The Drive To Five: The Class of 2011

Maybe I just am getting better at picking winners and losers, but the Class of 2011 turned out a whole lot better than 2010. It was a very big class, 11 members strong, so not all of them could fit in New Artist of The Year. The nominees for that award were Jessa Anderson, Katelynne Cox, The City Harmonic, Dakota Green, Hyland, Icon For Hire. Also scattered among the awards were Jai, Worth Dying For, Swimming With Dolphins and Committed. Only Dakota Green has officially left the CCM industry, but it remains to be seen if he can be included in future awards. Jai and Katelynne Cox are the only CCM artists that have gone silent for now. So that's 8 of 11, or a 73% success rate. 2010 was 64% so it looks like I am getting better.

But of the 8 which remain, who can complain. The City Harmonic followed up their debut with I Have A Dream and then Heart, Dara found out she was still wanted, and Icon For Hire found out their name was pure platinum. A very strong year. Comebacks and Goodbyes are next.

The Heat is On: PVA 2011 3rd Qtr Nominees - Pop

The biggest category of all, as expected. There are sixteen entries this time around, enough for over two years awards. This is always going to be the genre which requires the most work. Since there is so much to do, I think we should get right on with it.

Pop

Again, just like modern worship, there were some double nominees here, and we'll get to them in a bit.

• Anthem Lights, Anthem Lights (D)
• Inside These Walls, Brandon Bee
• The Road, Tricia Brock (D)
• One Girl, Katelynne Cox (D)
• Jonny Diaz, Jonny Diaz
• My Brain Says Stop but My Heart Says Go, FM Static
• On Fire, Peter Furler (D)
• Love is Taking Over, Dakota Green (D)
• Plain and Simple, Crystal Lewis
• Captivated, Nicole C. Mullen
• Born Again: Miracles Edition, Newsboys
• One True God, Newsong
• Blessings, Laura Story
• Black and White, Royal Tailor (D)
• In the Name of Love, Christina Tarlev (D)
• Home, Nathan Tasker (D)
• You Can Be Loved, Beth Williams

A whole lot of "Debuts" this time around, though of the eight on the list, three are Solo debuts from established artists (Peter Furler, formerly of Newsboys; Tricia Brock, currently of Superchick) or an American Debut (Nathan Tasker has four albums in Australia). Newsboys get a second year in a row nominee by releasing the old Deluxe Album, but it works. You can check my full review of Born Again: Miracles Edition, as well as Anthem Lights, My Brain Says Stop, But My Heart Says Go , One Girl, and Home by clicking on the respective title.

That was a lot. One More category to go, Rock. As it is also a biggie, I will wait until Monday. As always, I am Awaiting Your Reply

The Heat is On: PVA 2011 3rd Qtr Nominees - Children's Music and Dance

We begin the listing of potential nominations for the 2nd Annual Platinum Vinyl Awards with the Children's Music and Dance Categories. Now I wish to remind my readers that these are "POTENTIAL" nominations. When the year of eligibility is finished on September 30, the list will begin to be whittled down to, hopefully, Seven Final Nominees in each category.

One final note. I am seriously leaning toward weaselling out with an Inspirational category to get out of my Jackie Evancho dilemma. I am currently listening to Come Down O Love Divine by Fernando Ortega, and it seems that this could be a second entry in an inspirational genre. It sounds beautiful, and if I looked hard enough, I am sure I could round up a handful of others. We'll see. On to the Nominees.

Children's Music

There were only two entries this time around. Since last year we only had two entries total, we seem to be on the same pace. Unless I find a rush of Veggie Tales releases, this one should be quick once more.

• K5 Kids Sing The Songs of Toby Mac, K5
• Maranatha Kids Top 25 Kids Praise Songs, Various Artists

Dance (inc. Trance, Synthpop and Industrial

Things were a little better on the dance floor. I know, there were a few heart attacks as I said that. ("True Christians don't dance" is the common mantra). There were twice as many entries for dance this quarter as our entire Children's Music total year to date.

• One Girl, Katelynne Cox (D)
• All Things Bright and Beautiful, Owl City
• Water Colours, Swimming With Dolphins (D)
• Feedback, Derek Webb

As I have mentioned before, I managed to review One Girl a few months ago. The title link will take you there. That does it for now. Next up will be the final two categories with just a handful of entries this time around: Hip Hop/Rap and Hard Rock. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

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