Night Beat Rewind: June 2011

It feels good to finally get caught up. Now I can get on to the third quarter Platinum Vinyl Award eligibility. I would like to thank the Christian Music industry for shutting down releases during the 4th of July and making this easy. Actually, they did shut down, but I'm sure they didn't have me in mind when they did.

We will stick with the two list method this time around because, well, it seems to work for me. First up are the releases that failed to make the grade. Basically that is anything under 4 Emeralds, so don't despair. We've got to draw the line somewhere or else we don't have an awards ceremony, we have pee-wee soccer. (You know, everybody wins, everybody is special, that kind of stuff.)

Non PVA Eligible Releases, June 2011

• Coming Alive, Casey Darnell, 3.75 Emeralds
• Platinum Praise 2012, Maranatha Praise Band, 3.5 Emeralds
• K is for Karaoke, Relient K, 3.75 Emeralds

It was a short list this time around, and I like that. Nobody likes it when you have to say no, but such is life. This time the exclusions were easy. Maranatha Praise Band kind of set themselves up for a fall here. Maybe some of the individual praise songs went platinum, but the album...Not so much. Let's go with aluminum and be done with it. (I was going to say tin but that would be cruel). Casey Darnell is good, not great, and modern worship is a really crowded field. It was last year.
The toughest call was Relient K. Maybe it was just the word Karaoke that set me off. Maybe it's just that five guys should never be caught dead singing "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun". Now this is no slam on Cindi Lauper. Personally, in the battle of 1980's Pop Queens, I take her over Madonna any day. (Probably puts me in the minority, but I'm used to that. Never thought Madonna could sing).

Enough of the 80's Music Commentary. Time to get down to business.

PVA Eligible Releases, June 2011

• Leveler, August Burns Red, 4.25 Emeralds
• With Shivering Hearts We Wait, Blindside, 4.25 Emeralds
• The Road, Tricia Brock, 4 Emeralds
• Dream with Me, Jackie Evancho, 5 Emeralds
• Your Sparkling Death Cometh, Falling Up, 4.5 Emeralds
• Perfect Love, Ronnie Freeman, 4 Emeralds
• On Fire, Peter Furler, 4.25 Emeralds
• Freedom Calling, Jake Hamilton, 4 Emeralds
• Easyforyoutosay, Hello Kelly, 4 Emeralds
• Dwell, Aaron Keyes, 4.5 Emeralds
• Plain and Simple, Crystal Lewis, 4.5 Emeralds
• Live in Concert, Manafest, 4.25 Emeralds
• All Things Bright and Beautiful, Owl City, 4.5 Emeralds
• Nothing Is Impossible, Planetshakers, 4 Emeralds
• Black & White, Royal Tailor, 4.25 Emeralds
• Never Odd or Even, Shonlock, 4.5 Emeralds
• Live at the Masquerade, Thousand Foot Krutch, 4.5 Emeralds
• The Journey, Stuart Townend, 4.25 Emeralds

Where to begin this time around? Let's start with a pleasant surprise. Jackie Evancho really wasn't on my radar until it showed up on a list of Christian releases. I hadn't heard any buzz about it being a Christian Album, and the cover showed a little girl. Then I listened to the album. There is a reason that it's the only 5 Emerald release on this list. It's that good. Now I don't know the lifespan of an Operatic Soprano, but, considering She is only ELEVEN YEARS OLD!!!, I would think that she's got a few decades before someone else comes along. It's got to be less cutthroat than pop.

Shonlock. I had heard the name but never listened to the music. I must say I am impressed. This is some smooth R&B, mixed with some awesome hip-hop, and even a little Krunk thrown in for the Family Force Five Fans out there. A must buy. (And please, buy it here through the link to Amazon. The night beat thanks you.)

Any fan of the Newsboys will not be disappointed with On Fire. In fact, Peter Furler's solo may make you more bummed out that he left the band. To each his own. I kind of like the DC Talk sound now that Michael Tait took over.

There. I did it. I'm caught up, except for a few releases in July. As always, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Related Posts:

• A Tale of Two Tricias
• I'll Pick Even...And Odd

Night Beat Rewind: May 2011

Things are a bit backlogged at the offices of The Night Beat, as the title of this post reveals. Here it is July, and I'm doing the May rewind. Partly technical issues and partly staffing problems (one man job) are the reasons. We should be up to speed soon.

I'm going to try something new with this edition of Night Beat Rewind. Instead of putting out one long list of all the releases, I am going to split the list into two. First the also rans will be listed, and then we shall list the Platinum Vinyl Award eligible releases for the month. This will allow the reader to quickly scan the cream of the crop as well as the releases that he can avoid or (if he chooses) take a chance on.

Close, but No Nomination

• The Live Encounter, Tonya Baker, 3.5 Emeralds
• Manuka Honey, Ceili Rain, 3.75 Emeralds
• 37, Christ For The Nations Worship, 3.5 Emeralds
• Truer Living With a Youthful Vengeance, Dynasty, 3.75 Emeralds

Now I want to remind you that there is nothing wrong with 3.5 or 3.75 Emeralds. Using the typical star rating system of 5 stars, some might generously label them 4 of 5. These may not be Grammy Worthy, but most people would find them quite enjoyable. They are Just Not the Cream of the Crop.

The Cream Also Rises

• Anthem Lights, Anthem Lights, 4.5 Emeralds
• Separation, Ark of the Covenant, 4 Emeralds
• Listen to the Sound, Building 429, 4.5 Emeralds
• The Love Album, Kim Burrell, 4 Emeralds
• Before There Was, The Chariot, 4 Emeralds (Note: This is a 3 CD Box set, the rating is for the entire, overall feel)
• One Girl, Katelynne Cox, 4 Emeralds (D)
• Beautiful Ashes, Eowyn, 4.5 Emeralds
• Love is Taking Over, Dakota Green, 4.5 Emeralds (D)
• Weights and Measures, Hyland, 4.5 Emeralds (D)
• Captivated, Nicole C. Mullen, 4 Emeralds
• One True God, Newsong, 4.25 Emeralds
• Come and Drink, Matthew Reed, 4.25 Emeralds
• Light Makes a Way, Remedy Drive, 4.25 Emeralds
• Tidal Wave, Rootdown, 4.25 Emeralds
• My Heart Says Yes, Troy Sneed, 4 Emeralds
• Water Colours, Swimming With Dolphins, 4.25 Emeralds (D)
• Home, Nathan Tasker, 4.5 Emeralds
• In The Name of Love, Christina Tarlev, 4.5 Emeralds (D)
• Blacklight, Tedashii, 4.75 Emeralds
• Angel and Chanelle, Trinitee 5:7, 4.5 Emeralds
• As for Me and My House, John Waller, 4.25 Emeralds
• You Can Be Loved, Beth Williams, 4.25 Emeralds

(D) Indicates either a True Debut (First record ever), Full Length Debut (Previously only released an EP) or a Major Label Debut (previously independent). Eligible for Best New Artist in the Platinum Vinyl Awards. Check out these May releases. You'll be glad you did. As always, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Related Posts:

• Review: Weights and Measures
• Review: Home
• Review: Anthem Lights
• Review: One Girl

We're (Number) ONE. Happy 1rst Birthday to The Night Beat

The Night Beat is a year old today. On July 8, 2010 The Night Beat posted its first music post. The First post was a July 4th Post which I reworked this year. Due to technical issues with Blogger, once you publish a post, you can't republish it at another time. So even though I changed the date and time of publishing, all it did was change the date.

When I first started, I admit I was afflicted with delusions of fame and fortune. That hasn't happened...YET. It has been fun, however, and I have learned a lot along the way. As we begin our second year, I encourage all of you to become an active part of the The Night Beat. Just like a DJ's radio show of old, callers, or here, commenter's, are its lifeblood. We are in the thick of Summer, Festival Season is upon us, and things are a bit frantic. All that plus a one year bit of updating. We'll, all I will say is be patient, it will all be worth it.

If you've been with us from the start, Thank You. If you've just found us, I think a bit of a Night Beat Primer is in order. I invite you to look around, check out the articles, comment and follow. Take your time, but here are a few tips.

• It's always best to start a story at the beginning, and this blog is no different. Read my introduction, What is the Night Beat? and my discussion of the Christian Fringe.
• As you read you will find many references to the Platinum Vinyl Awards. The PVA's are a creation of The Night Beat in order to highlight the Best In Christian Music, as well as mainstream acts that have (or should have) a significant Christian Following. While things are well underway for the 2nd Annual Platinum Vinyl Awards, which should occur sometime next April, and barring an extraordinary rise in operating expenses, will be a cyber event this year as well, with no physical award given. Follow the links to read about the First Awards. Because the process of intra-linking posts will be lengthy, I recommend that you use the Children's Music post as your base, since it is the first to have the entire awards linked within it.
• Finally, if you are really new to the night beat, I encourage you to check out my series on the Greatest Christian Albums Ever? my take on a book done by CCM Magazine in 2001 in which they picked the 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music. While I will be continuing to update the articles as my research on the list is a work in progress, the entire series is intra-linked, so navigation is seamless.

To everyone who has found me and continued with me, Thank You. To the Night Beat Newbie, I say welcome. Look, experience, follow, comment. As always, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Happy Republic(an)... er...Independence Day

Today is the 235th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, also known as Right Wing Extremist Republican Recruitment Day. If you don't believe me, believe U.S. News and World Report. Hey, If you can't trust Harvard, who can you trust. In related news, today is also the first anniversary of the first post of The WENC Night Beat.  Coincidence, I think not. I wonder which event gets liberals more perturbed. Back to Harvard University's study for a moment. I just thought the reason that I, when I first was able to vote, registered as a Republican and cast that vote for Reagan in 1984 was because I was raised correctly by my parents. Who knew it was all caused by my being taken to an Independence Day Parade to Celebrate our Bicentennial (That's 200 years for those who went to public school) in 1976.

If you know anything about our history, the study shouldn't be a surprise. In fact, the early celebrations of our independence were a religious, not secular, holiday. To quote John Adams "It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.  It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore."

So as you go to the Tea Party recruitment parades held throughout our glorious Republic this July 4th, let us try not to forget WHO the founding fathers thought was REALLY responsible for our independence.