Dead Mans Band

Aces and Eights don't scare me, nor black cats. I break the chain letter many many times. I happen to know for a fact that there were at least 83 people at the last supper. Color Theory takes a break from the usual relationship based 80's Synthpop to address the subject of Superstition with Lucky Ago. Brian Hazard is a musical genius. How do I know? How else can you explain putting out an album on Superstition which is happy and danceable. The phobias are abundant.

• Chain Letters (Unsigned)
• The Dead Mans Hand of Wild Bill Hickock (Hand)
• Singular Magpies as harbingers of bad luck (Avian)
• Graveyards (Dismembered)
• The Number 13 (Phobiac)

There are 10 in all, broken up by the lovely instrumental piece Lore. It's hard to pick a favorite when reviewing these albums. This time I think it's Feral, the final track, which addresses Witches and Black Cats, which kind of Reminds Me of Bugs Bunny "Aren't they all witches inside."

Which (sorry) brings me to the Cover. She's either a Witch or Lady Luck. Either Way she is absolutely alluring and gorgeous. The cover draws you in, the album seals the deal.

I think its a safe bet that you will enjoy Lucky Ago by Color Theory.  I did and I think it fits into my description of Therapy Music. While you wont conquer your phobias with a single listen, they say acknowledging your problems is the first step. This is the first step. And it is a 5 Emerald Step.

Walk Backward if you must, but you will play this at least 13 times. Wear it out, just don't wear out your welcome. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Ear Candy: 10 Monster Albums for October

Of course by Monster I mean totally Awesome. This is a Christian Music Blog after all. Now that the month has wrapped, I guess it is quite appropriate that I have handed out Perfect 5's like candy. 10 of them were handed out this month. I believe that is a record, though all of them deserved it. I guess that just tells you the quality of the work that is out there. No complaints about the current state of CCM. You are just listening to the wrong stuff.

I'll do the list alphabetically, as I don't want to give any hint as to order.

• Jonathan Cain - What God Wants to Hear - The Journey of A Thousand Miles, sorry. What can you say when the former Journey Frontman gets saved. As a Word of Faith person will I be hearing "Don't Stop Believing" at the SWBC next year? This was a big surprise and I loved it.
• Lauren Daigle - Behold: A Christmas Collection - CCM's latest fave, and deservedly so, gets to showcase her pipes on a Holiday Collection that exudes Sultry Jazz. What's not to love.
• The Digital Age - Galaxies - The former band of David Crowder returns with an electronic worship experience like no other, and mixed with a bit of Armstrong, Neil Armstrong among the songs.
• Disciple - Long Live The Rebels - The Southern Rockers return. Kevin Young and company come out with their loudest yet.
• Nimisilla Park - Welcome to Nimisilla Park - very rarely will I hand out a 5 for an EP. My standard practice is to deduct a quarter of a point for length. An excellent mixture of Rap, Driving Rock, and Gospel Music made me change my mind.
• Ocean Calling - Quiet Magic. The Debut of Sophie Wilkie of Los Angeles, California by Way of Great Britain (hey, I detect the accent) is a blend of Synthpop, Trance, and ethereal vocals. My second favorite Trance artist since Salt of the Sound.
• Rend Collective - Campfire II: Simplicity - Our Northern Ireland worship band goes back to the basics, and mines platinum. The past release seemed normal, and that is a bad thing for this slightly unhinged band that reminds me of Caedmon's Call in that they will attempt to play just about anything (xylophone, trash can lids, etc). Stick to what works, I always say.
• Satellites and Sirens - Tanks - Another excellent release by Geoff Hunker and company, which skews a bit toward pop while maintaining a good synth mix. I personally love Old Souls, but maybe I am just in a nostalgic mood.
• Theocracy - Ghost Ship - Talk about excellent timing for a release. I had never heard of the band until I started doing research on The Emerald List for Heavy Metal. If Stryper ever decides to Retire (I hope not) these guys will pick up the Crown with little backlash. Excellent clean vocals, monster guitar solos, and a solid Christian Message. Who said a Theocracy was a bad thing?
• Jean Watson - More ethereal vocals, though this time going operatic more than trance. Though a lot of these songs would be excellent in a Lord of The Rings movie. 

There you go. 10 Pieces of ear candy. Indulge, as long as often as you want. I promise you will not get sick from over indulging. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply. 

Music Video Monday: The Ghost Ship Rises

Happy Halloween everyone from all of us at Night Beat HQ. I know that may be a shock to some of you, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with today. As I have said before, any day centered on candy can't be bad. Take it from a little stinker (that's a Skunk).

It's not only Halloween, it is also Monday. So that means an all new edition of Music Video Monday. Well, we don't really have any Monster Videos, unless by monster you mean extremely awesome. We have that in spades. Let's get to it. Our first video is from a group called About A Mile. The first cut on their new album is a rock number called Taking Back. The Video has been out for a while, but we go by the album release.

Next up is a rap number. Our rapper is Sho Baraka. The new album is called The Narrative, and the concept is a bunch of songs done in style of a certain year or era. It is an enjoyable journey, but my complaint is that we jump back and forth in time, and styles. It is a bit jarring. I guess I am more chronologically oriented. Anyway the song is called Road to Humble, 1979.
Forget what I said about no monster videos. Leave it to my girl Deanna Jakoub of Veridia to come through for today. This is Still Breathing.
And finally, a band which is quickly becoming my favorite Metal Band. Sorry Stryper, but these guys are the new blood. Who said a Theocracy was a bad thing? When you release albums in 2003, 2008, 2011, and 2016, you know they like to take their time to craft an album. All aboard the Ghost Ship.
That does it for this Halloween edition of Music Video Monday. We will return next week with another edition. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

A Halloween Replay: Any Day Centered On Candy Can't Be Bad

Happy Halloween From The Night Beat. There, I've said it. That should cost me a few conservative readers. I know the accepted Conservative Christian doctrine is that Halloween is a day cleverly devised to teach our youngsters Devil Worship, Witchcraft and Ritualistic Serial Killing Techniques. GIVE IT A REST! It's all about the Candy.

I was celebrating Halloween from a very early age. I'm told that my first costume was as Jerry The Mouse (Tom & Jerry). It was homemade. I don't remember. I do remember being Little Stinker (a skunk, also homemade, with a wire coat hanger used to keep up the tail). I'm sure there would be some sort of OSHA regulations against such things nowadays.

Growing up in the Cape Cod Housing Projects (they were there, and still are. Stop Laughing), I'm sure I trick or treated around the apartments but I don't remember. I do remember bobbing for apples in the Community Center.

Yesterday (That would be Friday the 28th. I'm doing this post in advance) [That was 2011 - This year it was the 25th] the town I live in had a main street merchant trick or treating walk. I saw a lot of kids going into and coming out of business establishments in search of CANDY. There was nothing disturbing about the scene, except that the parents seemed to try to hit ALL the establishments, not just the ones that had originally signed up. Seeing kids go into an auto parts store and a liquor store was a little disturbing. Exactly what kind of treat were the parents expecting. Chocolate Schnapps, Candy Oil Filters? I digress.

If your town has had Trick or Treating already, I hope it was good. If it's tonight, I wish you much success. Kids, Hide Your Stash Quick. Your Parents need your help.

Since they touted it for Halloween, I give you The Choir, and What You Think I Am.
Any day centered around candy can't be bad. That hits just about all of them. Valentines Day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Check, Check, Check, Check and Check. Happy Candy Hunting from The Night Beat.

Forget The Carnival, Stay for the Sideshow

I love tooting my own horn. I know I should act more humble, but if I don't do it, who will? The Bible may say "Love your neighbour as you love yourself", but that presupposes that you do indeed love yourself.

My reason for patting myself on the back? Being smarter than Amazon. Musically astute is more precise. While listening to the new releases I came across a band I had never heard of before. White Collar Sideshow. Now that isn't news in and of itself. I'm not as quick in discovering new acts as I would like to be. If I have never heard of a band before I tend to make a mental note of the genre it is listed as and make my decisions based on that. Amazon listed The Witchunt as being Hard Rock and Metal, so I made a note as to TDWP, Wolves at the Gate, and so forth.

This is not a Hard Rock/Heavy Metal album, not in the least. And that made me pleasantly surprised. You see, I am starting a new Flashback Friday post this week subtitled The Industrial Revolution. My first thought was "This is Cult of Jester" and there were tones of Deitiphobia as well, which is my first blog post on the subject. (The Deitiphobia link wont be live until Friday at 6 pm ET). So I went to the WCS Facebook Page (be prepared for some Halloween Style imagery). Yes, they label themselves as Industrial. Score!

This is the video preview for The WitcHunt

Meet The Faceless Woman

And finally, the Official Music Video for Black Heart Hearse.

The band is all about hidden addictions, and bringing them out into the open and confronting them. It is not for the faint of heart. I am thrilled that there is someone out there making some great Industrial Music. Though its heyday ended at the turn of the century, it is still some awesome music. And to combine it with such hard hitting subjects.

I am giving The WitcHunt a nearly perfect 4.75 Emeralds and guaranteeing it a spot in this years Platinum Vinyl Awards, though in the Dance/Electronica/Techno category, where Industrial would naturally be found (Techno, not dance). A little early Halloween present from The Night Beat. Until Flashback Friday, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Any Day Centered On Candy Can't Be Bad

Happy Halloween From The Night Beat. There, I've said it. That should cost me a few conservative readers. I know the accepted Conservative Christian doctrine is that Halloween is a day cleverly devised to teach our youngsters Devil Worship, Witchcraft and Ritualistic Serial Killing Techniques. GIVE IT A REST! It's all about the Candy.

I was celebrating Halloween from a very early age. I'm told that my first costume was as Jerry The Mouse (Tom & Jerry). It was homemade. I don't remember. I do remember being Little Stinker (a skunk, also homemade, with a wire coat hanger used to keep up the tail). I'm sure there would be some sort of OSHA regulations against such things nowadays.

Yesterday (That would be Friday the 28th. I'm doing this post in advance), the town I live in had a main street merchant trick or treating walk. I saw a lot of kids going into and coming out of business establishments in search of CANDY. There was nothing disturbing about the scene, except that the parents seemed to try to hit ALL the establishments, not just the ones that had originally signed up. Seeing kids go into an auto parts store and a liquor store was a little disturbing. Exactly what kind of treat were the parents expecting. Chocolate Schnapps, Candy Oil Filters? I digress.

If your town has had Trick or Treating already, I hope it was good. If it's tonight, I wish you much success. Kids, Hide Your Stash Quick. Your Parents need your help.

Any day centered around candy can't be bad. That hits just about all of them. Valentines Day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Check, Check, Check, Check and Check. Happy Candy Hunting from The Night Beat.