The Frozen Chosen: Pop

We continue with our announcement of those albums released in The 2nd Quarter of 2012 (Actually January-March 2012 for eligibility purposes). We move on to Pop Music. Considering the size of the genre, it isn't surprising that it is also one of the largest genres this quarter. (Modern Worship wound up the largest this quarter)

Pop Music

• Anthem Lights - The Acoustic Sessions
• Audrey Assad - Heart
• Jon Bauer - Forevermore
• Adam Cappa - The Rescue
• Rachel Chan - Go
• Nicole Croteau - Anchors & Silhouettes
• Kari Jobe - Where I Found You
• Lindsay McCaul - If it Leads Me Back
• Jimmy Needham - Clear the Stage
• Britt Nicole - Gold
• Rubyz - Unchanging
• Sixteen Cities - Love is Making A Way
• Take 6 - One
• Jaci Velasquez - Diamond

Of all of the eligible entrants this quarter I was most impressed with newcomer McCaul. Also I thought Jimmy Needham put out a far superior album than Nightlights. On that one I was impressed with the Radio release, but on hearing the entire album, it fell short of the wow factor. This time he took it up a notch.

The next post in the series is Hip Hop. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

A Diamond in The Rough

No this isn't a Bash-N-The-Code retrospective (sorry for the Obscure CCM reference - They Were a '80s CCM band that Wrote a song with the above title). Diamond is the title of the latest release by Latin/Pop CCM artist Jaci Velasquez. I admit to being a little unfamiliar with her music, though I do possess one of her Christmas albums. Diamond is her FIFTEENTH album. She puts out an album roughly every year and a half to two years.

Diamond is a pretty straightforward pop-rock album in the Amy Grant, Charmaine, Kerrie Roberts tradition. There's no needle pushing highs in this album, it's pretty low key. The eleven AC Radio friendly tunes (1 in Spanish) seem "orchestrated" to get radio airplay or even on a soundtrack.

Now don't get me wrong, I like this album, I just don't love it. Maybe it's not hard enough for me, or maybe I am just a bit more comfortable with Pop that occasionally pushes the envelopes of the genre (Like the aforementioned Roberts or Sarah Kelly). The Spanish song is actually my favorite on this album. Con El Viento A Mi Favor (The Wind in My Favor) is beautiful, though I don't understand a word of it. It's like the joke about the preacher. I don't know what she was saying but she said it wonderfully.

Other songs of note are Diamond, Stay, Girl (I am a real sucker for horns), and Trust In You. As to the last one, If she ever decides to hang up the AC crowd, the girl can rock. It is a great moment in the album, even if it is near the end.

As a final rating, I am giving 4.5 Emeralds to Diamond. I think if a few more of the songs were like Trust in You, it could have gone higher. The rating puts it in the mix, and if I need to explode the nomination limit, like I did this year, to accommodate a number of worthy entries and reduce the "we was robbed" comments from fans, it may stand a good chance of making it in. A number of 4.5's made it this year, though I think that will forever be the limit.

The Releases continue to come in, and we at The Night Beat are ready. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

February New Release Preview

Due to the miracle of scheduling, i.e. that music releases happen on a Tuesday, February gives everyone a free week, since the first Tuesday of the month is the 7th. That being said I am going to take the opportunity to give a mention to releases that will be occuring this month that I am anticipating will make a mark in the PVA judging.

While most of the industry will be looking at Diamonds by Jaci Velasquez on the 7th, I will be following Horace Greeley's advice to "Go West Young Man" and casting the night beats attention to California. Modesto, California to be precise, where Worth Dying For, the youth group worship band of Ammunition Ministry. Love Riot, which came out last February. This is the "live version" of that album, and based on my initial listen, is just as good as the studio version.

Kiros, a Canadian Rock-Alternative Act, at least in my opinion, follows up its debut EP with Lay Your Weapons Down. I was impressed by these guys when they came to Massachusetts as part of the Music With a Mission tour. AOL Music says they sound like Chevelle. Since I gave Chevelle's latest Five Emeralds, I am anticipating listening to this.

A runner up in The Inaugural Platinum Vinyl Awards for Best New Artist, Audrey Assad returns with Heart on Valentine's Day, which this year falls on a Tuesday. If her sophomore release is as good as her debut, then we may be looking at the Winner in Pop in 2012.

The month closes with a bang, provided by Portland, Oregon rockers Kutless. Jon Micah Sumrall and company return with Believer, the band's first release in three years (2009 Worship Project It is Well) and the first non-worship project since To Know that You're Alive in 2008. Though delays can be announced at any time prior to the official release, for the time being this is a great way to end a month.

There are a lot more releases this month, I've just picked a few highlights. Rest assured your intrepid blogger will be tracking them all. Until next time I am Awaiting Your Reply.