Music Video Monday: Praise on Praise

Welcome Back to an all new edition of Music Video Monday. We are going into a Modern Worship Mode this week. Time to get your praise on.

Australia is seems to be the Capital of Modern Worship these days, so we will be off to the Land of Oz. We begin with Planetshakers from Melbourne. We start with slow worship with God Is On The Throne

Staying in Australia we move from Melbourne to Sydney. Hillsong Church is the father of Modern Worship, The Second Generation. We continue on slow worship with King of Kings.

And finally, we go back to Melbourne, (Tired Yet), and go to the youth group. Planetboom is the name. This is Praise on Praise.

That does it for this edition of Music Video Monday. 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 - 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.

Siberian Siren: The 2017 Platinum Vinyl Awards 1st Qtr - Modern Worship

This is by far the biggest surprise of the quarter. Modern Worship is among the most popular (the cynic would say bloated) genres out there, and despite my best attempts to weed out the copycats it usually wins the quarter hands down. Could there be a shaking out of the dross in the genre? I doubt it. Probably just too busy with the Christmas Season. Let's get to it.

Modern Worship

• Chapel Band - The Gathering
• Hillsong - Let There Be Light (Live)
• Chris Quilala - Split The Sky
• Rend Collective - Campfire II: Simplicity 
• Chris Sligh - Mighty Roar/Healing Flood
• Chris Tomlin - Never Lose Sight

A few comments here. Hillsong is, in my opinion, starting to return to a sound which made them the leader of the genre. Maybe it was the abundance of copycats, but they really weren't trying to stand out for a while. Rend Collective started to slip as well, but Campfire II seems to have righted the ship. And then there is Chris Sligh. He started out one of the American Idol castoffs that the Christian Music Industry picked up. Unfortunately they kept up with the pop mode. I savaged those albums. After dropping from the radar for a while he re-emerged in modern worship. A style more suitable for his vocals. Second chances are good. Hip Hop is next. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Mistletunes: The 2016 1st Quarter - Modern Worship

We have reached the end of the First Quarter of 2016. We have reached the final post, the genre that had the most eligible entries this quarter. And that genre is Modern Worship. Actually, it usually is. I think there was one quarter when it wasn't. So let us get to it.

Modern Worship

• Casting Crowns - A Live Worship Experience
• Crowder - Crowder's Neon Porch Extravaganza (Live)
• Michael English - Worship
• Adam Layne Fisher - Live at Barnet Park
• Gateway Worship - Walls
• Generation Unleashed - Come Alive (Live)
• Hillsong Worship - Open Heaven / River Wild (Live)
• Joshua Price - Elevate
• Cindy Cruse Ratcliff - Edge Of The Universe (Live At Lakewood Church)
• Ricardo Sanchez - Grand Symphony
• Seeker and Servant - You Alone Forever
• Austin Stone Worship - This Glorious Grace (Live)   
• Vineyard UK - Hear the Sound - Songs from the Vineyard UK
• Vineyard UK - Small Group Worship Vol. 02

That does it for the first quarter. Things are getting pretty heated up here at Night Beat HQ as we are just about finished with the first month of the second quarter. Stay locked here as the Second Quarter gets underway and even as the nominees for #PlatVnyl6 are announced soon. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

New Year, New #NightBeatniks

2016 (aka #PlatVnyl7) is underway. As is customary things take a little while to get up to speed after the Christmas Music Rush. Fine with us, as it gives us time to get our end of year posts and 1rst Quarter wrap finished. For those of you who are new here who are asking "First Quarter 2016 Wrap? But This is The First Quarter of 2016." Maybe on your calendar, but we are operating here on the Platinum Vinyl Award Calendar.  That calendar began on October 1 of 2015 and will continue until September 30 of this year.

Back in College in the Mid 1980's I was a Disc Jockey or DJ. We played Vinyl Records on Turntables. The 45 (a vinyl disc about the size of a CD that had 2 songs on it, one on each side) was slowly disappearing and the 33 or Album would soon be replaced by the CD. An uninformed person once said that the 8 Track Tape Replaced the Vinyl Album. No. I was there. The 8 track was a blip on the Musical Timeline. While the Cassette Tape and the 8-Track Were Prone to the same malady ("eating of the tapes"), the cassette could simply, in most cases, be rewound into the casing and played without effort many more times. The 8-Track, however, no. Probably because of the "eating malady" the Cassette never replaced the 33RPM Vinyl but coexisted alongside it. It did have the benefit of portability however,especially after the introduction of the Sony Walkman in 1980. By the end of the Decade the CD was on its way to prominence. It had portability with the size of a 45, and Durability, and could not be eaten. It still has not been overtaken. What about the mp3, you ask. Yes it has portability, but it can be accidentally or otherwise deleted. The CD is permanent.

Musically speaking the 80's were the Golden Age of Music, Christian or Otherwise. There was this little group out of Ireland released an album entitled Boy in 1980. You might have heard of them. U2 anyone? Bono and several other members of the band are Born Again Christians so the band was among the first Crossover acts to become popular in the Christian College Radio crowd. And that really began a crossover trend both ways. We gave the mainstream the likes of Amy Grant and Switchfoot, and you gave us U2, Evanescence and Creed. U2 and Creed managed to stay in the good graces of CCM throughout their careers, and Evanescence got kicked out of the kingdom for swearing during an interview. Still, both Creed and Evanescence managed to latch on to the "Hillsong Effect". By that I mean that they have birthed a horde of imitators, much like Hillsong Church created a horde of "Zschechies" with all these blonde female worship leaders adopting the dress and hairstyle of Darlene Zschech. Modern Worship itself as a genre is still trying to break free from a Hillsong Sound where they all sound alike. Creed gave us Jeremy Camp and Kutless, among others, and Evanescence gave us Eowyn to start.

Oh, one final thing. My radio show in college was called The Night Beat. When looking for a nickname for my fans I coined Night Beatniks. Now the stereotypical Beatnik loved Poetry and Jazz. Now I like my poetry classical (Iambic Pentameter and Rhyme) but I would be very happy in a Jazz Club. As we move into the year and the nominations for #PlatVnyl6 are announced you shouldn't be surprised if you see a few artists that most folks wouldn't consider "Christian". We honor a lot of good music that a Christian (and anyone else) should like. Stay tuned. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Bad Moon Rising: The 2014 Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Qtr - Modern Worship

We have come to the final three. If you've been following things you can do the math and figure out who the big winners are. I already said we had a tie for first. Modern Worship is a big winner every quarter. It's one of the most overrun genres in Christian Music. What Hath Hillsong Wrought? I won't waste any more space. Here is the list.

Modern Worship

• Bluetree - Worship and Justice
• Lincoln Brewster - Oxygen: A Worship Album
• Cadence - Home
• Covenant Worship - Kingdom
• Desperation Band - Banner
• Steffany Gretzinger - The Undoing
• Hillsong Worship - No Other Name Deluxe
• Justin Jarvis - Atmospheres
• New Hope Oahu - Victorious
• Kathryn Scott - Sing on The Battlefield
• Rhyan Shirley - High Above
• Dustin Smith - Coming Alive
• Summit FutureNow - The Now and The Not Yet
• Jaye Thomas - Here is My Worship

I can be a bit nitpicky. I didn't like No Other Name by Hillsong, yet with the Deluxe edition I think they hit the right notes. I liked New Hope Oahu better this time around, yet I still wish there was a bit more Holy Ho (as in Don Ho). They're in Hawaii for goodness sake. A little local color would be nice from time to time. The final two are next: Alternative and Gospel. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Warm Tones: The 2012 4th Quarter - Modern Worship

Continuing with the announcement of the eligible entries for the 4th Quarter of 2012. We move on to Modern Worship. Things were fairly well represented here, and we shall know soon how many of these made it into the final round, due to circumstances mentioned earlier. They do all make the initial pool, however briefly.

• All Sons and Daughters - The Longing: EP No. 3
• Jared Anderson - The Narrow Road
• Jeff Deyo - Moving Mountains
• Esterlyn - Woven
• Hillsong Live - Cornerstone
• Beckah Shae - Rest

For those betting on the final outcome, know that of the six mentioned here, Deyo and Shae have the best shot of appearing in the final nominees.

That is it for Modern Worship, and up next will be Gospel. Until tomorrow, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

2012 Wishlist: Modern Worship and Inspirational



Courtesy Amazon

Considering the Genre, I thought it appropriate for a rare Sunday Post. If you've ever wondered why you couldn't have a post on Sunday, your wish is granted. Sometimes Wishes are granted early. 2010's Inaugural Modern Worship Best Album was won by the Irish experimental Modern Worship group Rend Collective Experiment and their Organic Family Hymnal. In my mind, with their refreshingly unique sound, (they even used a Xylophone), their really was no doubt in my mind who was the winner. I was going to start off hoping for a new release from them, and lo and behold, they have. Homemade Worship by Handmade People will come out Next Tuesday January 10. That's one off of my list. Thank You. Based on their debut, I think it is fair to say that the CD will wind up among the PVA 2012 Final Nominees.

Now, Going even less out on a limb, I predict there will be a release by a Hillsong branch sometime in 2012 (Actually Hillsong United- February 14). Check.

There really isn't much that I Wish for from this genre. I kind of let it fly and see what I like.

In 2010 The Inspirational Genre didn't exist. It was created this year to make way for Jackie Evancho. For 2012 My Wish is for enough entries to justify the category.

Only Four Categories to go. As always, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

God's Not Dead

That's the title of the Newsboys recent worship album, but I guess that was only chosen becuse "The Covering" was already taken (by Stryper). Of the Dozen Songs on the Album, 33% of them are covers (Your Love Never Fails, Mighty to Save, Forever Reign, and Revelation Song)


Now I'm nitpicking here, but what is it with Newsboys and Hillsong, especially Mighty to Save. On the original Born Again album it appeared. Then on the miracles edition it appeared twice, one of them a remix by Family Force Five. Now it's on GND. That's four times on three albums. Other CCM reviewers feel that MTS has been "covered to death" as it is. Perhaps Hillsong should voluntarily retire the song.

On to the album. Despite the Covers, the album shines. Newsboys are back to their pop sound with album. I kind of liked the DC Talk sound on Born Again. Part of My problem with the album is that, it could have been done by anyone. The covers sound almost like the original. Okay, since Kari Jobe doesn't sound anything like Michael Tait, but other than that. Part of what made the original Mighty To Save cover (which is on here) is the screaming guitars, which is not on the Hillsong version.

I'm a rocker, and Skillet Worship is my favorite worship album out there. Beside MTS, all that gets my blood pumping is I am Second to None. It's not enough for me. They should have ratcheted it up.

I'm Sorry. God's Not Dead, but this album is on life support. My final rating 3.75 Emeralds. There are going to be so many good albums coming out in the next eleven months. It's not worthy of a PVA. That hurt, just to say. Next time guys. Until next time I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Heating It Up: Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Quarter Nominees - Modern Worship

Moving On to Modern Worship. And there's only one Hillsong Entrant. I guess it is possible to have a best of Modern Worship not dominated by the Australian Megachurch.

Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Quarter Nominees

Like I said, this is Modern Worship. Now for anyone not clear on the concept, basically it is worship music with a rock beat. Now I have a problem with most modern worship music, but it's not the same problem that most have. Sure, there is the standard gripe that Hillsong Church seems to dominate the genre, but my biggest gripe is it's too tame. I Prefer Skillet and Worth Dying For. Let's crank this up to 25. Who do we think we are, the Talley Trio?

Modern Worship

• Jeff Anderson - A Thousand Tongues
• Daniel Bashta - The Sounds of Daniel Bashta
• The Ember Days - Emergency
• My Epic - Broken Voice
• Hillsong Live - God Is Able (Live)
• Leeland - The Great Awakening
• Planetshakers - Nothing Is Impossible
• Pocket Full of Rocks - Let it Rain: The Best of Pocket Full of Rocks
• Cindy Cruse Ratcliff - Twenty Three
• Matt Redman - 10,000 Reasons
• Jeremy Riddle - Furious
• Vineyard Worship UK - My Soul Yearns 

Scroll down to the bottom of the Darlene Zschech review for my bonus on C.C.R. Now while The Ember Days doesn't exactly crank thinks up as high as I would like, no one can doubt that they set themselves apart with an Alternative/Trance Sound. They definitely are the Anti-Hillsong. There is still more to come, so stay with me. As always, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

A Band is a Terrible Thing To Waste

Pardon the ripoff of the UNCF Slogan, but it applies. You are never too much of an expert to learn something new. Never more could that be applied than to the Modern Worship genre. The lesson to be learned comes form the Gospel Genre "A Choir, Never Leave Home Without It." Whenever a Gospel album is released, though the Album title may not reveal it (John P. Kee, Fred Hammond, etc) the Choir (Love Fellowship Crusade Choir, etc.) is ALWAYS THERE, along with the orchestra. They know what people want and they give it to them.

Modern Worship has forgotten that, evident by the trend in "Solo" albums that are coming out from famous worship leaders. The latest release comes from Hillsong Church Australia's Darlene Zschech called You Are Love. I reiterate here a problem I have with live concert albums which I posted in my previous review of such an album by The Rocket Summer. "There is something missing". Now it's not as bad as last years Simply Darlene. That one was missing a lot. I hated it just enough to not bother reviewing it, but if I had, I would have snarkilly called it something like "Simply Awful". As much as I complain that the modern worship genre has been "Hijacked by Hillsong" (I like the alliteration and apologize to all those offended via the proximity of the statement to 9/11). As much as anyone would like to protest, Darlene is Synonymous with Hillsong. That's just the way it is. I'm going to give it 3.75 Emeralds as a final review. Close, but as they say close only counts in Horseshoes and Hand grenades.

Night Beat Bonus: Also suffering from the same problem but a bit better is Cindy Cruse Ratcliff from Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston. Simply entitledTwenty-Three. It is just enough better on its own to go into the Platinum Vinyl mix for the genre, but I don't think that it will survive the judging. I'm giving it 4.25 Emeralds.

That will do it for this week. Tomorrow starts a whole new slew of releases, and keep it locked here to stay informed on them all. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Night Beat Rewind: July 2011

We have completed the first third of the final quarter of entries for the 2011 Platinum Vinyl Award. Boy things have gone by quickly this summer. August looks to be a little quiet. I guess when you're out on the festival circuit you can't have a CD coming out.

Not Exactly Precious Metal

The following handful of entries just missed making the Platinum Vinyl Awards initial cut. We had a very good July. It should make up for having a pretty sparse August.

• Opposition, Altars, 3.5 Emeralds
• Volition, As Hell Retreats, 3 Emeralds
• Out for Blood, Farewell Flight, 3.75 Emeralds
• Turn up the Music: The Hits of Point of Grace, Point of Grace, 3.5 Emeralds
• Kingdom Days in an Evil Age, Sleeping Giant, 3.75 Emeralds

As I have said, four emeralds is my bar. While I think Sleeping Giant and Farewell Flight have some potential, there was just something lacking with their releases. Maybe next time.

July 2011 Platinum Vinyl Nominees

This month was pretty good. We had almost two dozen possible nominees. Now remember, this is the initial list, and things will get whittled down before the finals. This is the first step.

• Brokenness Aside, No. 1, All Sons & Daughters, 4 Emeralds
• Stop the Funeral, Ambassador, 4.5 Emeralds
• A Thousand Tongues, Jeff Anderson, 4.25 Emeralds
• American Dreams, Dominic Balli, 4 Emeralds
• Burlap to Cashmere, Burlap to Cashmere, 4.75 Emeralds
• Validation, Call to Preserve, 4.5 Emeralds
• The Best of, Ricky Dillard and New G, 4.25 Emeralds
• Heavy Worship, The Great Commission, 4.5 Emeralds
• Give Me Rest, Hands, 4.25 Emeralds
• God Is Able (Live), Hillsong Live, 4.25 Emeralds
• You Got My Attention, Dara Maclean, 4.5 Emeralds
• Time And Space, Miss Angie, 4.5 Emeralds
• Broken Voice, My Epic, 4.5 Emeralds
• Come Down O Love Divine, Fernando Ortega, 4.5 Emeralds
• To Those Perishing, A Past Unknown, 4.25 Emeralds
• The God Machine, Phinehas, 4.5 Emeralds
• I'm All In, Robert Pierre, 4.25 Emeralds
• Let it Rain: The Best of Pocket Full of Rocks, Pocket Full of Rocks, 4.25 Emeralds
• 10,000 Reasons, Matt Redman, 4.25 Emeralds
• These Simple Truths (Deluxe Edition), Sidewalk Prophets, 4.25 Emeralds
• Promises, Richard Smallwood, 4.25 Emeralds
• Beautiful Monster, This'l, 4 Emeralds
• Holy Hip Hop, Volume 11, Various Artists, 4.5 Emeralds

That's it for July. It's kind of hard to believe, but in just a few short months I will be beginning the process to pick the seven final nominees in each category for the 2nd Platinum Vinyl Awards. Wow. I hope you stay with me through it all, tell your friends, and as always, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

A Tale of Two Tricia's

Not really, I just liked the way it sounded. I guess I'm a sucker for alliteration. There really is just one Tricia, Tricia Baumhardt (nee Brock), the lead singer for the pop/rock band Superchick. After ten years of singing to millions through a megaphone, she has released a solo project entitled The Road. Now anyone who isn't familiar with her work with Superchick will take right to this album, a top rate modern worship entry that can go toe to toe with the best out there. If you're familiar with Superchick, you're in for a shock.

Mind you it's a good shock, but a shock is a shock. There isn't a lot of chances to highlight your vocal range in modern CCM, or pop music of any kind these days. As a result most of the music is just various shades of a scream. That's not good or bad, it just is. Modern Worship is singer friendly in such a way that it allows the artist to showcase themselves. I know, it sounds strange in a field that is supposed to be "all about God." Trust me, it's good. It prevents the genre from becoming stale.

The CD kicks off with the rocking "Breath of God", a song which would be perfect for a Rebecca St. James worship release if RSJ hadn't gone soft. Sorry Rebecca, love you, but I will praise you was a little lacking in the volume department. You Hear highlights her abilities perfectly. To put it simply, this "Chick" can sing. And it has strings. It's my favorite. Broken for Love's sake, the closing cut, is a Acoustic Duet compete with Banjo. It's a beautiful song.

I'm going to give the album 4 Emeralds. We'll see how that holds up in modern worship. On a traditional star rating I would say maybe 3.5 to 4 stars. For an opposing view, Christianity Today gave a fairly dismissive review, calling it a "Hillsong Knockoff". I think at times that Hillsong should be so lucky to do an album like this. This is a "Road" you wont regret taking. Your comments are always welcome. As always, I am Awaiting Your Reply.