The 43rd Annual GMA Dove Nominees

I had hoped to have my list of nominees for the 2nd Annual Platinum Vinyl Awards out before the Dove Awards were announced, but it soon became obvious that that would not be the case. No big problem when you are only a one man job. Apart from their being two categories for Inspirational Album of the Year (a complete mystery) they seemed to do a lot better picking nominees this time. Not enough to cede them the playing field, however. Competition keeps one sharp.

It would stand to reason that the Dove's would improve greatly if they would just add a dance category. Or at least something called Electronic. Right now some of the contortions they pull off in putting people in some categories would astound a Cirque du Soleil gymnast.

We will begin with the album of the year categories, since that is where I am strongest (I am starting to get a handle on Song of The Year this time around).

Rap/Hip Hop Album

• Blacklight - Tedashii
• Captured - Flame
• Culture Shock - Jai
• Rehab: The Overdose - Lecrae
• The Whole Truth - DA T.R.U.T.H.

The GMA hit this one out of the park. With the exception of Lecrae's choice of album (I went with Rehab: Deluxe Edition over Rehab: The Overdose) It was Five for Five with my picks, at least artist wise. Oh, one minor tweak. Jai is Dance not Hip Hop and I have rewarded her accordingly.

Rock Album

• Control - Abandon
• Until We Have Faces - Red
• Vice Verses - Switchfoot
• What I've Become - Ashes Remain
• With Shivering Hearts We Wait - Blindside

Red and Switchfoot are no brainers, though having no hard rock category really means some deserving artists are left out in the cold. While Abandon, Ashes Remain and Blindside had good albums, I thought some others were better. Sorry folks, no spoilers here.

Pop/Contemporary Album

• A Beautiful Life - Mikeschair
• Blessings - Laura Story
• Hundred More Years - Francesca Battistelli
• One Song at a Time - Jamie Grace
• What if We Were Real - Mandisa

This is where the GMA's and I part ways. While I had Mandisa among my picks, I thought that What if We Were Real fit squarely in the Gospel/R&B genre, at least to this DJ's ears. Francesca, Laura and Jamie, at least in my opinion, were good, but just edged out by better material.

Rock/Contemporary Album

• Ad Astra Oer Aspera - Abandon Kansas
• Come Home - Luminate
• Crazy Love - Hawk Nelson
• Mountains Move - Kristian Stanfill
• The Reckoning - Needtobreathe

This will be the last category for this post. Luminate was the only one nominated for a Platinum Vinyl Award among this bunch, and they went into Modern Worship. Even busting the limits in nominees couldn't get the others in. Someone will always be robbed, that's just the way it is.

That concludes the first post of the Night Beat Dove Awards Nominations Coverage. Predictions will be made at a later time, closer to the April Awards. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

A Change in the Atmosphere

Come Home, the first full length release from Pop-Rock/Modern Worship band Luminate, is also the first album of 2011 to get consideration for the next Platinum Vinyl Awards. The 12 Songs are mostly vertical oriented, and thus qualifies as a modern worship release. As opposed to Leaving Eden by Brandon Heath, it doesn't take multiple listens to figure out what they are trying to say. I don't mean understand the words, I mean the message. The message is clear and simple, and their are no cringe-worthy doctrinal statements.

The title cut is a Plea to the Prodigal, and the pleading of the father really comes through in the chorus

I know you've been running, looking for something, but you're looking in a place you don't belong. It's never too late, you can't outrun grace. No, mercy doesn't care what you've done. So come home.

Hope is Rising gives voice to the universal desire of man to be free, whether free from physical bonds or the bonds of sin.

Every prison has a door, every captive can be free. Every sinner has a hope, now hope is rising up in me.

Atmosphere is an infectious worship song that echoes Moses cry "Show me your Glory"

You've opened up my eyes to your Glory Lord, I've tasted and I've seen, and I want more. I stand here amazed, I fall upon your Grace, I've tasted and I've seen, and I want more.

My personal favorite after several listens, is Destiny, the next to the last track. Part of its appeal is that it sounds like it should be a Denver & The Mile High Orchestra Jazz/Big Band tune. Some say Delirious, but I beg to differ.

My initial rating for Come Home was 4 Emeralds out of a possible 5, but I am bumping that rating to 4.5 Emeralds, placing it in the hopper of contenders for next years PVA's. I want more indeed.