Frankly, My Dear....You Can't Kill Us

There's a double reference to the title, and I will get to that shortly. One of the drawbacks to being a small time operation is that you miss things, even those things you though you were watching carefully for.

What I was waiting for was the new release by Icon For Hire, the first since their breakup with Tooth and Nail Records. Now if you've been with us for any length of time, you have probably heard me express admiration for the label, and calling founder Brandon Ebel Midas or The Kingmaker. Now his penchant for finding gems among the unsigned masses and creating stars is one thing, but that drive sometimes drives the stars away in frustration. They want to be coddled a bit more. And they go indie again. And sometimes they strike gold, but toward the end they more likely than not will come back to a label for security. It's a rough world out there.

Which brings us to You Can't Kill Us, which was released last November (I told you I missed things. It was November 25 to be exact). It's an interesting album, and I almost panned it thanks to Amazon. Now I love Amazon, The Night Beat is an Amazon Affiliate, but I think they're shell-shocked with the Music Department. I was almost driven away by their "Explicit" Tag, but getting the opportunity to listen to complete songs on YouTube convinced me that Amazon was overreacting. The hoopla centered on the song "Under The Knife" which is about cutting. It's a powerful song. There are two "problem" lines in the song, as I try to channel Amazon. "You knew the deal, nobody gives a damn" (earth to Amazon, Have You Ever Heard of Gone With The Wind. That was in 1939). And the other line contains an euphemism for Manure that has an S, an H, an I, and a T in it, in that order. Explicit? Puh-leeze. Here's the thing. There's a reason for the explicit label, and it was to protect "The Children" from shocking and obscene language. What really happened, however, was that human nature took over and the "rebellious" kids sought out anything that had the label and wouldn't listen to anything else. Still, where "F-bombs", "N-Words", and many other obscenities fill the music landscape. This? No. Not even close. Here's the lyric video, you be the judge.

On to my actual review. Like I said previously, it is an interesting album. The title would seem to imply a rebellious, angry Icon, but I don't get that vibe. It's not as skillet-esque as the debut, and a little poppy, but they are stretching their wings. 

One thing in abundance are the REL Ballads. Honestly, Ariel has one of the most beautiful ballad voices in Rock. In a lot of ways she would be perfect in a Worship setting. My favorites are War and the before mentioned Under The Knife, with Here We Are and Happy Hurts next. 

When all is said and done, I am giving You Can't Kill Us a near perfect score of 4.75 Emeralds. They are definitely stronger for the struggle. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply. 

King of The Lowborn

"The King is Dead, Long Live The King." It seems appropriate with this post. Tuesday marked the end of an era in Christian Alternative. There are a few bands out there that define the genre they are in. Petra defined Rock for a Generation, and to a certain level still does, and not in name alone (their name in Greek is Rock) but on inheritance. Many of today's Christian Rock bands grew up listening to Petra and their music shaped their sound. That tends to happen in a 30+ year career. Alternative Music hasn't been around that long, but still it has its royalty. The Emperor or Deity of Alternative would have to be The Choir. Reaching the 30 year mark, and still making top class music, they will not easily cede the throne to an upstart.

The band we say goodbye today isn't that old, but 12 years seems like an eternity in Christian Music with bands hanging it up after five years. Crossing a 10 year mark should be a minimum for respect. Especially if that is your only claim to fame. Fortunately for +Anberlin it isn't. +Brandon Ebel and +Tooth & Nail Records didn't merely strike gold this time, they mined platinum. I have their debut album in my possession Blueprints For The Black Market (2003), but no other complete albums in my collection. I intend to change that. I have been a big fan of the band since Dark Is The Way, Light Is A Place (Amazon MP3 Exclusive Version) [+video] [+digital booklet] (2010), and the band has been a fixture at the Platinum Vinyl Awards since its inception. Many things can be said of Anberlin, but Pretender to the Throne is not one of them.

Lowborn is a tough album to peg, on first listen I said, "This isn't as good as Devotion or Vital [+digital booklet] ". But then, a funny thing happened on the way to 4.5 Emerald obscurity. I listened a few more times, and started thinking about not how the album sounded, but how it felt. The album feels complete, like they are tying up loose ends. It also is more melancholy and less rocking, which at first made me disappointed, but I was drawn in by the variety of styles. It is also to me the most "Christian" of the recent albums. Bands such as Anberlin, Creed, Evanescence and others have been greatly successful at sharing the Christian Faith in a way that slips seamlessly into the mainstream consciousness. While there is a rock number in We are Destroyer and Dissenter, the rest of the album is slow to medium tempo ballads by Stephen Christian with an ethereal alternative sound. The rockers will be disappointed, but lovers of music will be in Heaven, where "everybody wants to go, but nobody wants to die".

After much listening. I have decided to confer on Lowborn a Perfect 5 Emerald Rating. It is a fitting farewell. Anberlin, the King of The Lowborn. Your subjects will have to be content with Anchor and Braille for now. Like the Arthurian Legend, I have no doubt you will return when the time is right (you bet there will be a reunion). Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

The Brave Ones, The Dreamers

To paraphrase Nicodemus, "Can anything good come out of Orville?" Well, except for Smucker's. The answer to the question is a resounding yes.

Shine Bright Baby is another in a long list of stars in the sky of Brandon Ebel. Their debut album, entitled Dreamers , is quite a refreshing turn of musical events. The band says it is somewhere in the intersection of Shiny Toy Guns, Katy Perry, Neon Trees and No Doubt. I never heard of the third one but checked them out on iTunes. It's quite an intersection.

According to lead vocalist Emily Irene, the name comes from the Bible command that we are to Shine Bright in the midst of a dark world, and shine they do. The album starts off with a bang with made to glow and barely lets you rest, though there are a few selah moments. My favorite song is the first of these. Love Restores is cut four.

His Love Restores. His Words are True. What this world breaks His hands make new. So do not fear, not anymore. He can heal what's broken and torn. His love restores.

They are a fun band, and that is fairly rare these days. The fun is evident on their first Music Video, Beautiful Love. One thing they probably didn't love was the cleaning bill.

A lot of Pop, a bit of Dance, and a little help from Kevin Young of Disciple on Brave Ones. Talk about a shooting star. I am giving Dreamers a final rating of 4.75 Emeralds, and that only because I am trying to avoid handing out perfect five's like candy. They deserve to be Best New Artist. Get this album. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

And on the Seventh Day, God Rocked

Don't let the title fool you. The Anthem of Angels, the latest release by Seventh Day Slumber, is not a Christmas Album. If it was however, that probably wouldn't surprise many SDS fans. The album will drop on November 15, and the title hints of the Angel Choir of Luke 2. However the album marks SDS return to Rock/Alternative scene for the first time since 2007. That was when Finally Awake came out. Take Everything was a worship release and came out in 2009. We'll start with the track list.

1. Wasted Life
2. Love Came Down
3. One Mistake
4. Addicted to My Pain
5. Never Too Far Gone
6. Pieces
7. Crash
8. Back where I Began
9. Knows my name
10. My Life
11. How He Loves

Sometimes songs get covered to death, and I'm beginning to think that is happening with the David Crowder Band song How He Loves. They even have some guy named John Mark McMillan saying he wrote it. (Yes, I know JMM did write it, but once someone's version becomes "the version" in a persons mind, no amount of reasoning is going to sway them.)

Pop Quiz: Who wrote God of Wonders? What about Build Us Back? Answer in the comments, and I'll reveal the answers in a future post.

Seventh Day Slumber is a Product of King Midas (Brandon Ebel) Tooth and Nail Empire (signed to the BEC Recordings label). I have always considered them a "counseling band", that their songs relate to the pains felt by the young people of today. Whether it is that they are beyond God's forgiveness (One Mistake), or that they are too deep in Sin (Addicted to My Pain, Never too far gone). There is a nice blend of soft and hard. A little quieter than Finally Awake, but still good.

I am giving Anthem of Angels by Seventh Day Slumber a final rating of 4.5 Emeralds. The third season of the Platinum Vinyl Awards is getting off to a fast start. Stay with the Night Beat as the Winter Heats Up with more than Christmas Releases. As always, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Ariel is Gonna Burn This Theatre Down

Icon For Hire is the latest addition to the Lineup at Tooth & Nail Records.  I have been tracking the debut release for this band since it was originally announced that they were being signed by Tooth & Nail. Regular readers of this blog (I know you're out there, the stats tell me. Just wish you were brave enough to follow) know that I affectionately call T&N Founder Brandon Ebel King Midas because he has a habit of finding the talent out there.

It's Sprinkling Gold in Decatur

That's Gold as in the Midas Touch, not exactly record sales. Sprinkle is Producer Extraordinaire Aaron Sprinkle. If you're not familiar with his work, "Where in the World Have You Been." A very brief resume includes.

• FM Static - My Brain Says Stop but My Heart Says Go (2011 PVA entrant)
• Aaron Gillespie - Anthem Song (2011 PVA entrant)
• Hyland - Weights and Measures (2011 PVA entrant)
• Ivoryline - Vessels (2010 PVA Winner Best Alternative Album)
• The Museum - Let Love Win (2010 PVA entrant)
• Poema - Sing it Now (2010 PVA Winner Best Pop Album)
• Sent By Ravens - Our Graceful Words
• Swimming With Dolphins - Water Colours (2011 PVA Entrant)
• Thousand Foot Krutch - Welcome to the Masquerade (Pre PVA)*

*note: Welcome to the Masquerade came out September 8, 2009. This blog started in July of 2010. However, if it existed it would have made the PVA's. The Live Concert Album by TFK Live at the Masquerade is a 2011 nominee.

I think you get the idea with the list. Sprinkle is a great producer. I don't usually look at a producer credit until after I decide if I like the Album, so it is pretty spooky how many of these albums have his fingerprints all over them.

And Now We Add Scripted to Sprinkle's list of hits. Currently, I would go with the mp3 download of the album. It's only $5.99 for the 30 min download vs $10.92 for the CD

An "Unscripted" Success Story

The album starts out with Overture (at $0.99 for 30 Seconds at Amazon, this is Pure Profit), which leads into the Intro cut Theatre. If you are reminded of Skillet here, you're not alone. Skillet, The Letter Black, Evanescence/Barlow Girl (Leaning to Amy Lee for The Grey and  Barlow Girl on Only A Memory). Pieces and Theatre have a very Skillet like feel.

Make A Move is sure to be a crowd favorite, along with its accompanying music video. Please check out my related post Chicks Who Rock for the video, along with videos by Eowyn and Fireflight.

And then there's Off With Her Head. It's a cheery little altar call song. NOT. Even though I think it could be used with a concert altar call, there is very little resemblance between this and Just as I am.

Verse I


I'm lucky if I ever see the light of day again

my sin is choking me, my crude built walls are closing in

This cell is filled with claw marks easing me, their teasing me, they told me so I didn't know the fall would be this easy



Pre-chorus

How long until I find the strength to stand

I wait for mercy in your bleeding hand

I know they'll come with what I'm owed-guilty as charged

My enemies belittle me reminding me the penalty of all my deeds despite my pleas is death



Chorus:

Don't let go 'cause I don't wanna be this, I don't wanna be this

Death is mine I know

Don't let go, don't let go

Save your own 'cause I don't wanna be this, I don't wanna be this

Death is mine I know

Don't let go, don't let go, savior



Verse II

Your way to life has only showed me what a fool I am

It serves the purpose of confirming I remain condemned

And I will ever linger on the edge

Unless you hear me

(Lyrics courtesy of Ariel and http://www.musictory.com/music/Icon+For+Hire)

In Short, this is more honest. Much more real. I am getting addicted to this album. It helps when it clocks in at just 30 minutes. You keep hitting repeat.

Pink can be strong. Just ask Ariel. I am giving Scripted by Icon For Hire 4.5 Emeralds. It's not a perfect album, and someone could say that it reminds them too much of other artists. To that I would say, it's a DEBUT. If you're going to make an impact, sometimes you need to copy your mentors. You can work on a signature style later. While Jars of Clay came out with their signature out of the gate, Petra didn't sound like Petra until about the fourth album. And if you're going to copy anyone, Evanescence, Skillet, Barlow girl and The Letter Black aren't bad role models. Make A Move and The Grey right now lead for a possible song of the year entry.

That's it for now. August started out slow but things are ending with a bang. For the best in Christian Music, stay locked to the Night Beat. As always, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

New Music Update

Just because it has turned out to be a slow August doesn't mean we at the Night Beat can't be pleasantly surprised. This week is one of those surprises. Three full Album Previews to check out, two of them from the folks at NRT. I am going to try to have a full review on all three. We'll see how that goes.

Of the trio, I am most impressed with Destiny by Beckah Shae. I was anticipating the release of this album after listening to #putyourloveglasseson which was released as a free download a few months ago. Now that the album is here, needless to say, I am not disappointed. You can check out the album this week at New Release Tuesday. If you are looking for some excellent Dance Grooves for yourself, this is definitely the CD for you, though it doesn't come out until next Tuesday. I've already listened to it twice, and I am strongly leaning toward awarding it the coveted 5 Emerald Rating. I would always hope that you would click through the title link and buy through it at Amazon. The Night Beat thanks you.

Another good album to add to your library comes from King Midas (a.k.a. Brandon Ebel, Founder/President of Tooth & Nail Records). Monoculture by Sainthood Reps is out now, and is currently a Full Album Listening Party at AOL Music. I think it is safe to say that this is not Dance Music. This is Alternative Rock, with emphasis on alternative. The folks at AOL describe it as "scary rhythms and Spooky guitars", and that gives it a "spacey" feel to it. While I'm not blown away with it like Beckah Shae, even on its initial listening I feel safe to say my final rating will be in the High fours, giving it an easy pass to the first round of the Platinum Vinyl Awards. Since it is not marketed as a Christian Release, despite being a Tooth & Nail release, it may qualify for a CROSS/over nomination as well.

Finally, an album, which while very good, will probably not be in the Platinum Vinyl Pool, though not due to content or quality. Re:Creation by Steven Curtis Chapman is sort of a Hybrid new release/best of compilation. It has some new songs, but some of the songs are new recordings of old hits. That is something done on a lot of the Best Of albums, and even though I have rated some Best-of releases, and given them ratings which would qualify them for a Platinum Vinyl Award, in the end I have dropped them in favor of a new studio release or live recording. What do you guys think. Does a best of album deserve to be honored? Should it have its own category? I encourage your thought on the matter. Oh, before I close, I should say that Re:Creation is also streaming in its entirety at NRT.

That does it for this installment. You can use the comments below to give me your thoughts on the best of issue. As always, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Weights and Measures

Weights and Measures, the full length debut by Minneapolis, MN rockers Hyland, releases on Tooth and Nail Records on May 3. That alone should be reason enough to make this release multi-platinum on day one. I don't know how Brandon Ebel does it, but, in my opinion, the label has yet to put out a klunker of an album. Now that's not saying that I love all their music. I usually can pass on some of the metal-core, mostly because you need the lyrics to figure out the screams. That, and I start thinking, "what must that do to that guys throat?" But sometimes you can make out the screams, and there are clean vocals, and music that just rocks. Stuff Like Haste the Day and Wolves at the Gate. Then someone like me can even enjoy metal-core.

Hyland isn't metal-core, not by a long-shot. They are Rock (or in Dove-speak Rock/Contemporary). At times you might consider them pop. The album has a great pedigree behind it, as it's produced by Aaron Sprinkle, one of the more prolific producers out there. Their EP Quotients, which brought them to the attention of King Midas (my nickname for Brandon Ebel. Everything he touches turns to gold) was produced by former Skillet guitarist Ben Kasica. The album is evenly balanced between songs about relationships (there are 6, most notably Fireworks, This Distance, and The One That Got Away, the last two should get major airplay on mainstream radio and TV) and more overt Christian tunes.

Of the "Spiritual" tunes, the best are the choral assisted missions song Crying Out "Your love is in the air we breathe, open our eyes to the urgency. You're so much more than we could be, our lives are crying out", the first Radio release This Love is Free. This is the first of four songs that I will be putting into PVA Song of the Year nomination, the other three being Fireworks, the string heavy Desperate Man, and the closing song Coast to Coast.

I'm giving Weights and Measures 4.5 Emeralds, mainly because it is a Debut. It has the makings of a 5 Emerald rating, but, it is a debut. Right Now I would say it is in contention for Alternative and Rock Honors, as well as Group of the Year and New Artist of the Year, as well as song honors for the four cuts mentioned previously. I highly recommend this album.