Choir - Bloodshot
• Kevin Max - AWOL
• Kevin Max - AWOL Deluxe Demo Sampler EP

Not much to say here. Two veterans (actually, one pioneer). Both deserve to win, one may.

Instrumental Music

• Amman/Josh -- Pieces
• Salt of The Sound - Meditations, Volume 3
• Scandroid - Dreams In Monochrome
• Somniscape - Calm, Volume 1

A little explanation here. Amman/Josh is a new group signed by Hammock, consisting of Amman Abbasi and Josh Varnedore. They are a sort of trance instrumental. Somniscape is a instrumental side project of Eric Ooyoung aka Future of Forestry, to showcase his instrumental side. The vocals side will stay Future of Forestry. Next up is our final megapost with Adult Contemporary, Children's Music, Heavy Metal and The Remix. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Night Beat Rewind: June 2018

Welcome back to another edition of Night Beat Rewind. We are back at Night Beat HQ after our Independence Day Holiday. That is the 4th of JULY to the rest of you. Yes, July. And with the end of June also ends the 3rd Quarter of #PlatVnyl9. Yes, we have only three months to go. It is partly due to how big this year has been that we are way behind on #PlatVnyl8. Partly.

We begin with those songs released during the month, or as we like to call it:

The Singles Scene

• Austin and Lindsay Adamec - Streams 4.75 Emeralds
• As I Lay Dying - My Own Grave 5 Emeralds
• Francesca Battistelli - The Breakup Song 5 Emeralds
• C Boss - Summer Fun 4.75 Emeralds
• Mack Brock - Into Dust 4.75 Emeralds
• Aaron Cole - Off My Back 4.75 Emeralds
• Color Theory - In Space No One Can Hear You Cry (Will Rock Remix) 5 Emeralds
• Emasound - I Know 5 Emeralds
• Austin French - Good Feeling 5 Emeralds
• Tom Golly - His Name Is Jesus 4.75 Emeralds
• The Gray Havens - Forever 4.75 Emeralds 
• For King and Country - Pioneers 5 Emeralds
• Edu Linares - One In A Million (ft Goshen Sai) 5 Emeralds
• Marshall Marshall - One of Us (IAIRVS DJ Remix) 5 Emeralds
• Leigh Nash - Don't Get Me Wrong 4.75 Emeralds
• North Point Inside Out - Unshakable Love ft Brett Stanfill 4.50 Emeralds
• North Point Inside Out - Changed ft Heath Balltziglier 5 Emeralds
• Sarah Reeves - Easy 4.75 Emeralds
• V.Rose - S.O.S. 4.75 Emeralds
• Jay Sanon - Swerve Off 4.50 Emeralds
• Scandroid - Red Planet 4.75 Emeralds
• Tony Tillman - Tryna Get It ft Byron Juane 4.25 Emeralds 

On to the albums. We have a critical ear here at Night Beat HQ. We don't just hand out 5 Emerald ratings like candy, though you may wonder in just a moment. These are the releases that don't make the cut.

Missing The Mark

• Antioch Live - History's Anthem 4.25 Emeralds
• Xay Hill - Red Ranger, Part 2 3.75 Emeralds
• John Mark McMillan - The Mercury Sessions 4.25 Emeralds
• Nobigdy - Solar 3.75 Emeralds
• Peabod - Healthy Snacks 3.50 Emeralds
• Corey Wise - 4 Ever is Now 4.25 Emeralds

Now to the perfect albums. The Candy Man Can.

Pure Platinum Perception

• Chris August - Seasons 5 Emeralds
• The Choir - Bloodshot 5 Emeralds
• God's Chosen - God's Chosen 5 Emeralds
• Hillsong Young and Free - III 5 Emeralds
• Jeremy Johnson - Legendary 5 Emeralds
• Kevin Max - AWOL 5 Emeralds
• Chris McClarney - Breakthrough (Live) 5 Emeralds
• Jasmine Murray - Fearless 5 Emeralds
• Plumb - Beautifully Broken (Remixes) 5 Emeralds
• Somniscape - Calm, Volume 1 5 Emeralds

10 Perfect albums in a month. Talk about candy store. Though a 6/10 ratio is fairly balanced, though slightly sugary. The big amount, as usual, is in the middle.

Semi-Precious Metal

• Amman/Josh - Pieces EP 4.75 Emeralds 
• Marqus Anthony - Walking By My Faith: Through The Storm EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Cory Ard - The Blackout 4.75 Emeralds
• Jonathan Cain - The Songs You Leave Behind 4.75 Emeralds
• Circle of Dust - alt_machines 4.75 Emeralds
• John DeGroff - Salt 4.75 Emeralds
• Jonny Diaz - Sweetness and Sorrow EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Enterline - Kingdoms 4.75 Emeralds
• Fades Away - Resurrection, Part 1 EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Heartsound - Heart Sound: Live From Vineyard Boise 4.75 Emeralds
• Here Be Lions - Only a Holy God 4.75 Emeralds
• Highland Worship - Vol 2: Jesus You Alone EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Impending Doom - The Sin and Doom Volume 2 4.75 Emeralds
• Javen - Grace 4.75 Emeralds
• Lecrae - Let The Trap Say Amen 4.50 Emeralds
• Lexi - Just Listen 4.50 Emeralds
• Kevin Max - AWOL Deluxe Demo Sampler EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Steven Malcolm - The Second City, Part 2 4.75 Emeralds
• Owl City - Cinematic 4.75 Emeralds
• Teresa Peterson - Faithful EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Plumb - Beautifully Broken 4.75 Emeralds
• Sareem Poems - Mind Over Matter 4.75 Emeralds
• Prafitz - Nazarene Movements EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Leon Timbo and Northern Lights United - Invitation to Worship, Volume 1 4.75 Emeralds
• United Pursuit Band - Garden 4.50 Emeralds
• Joey Vantes - The Vantes Project III 4.75 Emeralds

What a month. A great way to close a quarter. The 4th Quarter Awaits. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply