The Musical Industrial Complex: The 2018 Platinum Vinyl Awards 2nd Qtr (Jan - Mar, 2018) - Pop

We continue with our rollout of the 2nd Quarter of 2018 Pool Entries for the Platinum Vinyl Awards (#PlatVnyl9). A tie is next. Pop and Rock tied with 9 entries. Pop Music is first up.

Pop Music

• Dave Barnes - Who Knew It Would Be So Hard To Be Myself
• Leanna Crawford - Crazy Beautiful You (Deluxe)
• Jordan Feliz - Future 
• Jaxon - The Journey EP
• Marc Martel - My Way, Volume 1
• Mass Anthem - Through People Like Me
• Mercy Me - I Can Only Imagine: The Best of Mercy Me
• Nicole C. Mullen - Like Never Before
• Michael W. Smith - A Million Lights

Marc Martel (formerly of Downhere) did a cover album of Mainstream Classic Pop, sort of like Kevin Max Starry Nights. It is a very good album. All the rest are more "traditional" Christian Albums. Rap music is next. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

The Night Beat 10 Best Albums of 2017

We are really flying here at Night Beat HQ. I am pretty much on top of things. We should have our December Rewind up by the end of the year. Our look at the We Love Christian Music Awards should be done by then as well. And we are moving ahead with #PlatVnyl8. While I still think I will need additional judges for this one (and possibly beyond), things are looking good right now.

One of the final things for the year is Our list of The Top 10 Albums of 2017. And I have narrowed it down to 10. Let's get to it.

1. In Rivers, Light City Music: The Top Album of The Year is a Worship Album unlike any other, and from Canada. Vertical Worship is very rare these days, most worship is Praise by another name. This album is only available from Apple Music and iTunes. While they are the biggest and the best, it seems like the Music World is against these people.
2. Synthesis, Evanescence: Under most circumstances an album like this wouldn't make the list (and not for the reason you think). No, the reason I wouldn't have this on the list is, for the most part, it is a best of album. The reason it is on the list is that they haven't just re-recorded these songs, they have redone them completely with a live orchestra. It's the best thing going since RED.
3. Gone, RED: Yes, that is a good lead-in. The Pioneer and Still King of Orchestral Rock. Whether Thrashing with Step Inside, The Violence, Rocking with the title cut, or slowing it down with a Ballad like Hold On, the saying is true, RED always catches the eye. The Best RED Ever? I still think that's Innocence and Instinct. This may be number 2 for now.
4. Sheep Among Wolves, Project 86: You would think that a band with the aim of never making two albums the same would wind up making a misstep and you would get a clunker or two. Not this band. There is a bit of room to breathe on this one (a few ballads). The wolves will never know what hit them.
5. Starlight, Bethel Music. Bethel Church takes its show on the road for a live tour with friends. If you can't find a copy of In Rivers, this is a more than acceptable alternative if you are seeking Vertical Worship.
6. The Never Again, Lara Landon: The Way Unplugged Should Be. Lara is one of those artists that "could sing the phone book" (yes, I know, they went the way of the pay phone). Worship with minor accompaniment. The only problem. It's only seven cuts.
7. Benediction (Live), The City Harmonic: Sometimes Things End Well. The City Harmonic was one of the most innovative Worship Bands to grace the scene (and Surprisingly enough, this is another Canadian Band (Both Light City and The City Harmonic are from Ontario. Something is going on North of The Border).
8. Every Mile Mattered, Nichole Nordeman: We love artists with a few miles under their belt. We like it even more when the miles do not change you. Nichole has stayed true to her pop roots and even worked in a little EDM here and there. From someone who has been there from the first. Thank You.
9. Lifer, Mercy Me: Happy Dance. Enough Said. I can only imagine may have brought them fame, but they have had to weather "Friendly Fire" as they have been more blatant in the message of Grace. It was always there though. Best songs: Grace Got You and Best News Ever.
10. One Way Conversations, Hollyn: One of the best new artists. Her Sophomore release has no slump. No musical style is beyond her ability (Rap, Dance, Gospel, it's all here and done to perfection.)

I didn't say getting down to 10 was easy. There were a lot of good albums that didn't make the cut. I won't give you all the 5 Emerald Albums released (There Would Be 53 others). I will only go with those left after the first round of cuts. Without Rank, the Honorable Mention.

• Beatitudes, Stu G and Friends
• Colliding By Design, Acceptance
• Here (Live), Red Rocks Worship
• In Prayer, Salt of The Sound
• Projections, Landry Cantrell
• Rise, Danny Gokey
• The Rush and The Roar, We Are Leo
• Skin and Earth, Lights
• Suddenly (or The Nuclear Sunburst of The Truth Revealed), Young Oceans
• Unleashed Beyond, Skillet
• Untraveled Roads: A Live Album, Thousand Foot Krutch

2017 has been a really good year, and I have every reason to believe that 2018 will be just as good, if not better. I encourage you to respond via comments, Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus as to what you think. Until next year, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Copernicus Rocks: The 2017 Platinum Vinyl Awards 2nd Qtr - Pop

We are done. The finish line is in sight. Pop Music tied with Modern Worship with 11 entries this quarter. Let's cross the line together.

Pop Music

• Tim Drisdelle - Depths, Part 2
• David Dunn - Yellow Balloons
• Out of The Dust - Out of The Dust
• Fireflight - Re-Imag-Innova
• Danny Gokey - Rise
• Grayson/Reed Walk EP
• Hollyn - One Way Conversations
• Mercy Me - Lifer 
• Kerrie Roberts - Boundless
• Root Road - Come Alive
• Ayiesha Woods - The Runway Project EP

And we are done. And the prize is.... We get to move on to the third quarter. Thrilling, I know. The third Quarter is underway, and we are there. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply. 

Night Beat Rewind: March 2017

Things are backed up here at Night Beat HQ. Here it is almost the first of May and I have not even put out the March edition of Rewind. Well, the procrastination and delay ends right now. Some of the problem is unavoidable. My April notes disappeared, so I am forced to re-listen and re-rate for the first 3 weeks of April. Ouch. Anyway, let's get to it. We begin, as always, with the songs released during the month, or as we like to call it.

The Singles Scene

• Built By Titan - You (feat Skybourne) 4.75 Emeralds
• Hillsong Worship - What A Beautiful Name 4.50 Emeralds
• Hillsong Young and Free - Where You Are (Re-imagined) 
• Dara Maclean - Ashes 5 Emeralds
• Mandisa - Unfinished 5 Emeralds
• Kim Walker-Smith - Throne Room 5 Emeralds
• Ryan Stevenson - The Gospel 5 Emeralds 

Despite it being marketed as an EP, I am including Hillsong's What a Beautiful Name as a Single. It is really 1 song remixed 6 different ways. That does it for the singles. We move to the albums, and we also begin with those albums which do not make the #PlatVnyl8 cut.

Missing The Mark

• Dru Bex - The Good Album 3.75 Emeralds
• J-Giles Son - Promise 2 3.50 Emeralds
• Montel Dorsey and MUniversity - Love Over Hate 3.50 Emeralds
• Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors - Souvenir 3.75 Emeralds
• Random Hero - The Covering 3.75 Emeralds

5 miss the mark makes me confident that things are still on the level at Night Beat HQ. Too many would make me wonder about the quality of the industry. Of course the next grouping makes me wonder if I am going soft.

Pure Platinum Perfection

• Colton Dixon - Identity 5 Emeralds
• Demon Hunter - Outlive 5 Emeralds
• Edge Kirkland - Ekrmx 5 Emeralds
• Mercy Me - Lifer 5 Emeralds
• Kerrie Roberts - Boundless 5 Emeralds

5 Perfect albums in a month means 60 in a year if the trend continues. That could mean an award ceremony of only perfect albums.

Semi-Precious Metal

• As We Ascend - Farewell To Midnight 4.75 Emeralds
• Jason Bare - Fearless 4.75 Emeralds
• Daniel Bashta - My Resurrection (Live) 4.50 Emeralds
• Brooke and Boggs - Wildfire EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Dante Bowe - Son of a Father 4.75 Emeralds
• Earnest A - Form Father to Son 4.50 Emeralds
• Elevation Worship - There is a Cloud 4.75 Emeralds
• Fireflight - Re-Imag-Innova EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Flatfoot 56 -Odd Boat 4.75 Emeralds 
• Young Fox - Sky Beats Gold 4.75 Emeralds
• GAWVI - We Belong 4.75 Emeralds
• Informants - Uprising 4.75 Emeralds
• K.I.D.S. - Side A EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Sajan Nauriyal - Always Enough 4.75 Emeralds
• Out of The Dust - Out of the Dust 4.75 Emeralds
• Righteous Vendetta - Cursed 4.75 Emeralds
• Root Road - Come Alive 4.50 Emeralds
• Selah - Unbreakable 4.50 Emeralds
• Aaron Shust - Love Made A Way (Live) 4.75 Emeralds
• Rita Springer - Battles 4.75 Emeralds
• Aaron Sprinkle - Real Life 4.75 Emeralds
• Laura Story - Open Hands 4.75 Emeralds
• Greg Sykes - Reverse EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Mike Teruel - Fragments 4.50 Emeralds
• Jaci Velasquez - Trust 4.75 Emeralds
• Darlene Zschech - Here I Am Send Me 4.50 Emeralds

It took a week, but here we are. The MARCH edition of Rewind. If you haven't noticed the calendar, it is May. If you live in the Northeast United States you can be forgiven for your disbelief. It certainly doesn't feel like May, it feels a lot like March. On to April. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Music Video Monday: I Dream of You

Welcome back to our regular scheduled edition of Music Video Monday. We're still scrounging for new stuff. How long can it take to list a video on youtube?

We begin with a Lyric Video from +Jonny Diaz off his new release Let It Fly. This is Thank God I Got Her.
Next up we have +mercymevideo . They've got the entire Mainstream "Religious" World ready to pick up their stones. That's always a sign you're on the right track. They call it Hyper-Grace, we call it Bible. Get up an Shake.
And finally, we conclude our journey with a Night Beat favorite, +JJHellermusic . She just put out a Children's Album. Major Cuteness Alert. Clap along with JJ and I Dream Of You.
That concludes our Video journey. We will have something for Memorial Day, I just don't know what. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Music Video Monday: Moment to Moment

Welcome to the latest edition of Music Video Monday. Since I am continually getting new readers care of Facebook, I think it is only proper that I should continue with my introduction every week. Music Video Monday is where I share the best in Christian Music Videos on the web. Think of it as my way to resurrect the original MTV.

We have come to the Rock Genre for the 3rd Quarter Releases of 2012. Due to the abundance of videos out there, (there were 10), I am once again splitting this into two weeks, and part two will be out on Labor Day. Todays edition will be somewhat more sedate than next. We'll leave the hard stuff for the holidays.

We begin with Big Daddy Weave, one of those bands that I had somewhat forgotten about. This is Redeemed off of their album Love Come To Life.

We move on to our next band, the Rock/Worship band Deluge. This is a live performance of Your Joy from their release Swell.

Continuing with Rock/Worship, this is The Hurt and The Healer, the song from the album of the same name by legend Mercy Me.

We conclude with the harder stuff, a preview to next week. We Begin with a band originally called Magnified Plaid. Thankfully it got shortened to MxPx. This is Far Away from Plans Within Plans.

And we conclude with Sibling Punkers Children 18:3 and Moment to Moment from their latest release On the Run.

That concludes this edition of Music Video Monday. We will be having an MVM post on Labor Day, and we will finish up the Rock genre with videos from The Rocket Summer, Thousand Foot Krutch, Willet, Write This Down, and Classic Petra. Until then, or my next post, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Sunday Funnies: How To Speak Northern Irish

With all apologies to my fans in the British Commonwealth, but it is amazing that they say that Americans, Canadian, Aussies, Kiwis (New Zealand) and Brits all speak the same language. Here in the states the Midwesterners who are said to have no accent are sure that us in the Northeast and in the South don't speak English.

The Modern Worship genre is dominated by the Hillsong/Maranatha consortium, and though very good, it does contribute to a sense of "Heard it already" among many albums. It is like a refreshing glass of ice water then when a group arrives that breaks the mold. That group is Rend Collective Experiment. Per my last paragraph, these guys are from Northern Ireland. Their facebook page lists about sixteen members, but I think they rotate them. In the vein of early Caedmon's Call Music, they seem to play just about anything. I still swear I can hear a Xylophone in some of their music.

Being Irish they have a good sense of humor, and nowhere is it more evident in their new Youtube series How To Speak Northern Irish. For the first episode they corralled Bart Millard of Mercy Me to say How Now Brown Cow, sort of.

Not content to rest there, they next corralled Hip Hop artist Lecrae. Lecrae got his revenge by trying to get them to "Keep It Trill" (True and Real). Personally I think this one was better.

Now Rend Collective isn't just fun and games, though it helps. This is the music video for the single off their new album Homemade Worship by Handmade People. This is Second Chance.

I hope you enjoyed the music, and had a good laugh at trying to speak Northern Irish. I know I haven't laughed so hard in a while. Until we next meet, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

I Coulda Been a Nominee

In a previous post I had promised that after the awarding of the 2010 Platinum Vinyl Awards I would take the comments I had received about who was "Snubbed" and produce an honorable mention post, but, due to the dearth of comments (cue crickets) I have decided to reveal which albums, in my opinion, just missed being considered award-worthy. Of course the only genres not to be listed here will be Folk/Folk Rock, Children's Music, and Gospel/R&B, because those categories either never attained what would be a normal number of 7 nominees or just met it, so I never had to whittle down the category once nominations closed.

We'll start with the Pop genre. This one had quite a bit of contenders, and a few worthy ones eventually didn't make the cut. Among them were The Generous Mr. Lovewell by Mercy Me, the self titled releases from Newworldson and Me in Motion, one of my favorites Around The World by Indie Violin-Rock act Reilly and The House You're Building by Best New Artist Nominee Audrey Assad.

The Rock genre got to be so numerous that it was eventually split into two genres: Rock and Hard Rock. Even with that adjustment, there were some that couldn't be accommodated.

The Rock Genre, which consists of your basic pop-rock, arena rock, basically anything not metal or metalcore. Among the honorable mentions were the Self Titled debut from Best New Artist nominee Kerrie Roberts and Heather Williams, the Best of Chronology Our Journey...So Far by Barlowgirl, and the Rock/Worship releases Live by Jeremy Camp and It is Well by Kutless.

The Hard Rock Genre, which comprises all metal and thrash and the like, as well as really Hard Rock, actually had very few snubs. If we had had 10 nomination slots (I thought seven was enough) we could have fit them all in. Left Behind were Metal-Core Pioneers Living Sacrifice and The Infinite Order, Kentucky Metal act Bride's latest Tsar Bomba and the re-release by The Crucified The Pillars of Humanity.

I think that's enough for one post. There was plenty more work to do in Alternative and Modern Worship, as well as a few that needed to be scratched from the dance floor. I'll deal with that in a coming post.