The Home of the Platinum Vinyl Awards. Reviews of New CD releases, mostly CCM but also mainstream releases that may interest the Christian Music listener. Music News and Commentary, especially when there's a CCM connection.
A moment to be proud of. It's march 2nd, the final release day of February was the 28th and the album edition at least is in the books. Splitting the Song and Album releases has paid off. Let's get to the results. We begin with the albums which do not make the cut.
Missing The Mark
David and Nicole Binion - Glory of Eden (Live) 4.25 Emeralds
Emcee N.I.C.E. - Iron Dove (The Prequel) 4.25 Emeralds
Only two MTM this month. On to the perfect.
Pure Platinum Perfection
The Classic Crime - Patterns in the Static 5 Emeralds
Todd Dulaney - Back To The Book EP 5 Emeralds
Elevation Youth - Technicolour 5 Emeralds
Fight The Fade - In Love In Hope In Peace 5 Emeralds
Hulvey - BRKNHRT EP 5 Emeralds
In Salvation - Exodus 5 Emeralds
Jordan and Jessa - Glorious 5 Emeralds
Judah Band - HUSH The EP 5 Emeralds
Elle Limebear - Lost In Wonder 5 Emeralds
Mandisa - Overcomer: Greatest Hits 5 Emeralds
Random Hero - Tension Acoustic EP 5 Emeralds
Saint Esprit - Speak To Me EP 5 Emeralds
Switch - Symphony 5 Emeralds
3Force - Divide and Collide Instrumentals 5 Emeralds
JJ Weeks - The Sound of Freedom EP 5 Emeralds
Matthew West - Brand New 5 Emeralds
16-2 in favor of the Perfect. Deserved, but maybe a little push for Valentines. The most, though, is in the middle.
Semi-Precious Metal
Avalon - Called 4.75 Emeralds
Paul Baloche - Behold Him 4.50 Emeralds
Jeremy Camp - I Still Believe: Greatest Hits 4.75 Emeralds
Larry Clark and Twinkie Clark - The Generations 4.75 Emeralds
Junior Garr - The Garden EP 4.50 Emeralds
Keith and Kristyn Getty - Sing! The Life of Christ Quintology: Passion EP 4.75 Emeralds
Rob Graves - Solstice 4.75 Emeralds
Ellie Holcomb - Sing: Remembering Songs EP 4.75 Emeralds
John Mark McMillan - Peopled With Dreams 4.50 Emeralds
Tyson Mostenbocker - Someday I'll Make It All Up To You 4.75 Emeralds
Leigh Nash - Get Happy 4.75 Emeralds
New Song - Just Jesus 4.75 Emeralds
Ovation Worship -Live EP 4.75 Emeralds
Justin Rizzo - Shapeshifter 4.75 Emeralds
SEU Worship - Eden to Eternity EP 4.75 Emeralds
John Schlitt - Go 4.75 Emeralds
Shane and Shane - Hymns in The Round 4.75 Emeralds
Shane and Shane - The Worship Initiative, Volume 19 4.75 Emeralds
Andrew Stanton - Dive Bomb 4.75 Emeralds
Harper Still - Show Love: Songs For Our Children 4.75 Emeralds
Various Artists - Simple Hymns: Songs of Easter 4.50 Emeralds
That does it for February. I guess leap year works wonders. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.
Welcome to the latest edition of Music Video Monday. We Have moved into the Videos for albums released in the First Quarter of the 2012 Nomination Year (October - December, 2011). There were no Children's Music Entries, and While Folk had an entry, nothing on the video front so far. Last week we had Lights and Satellites and Sirens in the Electronica genre. Gospel also had nothing yet, so we move on to Alternative.
I know it's only April, but I couldn't help but think. Winter forgot us here in the Northeast (not that I'm complaining), though sometimes I think we're getting winter in the Spring. Will Summer Forget Us. This is Deas Vail and Summer Forgets Me.
John Mark McMillan has improved quite a bit since I considered The Medicine to be unlistenable back in 2010. I liked Economy, his latest release, and it is in the running for the 2012 PVA's. This is Sheet of Night from Economy
Finally we have Run Kid Run and Daylight from their album Patterns.
Next week we will move on to Pop, a very well represented genre in the First Quarter of 2012. Until the next Music Video Monday, I am Awaiting Your Reply.
If the Gospel genre had a good showing this quarter with four entries, then this one was excellent with six. Pop, to nobody's surprise, had the best showing, but I shall hold off the reveal until it's time.
Forget Double Dip, try quadruple dip for the first entry. Alt-Ambient band Future of Forestry thrilled its fans with the Travel EP series. This quarter they combined the three EP's in the series into one CD. So if you loved Traveler's Song, Protection, or Working to Be Loved, it is all here on a single CD (or, of course, mp3). A near perfect combination, TCTS received 4.75 Emeralds.
Sometimes all it takes is the right album. A few years ago everyone was all gaga (not lady) over John Mark McMillan and The Medicine. When I heard the album I wasn't that impressed. Actually, I didn't like it at all. Fast forward two years (one actually, but two PVA eligibility years) and he comes out with Economy. Maybe it was the fact that it was a bit more rock and roll and a little less experimental, maybe he was just growing on me, or maybe I was (gasp!) becoming part of the CCM Elite! (Naaah!). Either way I liked it and gave it a passable score of 4 Emeralds.
We also had a release from a Tooth and Nail artist, which should be no surprise by now. You think you would be able to detect a bunch of Patterns by now. And by that I mean Patterns by Run, Kid, Run, who have been compared to The Rocket Summer, which is quite a compliment. I thought the album deserved a respectable 4.5 Emeralds.
New artist Caleb went To the ends of the World and received 4.25 Emeralds for it. They certainly didn't have to go that far, but such is the life. I would have given it to them without all the Travel. Deas Vail had their self titled release garner the same rating without the additional road miles. Finally, we waved at Wavorly as their EP garnered 4.25 Emeralds as well.
Because of some astute combining of categories, we only have four more to go, but they are all well stocked, with one having almost two years full of possible entries. We drive on. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.
P.S. The New Releases are available to stream. Check out Live Riotby Worth Dying For, Feel The Powerby Tooth and Nail artist Blessed by a Broken Heart (Classic Metal) and The Essential Kirk Franklin. The Last two are out now, WDF comes out February 7. Check them all out and enjoy the music.
