The Drive To Five: The Class of 2012

We are back live here at the +The WENC Night Beat after the Storm of The Millennium, The Blizzard of 2015 or (gag) Blizzard Juno. No, No, I will not name a storm (Blizzard Joe Bob). You do that with Hurricanes because usually more than one will hit. Not so with Major Blizzards.

One thing the Class of 2012 had with Hurricane's and Blizzards. They are usually named after women. Don't ask me why, though that is changing. 2012 was the ladies year. Marlene Brehm, Rachel Chan, Moriah Peters, Holly Spears, and Lindsay McCaul dominated New Artist and were joined by tokens Jeremy Horn and Jordan Lara. Sorry guys, it wasn't your year. Three of the five are fairly active (Peters, McCaul and Holly Spears) and the rest are resting on their laurels. Hey, it has only been two years. I expect new works from all of them soon.

Of course there were other "new" artists, and I have already spoken of my creation of the Undiscovered Gem Awards. I am not really talking about that. Aaron Gillespie had his "debut" in 2012, yet it was a solo debut. Before that he was the drummer and clean vocalist for metal band Underoath, which broke up in 2011. Abel would have been an undiscovered gem, except that they took their award and broke up. A severe lack of Gratitude in CCM I tell ya.

When we return to our Drive to Five, we will touch on the Comebacks, one of which was very big, at least to me. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Night Beat Rewind: August 2014

Can you believe it's September already? Who knew that Summer was over. Around Night Beat HQ one hardly knew it began. There's only one month left to get in your entries for #PlatVnyl5. Due to this years delayed awards things are going to get pretty crammed up.

We begin this edition of rewind with song releases, or as I like to call it:

The Singles Scene

• Boiling Point - When You've Lost it All 4.50 Emeralds
• Capital Kings - Fireblazin 4.50 Emeralds
• Kevin Max - Light Me Up 4.50 Emeralds
• Transparent - Str8 Like That feat Ada-L 3.75 Emeralds

Now, as I have said before, this is just a Song of The Year bookkeeping method. There will be no automatic pass through. At least not yet. Now, on to the albums. First up, as always, are the releases which, while good, aren't award worthy. 

Missing The Mark

• Bringing Home - Bringing Home 3.75 Emeralds
• Family Force 5 - Time Stands Still 3.50 Emeralds
• Mouth of The South - Struggle Well 3.75 Emeralds
• Sleeping Giant - Finished People 3.75 Emeralds
• Various - Revelation Song: 11 Essential Worship Songs 3.75 Emeralds

Now I know a lot of people like FF5, but this one was too tame for me, and while the songs for Revelation Song might be essential, the artists they picked didn't always ring true (Take the title cut, how could they not pick Kari Jobe. She owns the song)

On the other end of the spectrum, there was one album that just wowed us here at Night Beat HQ, and did it with the help of Pure Emotional Manipulation.

Pure Platinum Perfection

• Lindsay McCaul - One More Step 5 Emeralds

The emotional manipulation in question belongs to the title cut, a journey of a young girl from birth and childhood until the death of her father. It brought the staff to tears. Thankfully not all albums are like that or we would be a snivelling mess, unable to do any serious work. (Of course there is some question whether we do any serious work at all).

Semi-Precious Metal

• Adia - Behind Enemy Lines 4.50 Emeralds
• Bluetree - Worship and Justice 4.50 Emeralds
• Lincoln Brewster - Oxygen: A Worship Album 4.75 Emeralds
• Cody Collier - Breaking Free 4.25 Emeralds
• Darkness Divided - Written In Blood 4.75 Emeralds
• Colton Dixon - Anchor 4.75 Emeralds
• Julie Elias - Love Rain Down 4.75 Emeralds
• Lexi Elisha - Rope EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Esterlyn - Love 4.50 Emeralds
• Amy Grant - In Motion: The Remixes 4.75 Emeralds
• Steffany Gretzinger - The Undoing 4.75 Emeralds
• Group 1 Crew - #Faster EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Hamilton Hardin - Just Wanna Say 4.75 Emeralds
• Shawna Harris - God Is Able 4.25 Emeralds
• House of Heroes - Smoke EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Jars of Clay - 20 4.75 Emeralds
• Brent Jones - Joy Comin 4.50 Emeralds
• Crystal Lewis - 25 4.75 Emeralds
• Tasha Paige Lockhart - Here Right Now 4.75 Emeralds
• Manafest - The Moment 4.50 Emeralds
• Rachael Messini - Honestly 4.75 Emeralds
• Da T.R.U.T.H. presents Mixed Bag - Normal is Overrated 4.75 Emeralds
• NF - EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Needtobreathe - 60/50 Oceanway: The Live Room Sessions 4.25 Emeralds
• VaShawn Mitchell - God My God EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Smokie Norful - Forever Yours 4.75 Emeralds
• Andrew Osenga - Soul EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Selah - You Amaze Us 4.75 Emeralds
• Rhyan Shirley - High Above 4.50 Emeralds
• Shope - EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Swoope - Sinema 4.50 Emeralds
• Isaiah Templeton - Roll in The Dirt 4.50 Emeralds
• Thousand Foot Krutch - Oxygen: Inhale 4.75 Emeralds
• Various Artists - Reverence: An Offering 4.75 Emeralds
• Various Artists - Holy Hip Hop, Volume 18 4.50 Emeralds
• Willet - Searchlight 4.75 Emeralds
• Woven War - Woven War 4.75 Emeralds

Since we are right in the midst of #PlatVnyl4 I will be forgoing links. I'm behind on updating rewind posts as it is. Keep checking back as links will be added. Music Video Monday Will be returning Next Monday. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

#PlatVnyl3 - Female Vocalist of The Year

Though the same rules apply to the Female Vocalist as the Male Vocalist, the fact is that the shenanigans are not as present here. Usually because most of the ladies record under their own names and not under a band. That is changing though: (i.e. Amy Lee of Evanescence; Hayley Williams of Paramore, etc), so shenanigans may abound in the future.

Since there are more ladies recording under their own name, that usually means there will be a bigger nominee pool for FVY. There were, but we managed to narrow it to 7.

• Audrey Assad
• Sara Groves
• Lara Landon
• Sarah Macintosh
• Lindsay McCaul
• Moriah Peters
• Beckah Shae

Both McCaul and Peters would be classified as New Artists as well, so you can't accuse us of holding out until someone "proves themselves". We recognize talent up front.

Of course, one can't help it when the judges almost literally "fall in love" with an artist. And who can disagree anyhow? A "voice" that can carry off any style of music they choose, soar above the loudest instruments or whisper with a sultry style that best is described as "torch singer." That combination carried her above the unique Macintosh, the Powerful Peters, the powerful vocals of Assad. Their time will come. This year, however, the Female Vocalist of The Year in the Platinum Vinyl Awards goes to Lara Landon.

I have a few more wrap-up posts to go. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

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.

Night Beat Rewind: January 2012

This has got to be some kind of record. Here it is only the first week of February and the January tunes are done. Plus I have just finished the First Quarter Platinum Vinyl Awards announcements. Now that that is done, it is time for the January 2012 edition of Night Beat Rewind.

For the newcomer, let me explain. Having only limited resources at present for obtaining full album streams of new releases, the great majority of the new releases are quick-hits from Amazon samples. At the end of each month I compile all the releases, both those I have been able to fully review and those I have not, and put them into a "Rewind" column where I give a rating to each. Without further ado, the January Rewind.

Off Target

• Andrew Greer - Angel Band: The Hymn Sessions 2.25 Emeralds
• Theory Hazit - Thr3e 3.75 Emeralds
• Various Artists - Anchors of Faith, 100 Hymns 3.5 Emeralds

My opinion on these releases? For the most part they are OK. For the most part. Note the first one on the list. My advice - Avoid it. I take no responsibility if you buy it and then say "my ears, my ears". You have been warned.

Purest Platinum

• Blessed By A Broken Heart - Feel The Power 5 Emeralds
• David Crowder Band - Give Us Rest (A Requiem Mass in C) [The Happiest of All Keys] 5 Emeralds

The Polar Opposite. These are the Perfect albums, at least as defined by The Night Beat. Anytime we can get over one in a month is a very good month. Most of the releases, however, fall short of perfection.

Semi-Precious Metal

• All Sons and Daughters - Reason To Sing EP 4.5 Emeralds
• Anthem Lights - The Acoustic Sessions 4.5 Emeralds
• Jon Bauer - Forevermore 4.5 Emeralds
• Bethel Music - The Loft Sessions 4 Emeralds
• Myron Butler - Worship 4.5 Emeralds
• Rachel Chan - Go 4 Emeralds
• Kirk Franklin - The Essential Kirk Franklin 4.75 Emeralds
• Scotty G - Real Life 4.5 Emeralds
• Group 1 Crew - Outta Space Love: Bigger Love Edition 4.75 Emeralds
• Fred Hammond - God, Love and Romance 4.75 Emeralds
• High Society Collective - Circa MMXI: The Collective 4.25 Emeralds
• Kari Jobe - Where I Found You  4.5 Emeralds
• Calvin Jones & Teresa Scanlon - Dueling Pianos: White Water Chopped Sticks - City of Peace 4.75 Emeralds
• Lindsay McCaul - If it Leads Me Back 4.5 Emeralds
• One Sonic Society - Forever Reign 4.5 Emeralds
• Parachute Band - Matins: Vespers 4.5 Emeralds
• Pioneer - Pioneer 4.5 Emeralds
• Rapzilla - King Kulture 4.5 Emeralds
• Rend Collective Experiment - Homemade Worship by Handmade People 4.75 Emeralds
• Sanctuary - Reveal 4.75 Emeralds
• Michael W. Smith - Decades of Worship 4.5 Emeralds
• Starfield - The Kingdom 4.75 Emeralds
• Tidewater - This Beautiful Life EP 4.25 Emeralds
• Various Artists - Seasons of Hope 4.5 Emeralds
• Various Artists - Seasons of Joy 4.5 Emeralds
• Various Artists - Seasons of Reflection 4.5 Emeralds
• Various Artists - WoW Gospel 2012 4.5 Emeralds
• Worship Central - Spirit Break Out 4.5 Emeralds
• Yancy - Little Praise Party: Happy Day Everyday 4.75 Emeralds

That ends the first edition of Rewind for 2012. Check out the new releases, and enjoy. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

If It Leads Me Back

There's a "flip side" to every album. Kids, ask your parents to explain that obscure musical reference. In the mp3 age there aren't even discs. Sides went away with CD's.

A few months ago an EP was released by Lindsay McCaul entitled If It Leads Me Back (It was in my August Rewind). The four song EP got 3.75 Emeralds, just out of the running.
Fast Forward five months. Deja Vu all over again. Lindsay has an album coming out Today with the same name. Things like this send one scrambling to check your notes.

The CD trumps the EP by 0.75 Emeralds. Yes, this one gets bumped up to 4.5 Emeralds. The entire EP is on the album, and is accompanied by seven new songs. My favorite right now is Where Do You Go  because of the orchestration. The title cut, which is saved for last, is also a favorite, because its slow, minimal accompaniment (only piano) highlights her voice. (A Trivial note: Though the EP was also entitled If it Leads Me Back, that song itself was not on the EP). The album is Pop, though Take My Hand is the obligatory CCM Modern Worship tune. It is also one of the more beautiful songs on the album, so don't despair.

As I was reviewing Rachel Chan's Debut I commented that there would be much better Pop releases this year. We Only had to wait one week to find one. This definitely indicates that, once again, we are off to the races in the pop genre. I am Ready. Sorry. What I am is Awaiting Your Reply.