The Home of the Platinum Vinyl Awards. Reviews of New CD releases, mostly CCM but also mainstream releases that may interest the Christian Music listener. Music News and Commentary, especially when there's a CCM connection.
And Left as Corinthians. Sorry. Couldn't resist the biblical pun there. Michigan Hard Rockers We Came as Romans released their second full length album Tuesday, and I doubt that anyone into CCM has ever heard of them.
The album, like TDWP, is hardcore, yet there are more clean vocals with these guys. The band doesn't consider itself a "Christian Band", yet fans of Christian music will find nothing to complain about. I know, wishful thinking.
The Track Listing:
Mis // Understanding
Everything As Named
What I Wish I Never Had
Cast The First Stone
The Way That We Have Been
A War Inside
Stay Inspired
Just Keep Breathing
Views that Never Cease, To Keep Me From Myself
What My Heart Held
I Can't make Your Decisions for You
Understanding What We've Grown To Be
Just going over the track titles tells you they've got more knowledge than the average band (ex. A War Inside, Cast The First Stone, I Can't Make Your Decisions for You). I like thesound of these guys. I'm going to give them 4.5 Emeralds for Understanding What We've Grown To Be. I still hope to have Amazon Links up soon for everybody, but right now it is more important for me to get out the reviews. I am convinced now that it is due to out of date browsers on the computer that I am using (Public Library right now until I get a new one for myself. I think the director is afraid to update his software).
Well that was fun. The Interview with a Character blog fest was a little something to stretch my writing muscles. I've known for a while that Melissa (the host) was doing a Zombie Apocalypse story, and while that wasn't what my forte was (One interview was historical fiction, and the other Sci-Fi/Action) we writers have to hang together, and it never hurts to get your work before as many eyes as possible.
What was amazing was how seamlessly my two works blended this time. Who woulda thunk it? CCM and Zombies. Never in a million years? How about a year. Metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada just released its latest Tuesday. Entitled Dead Throne, the album is a Vast improvement, at least in my opinion, over their last CD. That one, an EP Themed around a Zombie Apocalypse, was a bit to Thrash for my tastes, and it suffered therefor in my review. This time around there are an abundance of what is termed Clean Vocals, and for someone who grew up on 80's metal, I like it more. You can make out the words. Even the growls are less gravelly than I remember last time around.
Since I am continuing to have blogger bugs, this will be a relatively short post. As to the nature of the bug my Amazon Associates widget is not working in the old interface, and since the updated interface isn't truly "live", it doesn't appear there either. Right now my favorites on the CD are Mammoth, My Questions, Kansas (instrumental), Holdfast and Pretenders. I hope to have the links problem straightened out early next week.
I gave the aforementioned Zombie EP3.75 Emeralds, and it just missed being in the Inaugural Platinum Vinyl Awards. This time around Prada is Platinum bound. Though I am not reall a thrash fan, this album rocks. I am giving it 4.75 Emeralds. Though it will have some tough competition, I think it fair to at least predict that it should be among the final seven in Hard Rock.
That's it for now. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.
NB: We at the Night Beat have access to some of the most cutting edge technology out there. Don't let it get around, but we have a Way-Back Machine. For this interview, we are going back to the "City" of Reno. I put that in quotes because ther's only six thousand or so in the Whole of Washoe County. Now this is a kind of scoop for bloggers everywhere. Getting a one on one interview with the Minister of War of the Republic of Ansdale during their War of Independence against The United States. Minister of War John Lee Anderson. General Anderson, thank you for having me here today.
JLA: If an interview with an Eastern Newspaper will help put pressure on Washington to let us go our own way, then it is worth it (NOTE: I told him I worked for a newspaper. It's easier than explaining a blog to someone in the 19th Century.)
NB: How shall I describe you to my readers? Western Pioneer?, Mexican War Veteran?, Father of His Country?
JLA: I think that 'A Loyal Servant of His Country' would suffice.
NB: Some would think that strange coming from someone currently at war against his former country.
JLA: That would depend on your definition of country. Since 1855 I have considered my country to be Dakota, and by extension, the West.
NB: 1855, that would be President Pierce.
JLA: Correct.
NB: A review of your military career reveals only one gap, that of the civil war. Some would accuse you of disloyalty by sitting out the war when you were needed.
JLA: If President Lincoln had ordered Fort Ansdale to joint the fight, then I would have complied. Dakota was far outside the theatre of war, and I was not going to risk the lives of my men in a regional squabble that we had no cause to involve ourselves in. The Decision did make me many enemies, though.
NB: One of those enemies, George Armstrong Custer, recently met his untimely, though some would say not entirely unexpected end at Little Big Horn. Now History records the actions of Crazy Horse being responsible to the victory, but you have a different view.
JLA: Crazy Horse was involved, but I think it is unconscionable that the role of the Ansdale Native Cavalry was not recognized. Without their and various other Republican Troops, Custer and his troops would have triumphed, which would have been very bad for our cause. I know it is uncouth to feel no sorrow over the passing of a former soldier in arms. Perhaps if he was less of an ass I would.
NB: Back to the former Civil War. Since you are a native Kentuckian and having married a Southern Belle who was cousin to Jeff Davis himself, one might infer that your sympathies were with the South.
JLA: And they would be wrong. I am also brother to Robert Anderson of Fort Sumter fame. As to Susan, she was the loyal Army Wife and followed my choice. Sauf Asir was even used as a stop on the Underground Railroad, with the full approval of Mistress Davis (NOTE: Sauf Asir is the Davis Family Plantation near Mobile, Alabama)
NB: What is your personal view on Slavery?
JLA: I am glad it is gone, but I am still convinced that the price was too high. If we could have been just a bit more patient, I am convinced that agricultural machines such as the McCormick Reaper would have cause Slavery to wither and die in a couple of years.
NB: So your view on the Freedman's Bureau call for "40 Acres and a Mule"?
JLA: It is misguided. I am glad it has not been official policy for Lincoln, Johnson or Grant. You can not rectify a wrong by creating another wrong. We have already proved that with the so-called Reconstruction. The Rise of The Klan can be directly linked to the misguided attempts of the Radical Republicans to make the "South Pay" for the war.
NB: Some feel that the last war settled the issue of secession forever?
JLA: I disagree. All it settled was slavery. And the fact that the side with the most guns will most likely win. We only have a few States out west, mostly we have territories. Until war broke out, we had a desire to be admitted to the Union as a State. If we were not in the Union, how can we be faulted for leaving it?
NB: For the sake of my readers, what are your reasons for separation?
JLA: There are many, but I will mention the most eggregious. While the people of Alaska should have been admitted to all the rights and privileges afforded Citizens of The United States ten years ago, they had not even been afforded the most basic of civil laws. We had to act. Now we have war.
NB: The war is now entering its sixth year, already two years longer than The Confederacy held out. They say there is no end in sight. What is the secret to your success?
JLA: Success only comes with victory. The secret to our resistance lies in the fact that the Federals have been unable to control the field of battle. We are able to attack quickly and then withdraw into the frontier. It has been extremely disheartening to the Federals
NB: Is that all?
JLA: No? We have also gambled on new weapons. Our artillery has been assigned the Gatling Gun, and our navy has purchased a new invention which is called the torpedo. We are extremely pleased with the tests on this weapon and are eager to see how it performs in an engagement.
NB: It is interesting that you have used the word gamble, because I see that your middle son Robert is courting Leah Quantrill, who is quite the card shark.
JLA: And quite the Cavalry Officer. Yes, Yes, and the Daughter of Satan. Susan is still not quite sure how to act around her, but Robert is smitten with her, and she with him. One one of her trips through she gave me some plans for a series of gambling and music halls that she thinks would liven things up here. I admire her initiative, but I doubt that sort of business would amount to anything.
NB: In closing, I heard your daughter Katherine recently got married. Congratulations.
JLA: Susan and I are extremely proud. I think we'll have to wait a while for any grandchildren, because Katherine is happy at Fort Republic in Alaska and Major Morgan is commanding the First Cavalry at Wyoming. Susan did an extremely fine job transforming Fort Republic into Mobile, except for the weather.
Introductory Note: I am writing this post as a participant in the "Interview With A Character" Blog fest put on by Melissa at The Undeveloped Story. I asked her if I could post two and she said it was okay. Here is number one.
NB: We at The Night Beat are primarily concerned with music, but sometimes an opportunity comes along that you just can't pass up, even if you have to stray outside your comfort zone. Talking to us today via Skype from her office in Split, Croatia is Susan Bradford, President and CEO of Thames Electronics. Miss Bradford, thank you for taking some of your time to talk to The Night Beat.
SB: My pleasure
NB: The Computer world, as well as the emerging world of Social Media is increasingly a youth movement. Being the CEO of a major corporation at 35, you must be fitting in quite well.
SB: It's 29, but, yes, I am doing quite well.
NB: Pardon me for correcting you, but my notes say that you were born on July 15, 1976. That would make you 35.
SB: Never press a Lady on her real age. As to your original question. The Social Media landscape is dominated by Facebook and Mark Zuckerburg is only 27, so even I feel like a fossil at times.
NB: Recently shock waves went through the tech community with the announcement by Steve Jobs that hew was stepping down as the CEO of Apple. Without sounding overly crass, let me ask "is this good news for Thames?"
SB: I should bloody well hope so. (Laughs). Seriously though, all of us at Thames Electronics wish Mister Jobs only good health. I'd be lost if it weren't for my iPhone or iPad. I only wish we had come up with them.
NB: But is it good news for Thames?
SB: I don't think it has any effect. Thames makes supercomputers, so I don't think we compete against each other. Still, I would like to have invented the iPod.
NB: On to another subject. From the mid 90' to September of 2009 the major cities of Europe were terrorized by a cat burglar...
SB: I think terrorized is highly prejudicial
NB: Your answer begs a follow up. Since Lioness' exploits seem to have ended around the same time as your auto accident. Are You Lioness?
SB: It is a remarkable coincidence, but that is all.
NB: On another topic, would it be appropriate to call you the Six Million Dollar Woman?
SB: I Bloody well hope not. I am worth 75 Million Pounds, that should be good in dollars as well.
NB: Actually it's over 100 Million Dollars. I was actually referring to a 1970's era Science Fiction Show about a man whose life was saved after a horrific accident by turning him into a cyborg.
SB: Simply preposterous, I don't know where you get your information.
NB: I talked to a General Jonathan Knox in Chicago.
SB: Since you talked to The General. It's closer to the Billion Dollar Woman when you figure in all the prototypes.
NB: Any Superhuman abilities?
SB: None that have appeared so far, but I haven't exactly tried to do anything special.
NB: Not trying to pull any semi's?
SB: No.
NB: No accidental revelations?
SB: Did I send my date flying through a plate glass window when all I wanted to do was slap his face? No. Sound's like fun though. Except for not needing glasses and not tiring as easy, things are kind of normal.
NB: On a final note, I see that now that Kate Middleton has married Prince William you have moved to the top of the Beautiful Brit List. Congratulations.
SB: Thanks. I don't want to seem to vain, but being a cyborg does have its privileges. Since the operation I went from a size 4 to a size 2. Daddy was on the phone from London as soon as the list came out. He's already got several dates lined up for me as soon as I hit British Soil. Suddenly I love Croatia.
Just want to give my loyal readers a heads up. Your Favorite DJ is also a writer and aspiring author. Tomorrow this blog will publish two posts as part of the "Interview with a Character" blog fest hosted by Melissa at The Undeveloped Story. These Characters are as much part of me as my love for music. If you are also a writer and can crank out one of these interviews quickly enough, go to her blog and sign up, she would love to have more join up.
In the meantime I invite you to read the interviews that I have done with the most important man in the American West, General John Lee Anderson, and the most elusive cat burglar on the European Continent, Lioness.
I'm still staying up on tunes, and I am currently listening to the new releases of The Devil Wears Prada and We Came As Romans. I hope to have a review of both CD's up on site soon.
I Wanted to post this as soon as possible, and say Welcome Back Amy. Evanescence Self-Titled new release is coming out October 11, and the 2012 Platinum Vinyl Awards Eligibility Starts October 1. Based on the video, I'm just saying, you could be looking at the 2012 Rock Album of the Year. Enjoy. And once more, WELCOME BACK AMY.
We are here at the Penultimate Edition of Night Beat Rewind for the 2011 Platinum Vinyl Awards. In case anyone is unclear on the word, that means next-to-last. Now remember my eligibility year is October 1-September 30, smack in the middle of the Grammy's (September 1, 2010-September 30,2011) and the Doves (November 1, 2010 -October 31, 2011).
Since I've been picking up new readers through Triberr and other sources, I think it's time to review my Emerald Rating System. As regards to regular music listening anything worth listening to on a regular basis will be scored 3 Emeralds or Higher. Now with regards to the Platinum Vinyl Awards, the bar is set slightly higher. PVA inclusion begins with 4 Emeralds, anything lower than that will not be considered (If you use a star rating, The numbers stay the same). At the end of the Year of Eligibility the entries in each genre will be cut down to get to a "Final Round" which, in a perfect world, would be Seven Nominees, but it will be how it will. Last year some categories only had Two nominees for the entire year. The Basics are as follows.
5 Emeralds - In to the final round. (There will never be 7 5 Emerald albums in a year in any given category, trust me on this one).
4.75 Emeralds - Great chance of making the final 7
4.50 Emeralds - A Very Good Chance of Making the Finals
4.25 Emeralds - Do You Believe in Miracles?
4 Emeralds - The Lowest bar of inclusion in the original mix, but let's not get too giddy about your chances.
3.75 to 3 Emeralds - These aren't Platinum, but Bronze Silver and Gold are still nice metals.
2.75 Emeralds or Lower - Break out the Gong and the Shepherds Crook.
As always, we start with the ones that didn't make it and progress to the ones that did make the initial mix.
Blaze - Exposed 3.75 Emeralds
Patrick Ryan Clark - Where Would I Be 3.75 Emeralds
Bethany Dillon - Beautiful: The Hits Collection 3.75 Emeralds
Stellar Kart - A Whole New World EP 3.75 Emeralds
Lindsay McCaul - If it Leads Me Back 3.75 Emeralds
Brother's McClurg - Alive 3.75 Emeralds
Sandi Patty - The Best of Sandi Patty 3.5 Emeralds
Sainthood Reps - Monoculture 3.75 Emeralds
Aaron Shust - This is What We Believe 3.75 Emeralds
Yes I know it seems like a copout with all the 3.75's (and no complaints from the Sandi lovers out there). My opinion is that these just missed. Still not so sure on Stellar Kart. I know they're doing Disney Covers here but this might be a parody album. On to the best for the month of August.
Veggie Tales (feat Moriah Peters) - Songs for a Princess 4.5 Emeralds
Warr Acres - Warr Acres 4.5 Emeralds
Your Chance to Die - Suscitatio Somnus 4.25 Emeralds
** Forever Jones is being passed along at the same rating as the original album Last Year.
Links in this post go to my original review. In the case of Cindy Cruse Ratcliff, scroll down to the bottom of the linked post, which is for Darlene Zschech.
Am I glad I finally got everything fixed. As always, I am Awaiting Your Reply.
