Welcome back to the latest edition of Music Video Monday. It's October 1, 2012, and that means that we have begun the First Quarter of the 2013 (or 4th) Platinum Vinyl Awards. At least I can say that as the First Quarter of 2013 begins I am on the 4th Quarter of 2012.
We begin with a band which will be nominated in several categories, not the least of which will be comeback of the year. If you consider The Dawn of Grace (2008), which was a Christmas Release, it's been four years. For the non seasonal studio release Divine Discontent (2002), you saw that right, it has been TEN YEARS. Either way comeback is appropriate. This is Sooner Than Later from the just released Lost in Transition by Alternative legends Sixpence None The Richer.
This next one is a two-fer. Both Group 1 Crew and Chris August recently released new studio albums. Deciding to be extremely nice to us here at The Night Beat, Group 1 Crew released this video He Said (Feat. Chris August) from Fearless.
An Epic No Less is a promising new band, and this is Mercy Light from Echo of Love.
Finally we conclude this edition of Music Video Monday with the sophomore release of The Museum, which was entitled My Only Rescue. This is Love Will Find You off of that album.
That concludes this edition of Music Video Monday. We will continue with our Fourth Quarter Releases next week. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.
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.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Friday, September 28, 2012
Flashback Friday: The Fab 3 - PFR
Joel, Patrick, and Mark. Maybe it doesn't roll off the tongue as easy as John, Paul, George and Ringo, but that's not to say that this trio isn't in the same rarefied air For those not up to date on things, that foursome is The Beatles, the true kings of Rock and Roll (Sorry Elvis). Joel, Patrick and Mark are Joel Hanson (Guitar), Patrick Andrew (Bass), and Mark Nash (Drums) - also known as PFR. (A little side note: The initials stand for Pray For Rain, which is the actual name of the band. However, before they even got started, they were sued and had to change the name to PFR. More on that later.
Having grown up on both The Beatles (as well as the 70's version, Paul McCartney and Wings), and then experiencing PFR, my mind immediately made a connection. Now the analogy isn't perfect, but there are enough stylistic similarities to brand PFR the "Christian Beatles". They are a whole lot more similar than Love Song, in my opinion. So if The Beatles started in the U.S. instead of the U.K., and they could only round up three members, they would probably sound like PFR.
Like I said, the band was originally called Pray For Rain. Did you know that there was already a band by that name? Yeah, I didn't either, and probably neither did this trio. The other Pray For Rain, the one with high priced lawyers, they do nothing but do movie soundtracks for movies like Sid and Nancy (1986). Alex Cox is usually the director of these films.
During their brief career they put out four albums:
And finally we end with Wonder Why.
These videos are from their 12 in 2012 "Reunion" Tour. I think you'll agree that they still have got it, and I think a full reunion is in order.
Apart form this work with Deitiphobia and other bands, Nash is also married to Leigh Bingham Nash, (Leigh Nash) of Sixpence None The Richer, which will be covered in another post.
That concludes the first installment of The Real Alternative on Flashback Friday. Next Friday we return to the Commonwealth of CCM when our subject is Delirious? Until next we meet, I am Awaiting Your Reply.
Having grown up on both The Beatles (as well as the 70's version, Paul McCartney and Wings), and then experiencing PFR, my mind immediately made a connection. Now the analogy isn't perfect, but there are enough stylistic similarities to brand PFR the "Christian Beatles". They are a whole lot more similar than Love Song, in my opinion. So if The Beatles started in the U.S. instead of the U.K., and they could only round up three members, they would probably sound like PFR.
Like I said, the band was originally called Pray For Rain. Did you know that there was already a band by that name? Yeah, I didn't either, and probably neither did this trio. The other Pray For Rain, the one with high priced lawyers, they do nothing but do movie soundtracks for movies like Sid and Nancy (1986). Alex Cox is usually the director of these films.
During their brief career they put out four albums:
- Pray For Rain (1992)
- Goldie's Last Day (1993)
- Great Lengths (1994)
- Them (1996)
And finally we end with Wonder Why.
These videos are from their 12 in 2012 "Reunion" Tour. I think you'll agree that they still have got it, and I think a full reunion is in order.
Apart form this work with Deitiphobia and other bands, Nash is also married to Leigh Bingham Nash, (Leigh Nash) of Sixpence None The Richer, which will be covered in another post.
That concludes the first installment of The Real Alternative on Flashback Friday. Next Friday we return to the Commonwealth of CCM when our subject is Delirious? Until next we meet, I am Awaiting Your Reply.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Pilgrims Progress
A High School Girl Friend of mine (Yes, two words. We never were an item. There was a slim possibility of that, but I didn't have an answer to a very pointed question from her. That is another story, one I will not bore you with). Anyway, this friend posted on Facebook that she was looking for a clarinet for one of her kids who was taking lessons. Now that got me thinking, despite not playing anything but a tonette as a kid (though I do own a Harmonica, which I can play badly), Clarinets are fine, but what about useful instruments like a cello, violin, or harp.
Lest you think I've gone completely off my rocker, such was the family life of Annie, Alex, Benjamin, Camille, Gretchen, Jeremiah, Bill and Robin Wolaver, known collectively as the Annie Moses Band. Bill and Robin are the parents of this family band, as well as the Composer/Arrangers. Collectively they are:
's material on Amazon and help support The Night Beat at the same time by clicking here
I mention those two bands purposefully, as AMB rose to fame on the basis of Christmas Music. The older kids all went to Juilliard, and the younger ones are all pre-admitted I am sure. I have a pet peeve about starting Christmas too early, and that is really acting up this time as Jeremy Camp released a Christmas Album IN SEPTEMBER! However, just so you know what I'm talking about, here is a link to a post which contains an AMB Christmas Song.
I love this album. Now close friends know that I have a wide range of musical tastes (except for Country and Southern Gospel, I detest those, though there are exceptions. Folk, Bluegrass, and Southern Rock tend to blur the boundaries enough to tame my gag reflex.). There are really no bad songs on this album, and I am giving it a just short of perfection 4.75 Emeralds, not on any flaw, because it is almost perfect. I just wish they had cut loose on a few more songs. Since AOL Music is streaming it this week, it has been on repeat constantly. (Except when I have been listening to As I Lay Dying, Holly Starr and others. The Night Beat Must Go on).
I'm going to finish up with a few live videos of AMB Songs. First up is the "title song" Poor Wayfaring Pilgrim
Next up is a little more haunting. And Alex on lead vocal with Road Well Traveled (A Cautionary Tale).
And finally, an all instrumental jam session, with Blarney Pilgrim.I hope you have enjoyed this as much as I have. Writing while listening to the music makes it all the better. Tomorrow we will be going a different way altogether, as Flashback Friday will be going to Alternative Trio PFR. But perhaps not, as what can be more of an Alternative sound in CCM than Annie Moses Band. Remember to order through amazon by clicking on the link. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.
Lest you think I've gone completely off my rocker, such was the family life of Annie, Alex, Benjamin, Camille, Gretchen, Jeremiah, Bill and Robin Wolaver, known collectively as the Annie Moses Band. Bill and Robin are the parents of this family band, as well as the Composer/Arrangers. Collectively they are:
- Annie (Lead Vocals, Violin)
- Alex (Lead Vocals, Viola)
- Benjamin (Cello)
- Camille (Harp, Keyboard, Vocals)
- Gretchen (Violin, Mandolin, Guitar, Vocals)
- Jeremiah (Guitar)
's material on Amazon and help support The Night Beat at the same time by clicking hereI mention those two bands purposefully, as AMB rose to fame on the basis of Christmas Music. The older kids all went to Juilliard, and the younger ones are all pre-admitted I am sure. I have a pet peeve about starting Christmas too early, and that is really acting up this time as Jeremy Camp released a Christmas Album IN SEPTEMBER! However, just so you know what I'm talking about, here is a link to a post which contains an AMB Christmas Song.
I love this album. Now close friends know that I have a wide range of musical tastes (except for Country and Southern Gospel, I detest those, though there are exceptions. Folk, Bluegrass, and Southern Rock tend to blur the boundaries enough to tame my gag reflex.). There are really no bad songs on this album, and I am giving it a just short of perfection 4.75 Emeralds, not on any flaw, because it is almost perfect. I just wish they had cut loose on a few more songs. Since AOL Music is streaming it this week, it has been on repeat constantly. (Except when I have been listening to As I Lay Dying, Holly Starr and others. The Night Beat Must Go on).
I'm going to finish up with a few live videos of AMB Songs. First up is the "title song" Poor Wayfaring Pilgrim
Next up is a little more haunting. And Alex on lead vocal with Road Well Traveled (A Cautionary Tale).
And finally, an all instrumental jam session, with Blarney Pilgrim.I hope you have enjoyed this as much as I have. Writing while listening to the music makes it all the better. Tomorrow we will be going a different way altogether, as Flashback Friday will be going to Alternative Trio PFR. But perhaps not, as what can be more of an Alternative sound in CCM than Annie Moses Band
. Remember to order through amazon by clicking on the link. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Music Video Monday: Love Is All
Welcome to an all new edition of Music Video Monday. It feels good to be back to the usual lighthearted posts, with White Collar Sideshow kind of dominating last week. I believe in their message of facing and confronting addictions, and so, despite the tough message, it needed to be shared. Plus it is some awesome Industrial Music.
We have four videos this time around, as we continue with Fourth Quarter Videos. We begin with Je'kob Washington and Love Is All, from his Faith EP.
From Hip Hop/Rap, we move on to Alternative and House of Heroes. This is Touch This Light from Cold Hard Want.
Stephen Christian of Anberlin has a Sythpop/Alternative Side Project called Anchor and Braille. This is Find Me from the just released album The Quiet Life.
And finally, we move into Electronica for real, with British DJ Andy Hunter. This is Spiral from his recent EP Glow.
That concludes this edition of Music Video Monday. Thank you to all my lurkers, readers and followers. Remember you can always keep the beat going by following me on Twitter or Facebook. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.
We have four videos this time around, as we continue with Fourth Quarter Videos. We begin with Je'kob Washington and Love Is All, from his Faith EP.
From Hip Hop/Rap, we move on to Alternative and House of Heroes. This is Touch This Light from Cold Hard Want.
Stephen Christian of Anberlin has a Sythpop/Alternative Side Project called Anchor and Braille. This is Find Me from the just released album The Quiet Life.
And finally, we move into Electronica for real, with British DJ Andy Hunter. This is Spiral from his recent EP Glow.
That concludes this edition of Music Video Monday. Thank you to all my lurkers, readers and followers. Remember you can always keep the beat going by following me on Twitter or Facebook. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Flashback Friday: Necessary Fear - Deitiphobia
The Industrial Revolution begins today. This is the second of three rotating subjects in my all redesigned Flashback Friday. Last week was The Commonwealth of CCM, where I am tackling bands that originate in the British Commonwealth of Nations. Next week is "A Real Alternative", which will tackle the rise to prominence of the Alternative Music Scene.
This weeks topic is "The Industrial Revolution", where I will tell you about the explosion in the nineties which brought Industrial Music, along with its siblings Techno, Synthpop, Trance, and Ambient, to the Christian Music World.
The 60's and 70's gave CCM the Jesus Music Era. The 80's brought Arena Rock and Heavy Metal as well as the birth of the Alternative Scene. As the 90's began everything old became new again. Suddenly Christian Musicians discovered an instrument long used in the Mainstream Scene. That instrument was Robert Moog's Modular Synthesizer of 1965. The Industrial Revolution began.
Robert Moog may be the Father of Techno, but the fathers of Christian Industrial would be Wally Shaw and Brent Stackhouse. Together they founded Donderfliegen, which supposedly means Darn That Fly. They released their debut demo Digital Priests in 1990. Deciding to bring their Christian Faith to the forefront, they changed their name soon afterward to Deitiphobia, which means Fear of God. They released their Self Titled album in 1991 and Stackhouse left soon afterward. He brought his wife Sheri into the band for Keyboards and Vocals and things really took off afterward. It was a move successfully made by Skillet founder John Cooper when he brought Korey on board (for Keyboards and Vocals as well). Clean (1994) was the first album with the new lineup, which included live set guitarist Kevin Gutierrez (aka Kevin 131 of the band Aleixa). By the time their last album would be put out Lo:Fi vs Sci:Fi (1999), the band consisted of the Shaws and Wil Foster. There aren't any videos, but I pulled up an audio of Clean from Youtube, and here it is.
Considering all you need is a synthesizer, Techno is the easiest genre to create side-projects to indulge your creative side. (Skillet was itself a side project). Deitiphobia created Massivivid, which was more of a traditional synth-rock band, consisting of six members. The Deitiphobia trio was assisted in this case by Bob Carlton on Bass, John Hogan on Drums, and Tom Wilson on Guitar. Another Youtube Audio, this time of Massivivid and Flesh Wound, which came from Brightblur. From time to time the Shaw's were assisted by Mark Nash, former drummer for PFR and husband to Leigh Nash of Sixpence None The Richer. They are also credited with "discovering" Joey Belleville of The Echoing Green. All these bands will be featured in a future Flashback Friday, and when they do, this post will be updated with links.
I gravitated very quickly to Industrial and its siblings, actually about as quick as I embraced Metal. It seems as I get older, I get Harder, at least musically speaking.
We wil slow things down a bit next week, as our subject will be alternative legend PFR. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.
This weeks topic is "The Industrial Revolution", where I will tell you about the explosion in the nineties which brought Industrial Music, along with its siblings Techno, Synthpop, Trance, and Ambient, to the Christian Music World.
The 60's and 70's gave CCM the Jesus Music Era. The 80's brought Arena Rock and Heavy Metal as well as the birth of the Alternative Scene. As the 90's began everything old became new again. Suddenly Christian Musicians discovered an instrument long used in the Mainstream Scene. That instrument was Robert Moog's Modular Synthesizer of 1965. The Industrial Revolution began.
Robert Moog may be the Father of Techno, but the fathers of Christian Industrial would be Wally Shaw and Brent Stackhouse. Together they founded Donderfliegen, which supposedly means Darn That Fly. They released their debut demo Digital Priests in 1990. Deciding to bring their Christian Faith to the forefront, they changed their name soon afterward to Deitiphobia, which means Fear of God. They released their Self Titled album in 1991 and Stackhouse left soon afterward. He brought his wife Sheri into the band for Keyboards and Vocals and things really took off afterward. It was a move successfully made by Skillet founder John Cooper when he brought Korey on board (for Keyboards and Vocals as well). Clean (1994) was the first album with the new lineup, which included live set guitarist Kevin Gutierrez (aka Kevin 131 of the band Aleixa). By the time their last album would be put out Lo:Fi vs Sci:Fi (1999), the band consisted of the Shaws and Wil Foster. There aren't any videos, but I pulled up an audio of Clean from Youtube, and here it is.
Considering all you need is a synthesizer, Techno is the easiest genre to create side-projects to indulge your creative side. (Skillet was itself a side project). Deitiphobia created Massivivid, which was more of a traditional synth-rock band, consisting of six members. The Deitiphobia trio was assisted in this case by Bob Carlton on Bass, John Hogan on Drums, and Tom Wilson on Guitar. Another Youtube Audio, this time of Massivivid and Flesh Wound, which came from Brightblur. From time to time the Shaw's were assisted by Mark Nash, former drummer for PFR and husband to Leigh Nash of Sixpence None The Richer. They are also credited with "discovering" Joey Belleville of The Echoing Green. All these bands will be featured in a future Flashback Friday, and when they do, this post will be updated with links.
I gravitated very quickly to Industrial and its siblings, actually about as quick as I embraced Metal. It seems as I get older, I get Harder, at least musically speaking.
We wil slow things down a bit next week, as our subject will be alternative legend PFR. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Forget The Carnival, Stay for the Sideshow
I love tooting my own horn. I know I should act more humble, but if I don't do it, who will? The Bible may say "Love your neighbour as you love yourself", but that presupposes that you do indeed love yourself.
My reason for patting myself on the back? Being smarter than Amazon. Musically astute is more precise. While listening to the new releases I came across a band I had never heard of before. White Collar Sideshow. Now that isn't news in and of itself. I'm not as quick in discovering new acts as I would like to be. If I have never heard of a band before I tend to make a mental note of the genre it is listed as and make my decisions based on that. Amazon listed The Witchunt
as being Hard Rock and Metal, so I made a note as to TDWP, Wolves at the Gate, and so forth.
This is not a Hard Rock/Heavy Metal album, not in the least. And that made me pleasantly surprised. You see, I am starting a new Flashback Friday post this week subtitled The Industrial Revolution. My first thought was "This is Cult of Jester" and there were tones of Deitiphobia as well, which is my first blog post on the subject. (The Deitiphobia link wont be live until Friday at 6 pm ET). So I went to the WCS Facebook Page (be prepared for some Halloween Style imagery). Yes, they label themselves as Industrial. Score!
This is the video preview for The WitcHunt
Meet The Faceless Woman
And finally, the Official Music Video for Black Heart Hearse.
The band is all about hidden addictions, and bringing them out into the open and confronting them. It is not for the faint of heart. I am thrilled that there is someone out there making some great Industrial Music. Though its heyday ended at the turn of the century, it is still some awesome music. And to combine it with such hard hitting subjects.
I am giving The WitcHunt a nearly perfect 4.75 Emeralds and guaranteeing it a spot in this years Platinum Vinyl Awards, though in the Dance/Electronica/Techno category, where Industrial would naturally be found (Techno, not dance). A little early Halloween present from The Night Beat. Until Flashback Friday, I am Awaiting Your Reply.
My reason for patting myself on the back? Being smarter than Amazon. Musically astute is more precise. While listening to the new releases I came across a band I had never heard of before. White Collar Sideshow. Now that isn't news in and of itself. I'm not as quick in discovering new acts as I would like to be. If I have never heard of a band before I tend to make a mental note of the genre it is listed as and make my decisions based on that. Amazon listed The Witchunt
as being Hard Rock and Metal, so I made a note as to TDWP, Wolves at the Gate, and so forth.This is not a Hard Rock/Heavy Metal album, not in the least. And that made me pleasantly surprised. You see, I am starting a new Flashback Friday post this week subtitled The Industrial Revolution. My first thought was "This is Cult of Jester" and there were tones of Deitiphobia as well, which is my first blog post on the subject. (The Deitiphobia link wont be live until Friday at 6 pm ET). So I went to the WCS Facebook Page (be prepared for some Halloween Style imagery). Yes, they label themselves as Industrial. Score!
This is the video preview for The WitcHunt
Meet The Faceless Woman
And finally, the Official Music Video for Black Heart Hearse.
The band is all about hidden addictions, and bringing them out into the open and confronting them. It is not for the faint of heart. I am thrilled that there is someone out there making some great Industrial Music. Though its heyday ended at the turn of the century, it is still some awesome music. And to combine it with such hard hitting subjects.
I am giving The WitcHunt a nearly perfect 4.75 Emeralds and guaranteeing it a spot in this years Platinum Vinyl Awards, though in the Dance/Electronica/Techno category, where Industrial would naturally be found (Techno, not dance). A little early Halloween present from The Night Beat. Until Flashback Friday, I am Awaiting Your Reply.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Music Video Monday: Dead Man
Welcome back to our 4th Quarter Music Video Monday. There will be only one MVM this week, folks. Last week was special to clear out the Satellites and Sirens videos.
We begin our trip through the 4th Quarter Video Releases with Wolves at the Gate, this is the Official Music Video for Dead Man.
From the big guns to the up and coming. Gideon is the name of this band, and I have not heard much from them until lately. This is No Acceptance.
Back to the big guns. P.O.D. recently came out with an album entitled Murdered Love which created quite a stir in the Christian Music Community. This is the Official Music Video for the Title Cut.
Our last video is somewhat of a rarity. The album didn't make the initial cut to be considered for a Platinum Vinyl Award, but I really liked the video. This is Shipwreck by Your Memorial.
Four videos to get things "started" this quarter. A different genre next week. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.
We begin our trip through the 4th Quarter Video Releases with Wolves at the Gate, this is the Official Music Video for Dead Man.
From the big guns to the up and coming. Gideon is the name of this band, and I have not heard much from them until lately. This is No Acceptance.
Back to the big guns. P.O.D. recently came out with an album entitled Murdered Love which created quite a stir in the Christian Music Community. This is the Official Music Video for the Title Cut.
Our last video is somewhat of a rarity. The album didn't make the initial cut to be considered for a Platinum Vinyl Award, but I really liked the video. This is Shipwreck by Your Memorial.
Four videos to get things "started" this quarter. A different genre next week. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.
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