The Frozen Chosen: Modern Worship

This has got to be the most oxymoronic title I have ever put on a post, since Modern Worship is supposed to be the answer to the Church Malady known as being "stiff" (aka Frozen Chosen) but I couldn't resist.

Modern Worship had a very good showing this quarter, with almost two dozen possible entries. Of course such a large pool means a lot of work next spring, but I would rather that than have to count the number of entrants on one hand (Do You Hear Me Children's Music?). Just as an aside, I am typing this post while listening to TFK's The End is the Beginning. I can see a very good recommendation coming for this release. It drops next Tuesday. Let's get on to the list.

Modern Worship

• All Sons and Daughters - Season One
• Jon Bauer - Forevermore
• Bethel Music - The Loft Sessions
• Andy Cherry - Nothing Left To Fear
• Cornerstone Church Worship - The Heart Revolution
• Gateway Next - Look Up
• Aaron Gillespie - Echo Your Song (Live)
• Kari Jobe - Where I Found You
• One Sonic Society - Forever Reign
• Parachute Band - Matins : Vespers
• Passion 2012 - White Flag
• Rend Collective Experiment - Homemade Worship by Handmade People
• Sanctuary - Reveal
• Michael W. Smith - Decades of Worship
• Starfield - The Kingdom
• Various Artists - Awaken My Soul: Songs of Redemption
• Various Artists - Maranatha Music: How Great is our God
• Various Artists - Mission Worship: Come People of the Risen King
• Various Artists - Worship Together: 25 Favorite Worship Songs
• Vineyard Music - I Love Your Presence: Live From Phoenix
• Worship Central - Spirit Break Out
• Worth Dying For - Live Riot

Whew! That was a lot. Like I said previously, too many is better than none. I will continue to dribble these out throughout the week. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Spring Beats: 2011 PVA 2nd Qtr Nominees - Modern Worship

It's crazy time here at The Night Beat. Between scheduling the posting for the Inaugural Platinum Vinyl Awards, keeping up with the nominees for 2011, and keeping up with general news, things can get pretty intense. That when combined with the stress of the Minnesota Twins slow start (They won today, but are still 6-10 currently last in AL Central) and the Bruins Playoff Slump (Beat the Habs 4-2 Today, but still are down 2-1 in the best of Seven Series). There's only so much time in the day. Once the PVA's are announced things should calm down. That's this Thursday starting at 7pm ET.

And the Modern Worship Album of the Year Nominees for the Second Quarter of 2011 are:

• Brenton Brown - Our God is Near
• Chris Clayton - Hope of Glory
• Brian Doerkson - Level Ground
• Aaron Gillespie - Anthem Song
• Illuminate - Come Home
• Parachute Band - Love Without Measure
• Kristian Stanfill - Mountains Move
• Vineyard UK Worship - Creator: New Worship from Northern Ireland
• Worth Dying For - Love Riot 

Worth Dying for and Parachute Band both are multi-category nominees both here and in Rock, so things are sure to get interesting next year.

Speaking of things getting interesting, earlier today while scheduling PVA posts something misfired and the Pop post accidentally published ahead of time. I caught it in a few minutes and it is scheduled to be posted at the appropriate time on Thursday Night. I deleted the post on twitter, but if early word got out, please keep it under wraps until the official announcement. Thank You. 

Night Beat Rewind: February 2011

One of the nice things about a short month is that you can wrap up some of your posts with plenty of time to spare. Such is the case this February. Music is traditionally released on a Tuesday, and today is the Last Tuesday of the Month. It is also Washington's Birthday. The Second edition of Night Beat Rewind will be finished before the end of the month. Two Editions in one month. Progress.

As I said in my previous post, I use a best of 5 Emeralds rating system. For an explanation click here. If you don't see a release listed here, I either couldn't find sound files on Amazon or I did a full review of the release. So far this month I have managed to review The Civil Wars, Red, and Worth Dying For. A few more will be coming soon.

The Night Beat Rewind, Second Edition, for February 2011:

• Bethel Live, Be Lifted High, 3.5 Emeralds, (Modern Worship)
• Chris Clayton, Hope of Glory, 4.5 Emeralds, (Modern Worship)
• Brian Doerkson, Level Ground, 4 Emeralds, (Modern Worship)
• After Edmund, Times Have Changed, 4.25 Emeralds, (Pop, Dance, Rock)
• Jamie-Grace Harper, Hold Me, 4 Emeralds, (Pop) (D)
• Hawk Nelson, Crazy Love, 4.5 Emeralds, (Rock)
• Hawk Nelson, The Light Sides, 5 Emeralds (Rock/Acoustic)
• Hillsong United, Aftermath, 3.5 Emeralds, (Modern Worship)
• Canton Jones, Dominionaire, 5 Emeralds, (Hip Hop, Gospel)
• Martha's Trouble, Anchor Tattoo, 4 Emeralds, (Pop, Folk)
• Heath McNease, The House Always Wins, 3.75 Emeralds, (Pop, Folk)
• Overcome, The Great Campaign of Sabotage, 4 Emeralds, (Hard Rock)
• Parachute Band, Love Without Measure, 4.5 Emeralds, (Modern Worship, Rock)
• Propaganda, Art Ambidextrous, 3.5 Emeralds, (Hip Hop) 
• Stryper, The Covering, 5 Emeralds, (Hard Rock)
• Josh Wilson, See You, 4 Emeralds, (Pop) 

That concludes the second edition of Night Beat Rewind. We shall return with Edition Three in early April (March's release days are the 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th). Until then, happy listening.