The Night Beat 10 Best Albums of 2017

We are really flying here at Night Beat HQ. I am pretty much on top of things. We should have our December Rewind up by the end of the year. Our look at the We Love Christian Music Awards should be done by then as well. And we are moving ahead with #PlatVnyl8. While I still think I will need additional judges for this one (and possibly beyond), things are looking good right now.

One of the final things for the year is Our list of The Top 10 Albums of 2017. And I have narrowed it down to 10. Let's get to it.

1. In Rivers, Light City Music: The Top Album of The Year is a Worship Album unlike any other, and from Canada. Vertical Worship is very rare these days, most worship is Praise by another name. This album is only available from Apple Music and iTunes. While they are the biggest and the best, it seems like the Music World is against these people.
2. Synthesis, Evanescence: Under most circumstances an album like this wouldn't make the list (and not for the reason you think). No, the reason I wouldn't have this on the list is, for the most part, it is a best of album. The reason it is on the list is that they haven't just re-recorded these songs, they have redone them completely with a live orchestra. It's the best thing going since RED.
3. Gone, RED: Yes, that is a good lead-in. The Pioneer and Still King of Orchestral Rock. Whether Thrashing with Step Inside, The Violence, Rocking with the title cut, or slowing it down with a Ballad like Hold On, the saying is true, RED always catches the eye. The Best RED Ever? I still think that's Innocence and Instinct. This may be number 2 for now.
4. Sheep Among Wolves, Project 86: You would think that a band with the aim of never making two albums the same would wind up making a misstep and you would get a clunker or two. Not this band. There is a bit of room to breathe on this one (a few ballads). The wolves will never know what hit them.
5. Starlight, Bethel Music. Bethel Church takes its show on the road for a live tour with friends. If you can't find a copy of In Rivers, this is a more than acceptable alternative if you are seeking Vertical Worship.
6. The Never Again, Lara Landon: The Way Unplugged Should Be. Lara is one of those artists that "could sing the phone book" (yes, I know, they went the way of the pay phone). Worship with minor accompaniment. The only problem. It's only seven cuts.
7. Benediction (Live), The City Harmonic: Sometimes Things End Well. The City Harmonic was one of the most innovative Worship Bands to grace the scene (and Surprisingly enough, this is another Canadian Band (Both Light City and The City Harmonic are from Ontario. Something is going on North of The Border).
8. Every Mile Mattered, Nichole Nordeman: We love artists with a few miles under their belt. We like it even more when the miles do not change you. Nichole has stayed true to her pop roots and even worked in a little EDM here and there. From someone who has been there from the first. Thank You.
9. Lifer, Mercy Me: Happy Dance. Enough Said. I can only imagine may have brought them fame, but they have had to weather "Friendly Fire" as they have been more blatant in the message of Grace. It was always there though. Best songs: Grace Got You and Best News Ever.
10. One Way Conversations, Hollyn: One of the best new artists. Her Sophomore release has no slump. No musical style is beyond her ability (Rap, Dance, Gospel, it's all here and done to perfection.)

I didn't say getting down to 10 was easy. There were a lot of good albums that didn't make the cut. I won't give you all the 5 Emerald Albums released (There Would Be 53 others). I will only go with those left after the first round of cuts. Without Rank, the Honorable Mention.

• Beatitudes, Stu G and Friends
• Colliding By Design, Acceptance
• Here (Live), Red Rocks Worship
• In Prayer, Salt of The Sound
• Projections, Landry Cantrell
• Rise, Danny Gokey
• The Rush and The Roar, We Are Leo
• Skin and Earth, Lights
• Suddenly (or The Nuclear Sunburst of The Truth Revealed), Young Oceans
• Unleashed Beyond, Skillet
• Untraveled Roads: A Live Album, Thousand Foot Krutch

2017 has been a really good year, and I have every reason to believe that 2018 will be just as good, if not better. I encourage you to respond via comments, Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus as to what you think. Until next year, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Night Beat Rewind: December 2017

Things are proceeding well at Night Beat HQ. Here it is just after Christmas and we are all caught up with the December Rewind and The First Quarter Wrap is ready as well. If I didn't know better I would think I could proceed forever without help. No, the baby is getting a bit to big to handle. Let's get on with it.

Christmas Music (Non-Eligible)

• David Dunn - Overwhelming (Single) 4.75 Emeralds
• Annie Moses Band - O Holy Night/Carol of The Bells 5 Emeralds
• Matty Mullins - O Holy Night (Single) 5 Emeralds
• Planetshakers - Christmas, Volume 1 EP 4.75 Emeralds

Considering that it is December, perhaps it is fitting that the Christmas releases are thin. You want maximum play-time after all.

The Singles Scene

• Antoine (fka ABIV) Bradford - Be My Everything 4.75 Emeralds
• Ty Brasel - Praying Hands 4.25 Emeralds
• Riley Clemmons - Broken Prayers 4.75 Emeralds
• Hawk Nelson - He Still Does (Miracles) 4.75 Emeralds
• Jay Sanon - I Know U Know ft CUBO - 4.00 Emeralds

Now, on to the albums. We begin with those with that will not make the #PlatVnyl9 Pool.

Missing The Mark

• J-Phish - New Kings 4.25 Emeralds
• Keyes - Animal House EP 4.00 Emeralds
• Surf Gvng - Gvng Gang 3.75 Emeralds

Must be the Christmas Season, or the fact that you can't fail what isn't released. On to the perfect and flawless.

Pure Platinum Perfection

• Anabeth Morgan - A Place Your Glory Dwells 5 Emeralds
• Project 86 - Sheep among Wolves 5 Emeralds

Yup, it's the slow release schedule. On to those in the middle.

Semi-Precious Metals

• For All Eternity - The Will To Rebuild 4.75 Emeralds
• GAWVI - 954 EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Eric Heron - Afterglow: A Somewhat Complicated Story 4.50 Emeralds
• Byron Juane - Life In The Evening EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Sam and Samantha McCabe - Through The Night 4.75 Emeralds
• Narrow Skies - In Hibernation 4.75 Emeralds
• Aaron Powell - My Heart Belongs EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Tommy and Me - What Every Child Should Know About God, Volume 1- Joyful 4.75 Emeralds
• Tommy and Me - What Every Child Should Know About God, Volume 2 - Peaceful 4.75 Emeralds
• U2 - Songs of Experience (Deluxe Edition) 4.75 Emeralds
• War of Ages - Alpha 4.75 Emeralds

That does it. 2017 is in the Bag. Stay safe and we'll see you again in 2018. Until next time (there is still more housekeeping to do), I am Awaiting Your Reply.

#PlatVnyl6 The Nominations Begin: Metal Video of The Year

We are down to the final two genre based video awards as we announce the nominees for #PlatVnyl6 Hard Rock/Metal Video of The Year. The Nominees are: Ghosts ft. Jeremy McKinnon by +AugustBurnsRedVEVO ;Knives to the Future by +Project86VEVO ; Slave to Nothing by +FitForAKingVEVO ; Survive by Gideon; and This Goes Out To You by P.O.D.

And yes, we have made a playlist of the videos for your viewing, and voting enjoyment.

Rock Video of The Year is next, and that completes the Genre Videos. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

#PlatVnyl6 v. #WLCMA4 - The Album Awards, Part Three

We're Back with the Nominee Breakdowns. I had thought of abandoning this post and moving on to the general field since I had not narrowed down my Perfect 5's from which the Album of The Year would be awarded. I have since gotten things down to a reasonable number to extract a sampling. Not to say that these will be THE NOMINEES. Not yet anyway. 

Due to the differences in how we perceive genre, 2 genres and Album of The Year make 5 genres and Album of The Year at the Platinum Vinyl Awards.

The BPM Awards (Electronic/Dance Album of The Year) correspond to Dance/Synthpop Album of The Year and Electronic-Industrial Album of The Year. Their nominees:

• Capital Kings - II 5 Emeralds (#PlatVnyl7)
• Fireflight - Innova 4.75 Emeralds
• Levi Whalen - Timelines 4.50 Emeralds
• Rapture Ruckus - Invader 5 Emeralds
• Transform DJ's - Never Alone   4.75 Emeralds (#PlatVnyl7)

Capital Kings and Transform DJ's are in the #PlatVnyl7 Pool and Fireflight was in the Rock Pool, though I may give them a nod here since entries in these genres were low this year. Same with Levi Whalen, whose album I just learned about recently. As far as Automatic Qualifiers go, for Dance-Synthpop, we have just one, the compilation WoW Hits Party Mix, and Electronic-Industrial had two

• NYVES - Anxiety 5 Emeralds
• Rapture Ruckus - Invader Deluxe 5 Emeralds

The AMP Award (Rock/Alternative Album of The Year) actually corresponds to three categories here at the Platinum Vinyl Awards. Alternative Album of The Year, Rock Album of The Year, and Hard Rock/Metal Album of The Year. Their nominees:

• P.O.D. - The Awakening 5 Emeralds
• Red - Of Beauty and Rage 5 Emeralds
• Seventh Day Slumber - Redline EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Tree 63 - Land 4.75 Emeralds
• XXI - Inside Out 4.75 Emeralds

This is a fluid area for #PlatVnyl6 even now, as Auto Qualifiers for alternative number 10, Rock 7 and Hard Rock 3. All are very good choices and I have no other comments except that P.O.D. is Hard Rock and Seventh Day Slumber is in #PlatVnyl7. As to our automatic qualifiers: 

Alternative Album of The Year

• Anberlin - Cities: Live In New York
• Anberlin - Never Take Friendship Personal: Live In New York
• Foreverlin - Still After
• Kings Kaleidoscope - Becoming Who We Are
• Kings Kaleidoscope - Becoming Who We Are (Instrumental)
• Lifehouse - Out of The Wasteland
• Kevin Max - Broken Temples: Deluxe
• Steve Taylor and The Perfect Foil - Goliath
• Tenth Avenue North - Cathedrals
• Jonathan Thulin - Science Fiction

Rock Album of The Year

• Altar Boys - Gut Level Music (Re-Release)
• Children 18:3 - Come In
• Pillar - One Love Revolution
• Red - Of Beauty and Rage
• Sidewalk Prophets - Something Different
• Sumerlin - Runaways Deluxe
• Toby Mac - This Is Not A Test

Hard Rock/Metal Album of The Year

• P.O.D. - The Awakening
• Project 86 - Knives to the Future
• Saint - Broad Is The Gate

I made a pronouncement that no Perfect 5 would be left out of the Finals. I intend to still keep that promise, even though it appears quite difficult this year. Not every release may get into a genre category. I may have to do some "creative shuffling" and there will be many who will feel snubbed.

Album of The Year is the Big Prize everyone wants, which is surprising since the Dove Awards no longer wants to award it. The five nominees for the WLCMA's, for the most part don't really seem to fill the expectations for such a prestigious award. Their Nominees:

• Amanda Cook - Brave New World
• Hawk Nelson - Diamond
• Hillsong United - Empire
• Jonathan Thulin - Science Fiction
• Lauren Daigle - How Can It Be

The first requirement for an album of the year according to the rules of the Platinum Vinyl Awards is that the album in question MUST come from the Perfect 5 Pool. By that standard only Science Fiction by Jonathan Thulin makes the cut.  Hillsong United wouldn't even make the initial pool at 3.75 Emeralds.

For this comparison I will keep to my best of 2015 list. The nominees for #PlatVnyl6 will most likely include some albums from October to December of 2014, and nothing after September 30, 2015. Calendar Year 2015 had 49 Perfect 5's. This was whittled to 18 for a best of list. A random selection from that list is as follows. 

• The City Harmonic - We Are
• Toby Mac - This Is Not A Test
• Plumb - Exhale
• Red - Of Beauty and Rage
• Jonathan Thulin - Science Fiction

All Perfect 5's from The Night Beat. A formidable judging job if you ask me. That does it for the album awards. I will skip the song awards because I am not ready in the least. We will go to the General field, which I can hobble together. Until Next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.  

The Best of 2014: Metal

This is where we crank it up. The Best Hard Rock and Heavy Metal releases for 2014. Two album had to be left off this portion of the list, and they were left speechless. Actually, one of them would have been speechless regardless, since it was an instrumental album. That was Behold (Instrumental) by My Epic, which in my opinion was better than the vocal edition. You really can't beat uninterrupted Metal Jams. The other album left off the list, simply cause I couldn't put them all on, was Vxv by Wolves at the Gate.

You kind of know if they put out an album, Stryper will find its way onto the best albums of the year list. They are just that good. Last year they struck platinum with No More Hell to Pay , the long awaited sequel to No More Hell to Pay . This year they went platinum again with, of all things, a live album. Now I don't want you to think there's any favoritism regarding Live at the Whisky . There isn't. It's just that there aren't too many Live Albums that make you go WOW. Usually the "Live Experience" that you feel if in the arena is somehow lost, or at least diminished during the recording. But here, as one person said, a band in it's fourth decade shouldn't sound this good. But they do, and finish it off with a megasong, a seven minute rendition, with audience participation, of Soldiers Under Command, probably the song that made the band.

The genre is officially Hard Rock/Metal, and we were privileged to have one entry from each half. The Hard Rock side was represented by Orange County monsters of Rock Project 86. They are slightly less prolific than their fellow county residents Stryper, having put out Wait for the Siren in 2012. It takes a while longer to make an album unlike the one before it. Stryper is proud of their sound. Of course the voice is what makes the band, and Andrew Schwab is easily recognizable, however the sound. This time they point their Knives to the Future (Special Edition) , and while this might be their hardest rocking outing yet, they have no trouble slowing things down to near Alternative levels, as in Son of Flame.

Our widows and orphans post is next, where only one entry per genre remained. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Music Video Monday: Cathedrals

Welcome Back to Music Video Monday everyone, we are somewhat on schedule this week. Just a quick post this time. We begin our video tour with Bluegrass/Rap group +WHOSOEVER SOUTH and their latest Music Video, Down Here. 
We continue with another Perfect 5 Emerald Rating band, +Tenth Avenue North. This is We Are Cathedrals.
And finally, we conclude our video tour on a Hard Note. We crank up the volume for Project 86. This is the title video for Knives to The Future.
That does it for this edition of Music Video Monday. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Night Beat Rewind: October 2014

The 6th Platinum Vinyl Award Eligibility Year is under way. I am really excited about this year. It is quite obvious by looking at the new releases that things are taking off. I mean, I have four Perfect 5's this year already. We're on pace for 48 perfect 5's in the non holiday variety. We begin with the Holiday releases however, for such is the season. Though if you could hold off on the music on the radio until after Thanksgiving, I would be grateful.

Christmas Music (Non-Eligible)

• 1 Girl Nation - A Merry 1 Girl Nation Christmas 4.50 Emeralds
• Carolyn Arends - Christmas: Story of Stories 4.75 Emeralds
• Chris August - The Christmas EP  4.50 Emeralds
• Peter Furler - Christmas 5 Emeralds
• Wayne Haun - Sentimental Season 5 Emeralds
• Salvador - Hope Was Born 4.75 Emeralds
• Aaron Shust - Unto Us 4.50 Emeralds
• Various Artists - Gotta Have Gospel Christmas: O Holy Night 5 Emeralds
• Various Artists - Silent Night Carols 4.75 Emeralds

Though 3 releases among the Christmas Music are Perfect 5's, since we don't have a Christmas Music Category, they are not counted among the Perfect 5's for award or best albums of the year. Just an honest opinion of the music.

We move on to the song releases. Singles have always been a mainstay of the music industry from the days of the 45. It's just a little easier with mp3's.

The Singles Scene

• KIDD - Bellavia 3.75 Emeralds
• Silent Planet - Firstwake 4.50 Emeralds
• Project 86 - Genosha - 4.75 Emeralds

Always love Project 86. They always say that if any two albums sound alike, they have failed. That might disappoint some fans, but not this one. On to the albums, and, as always, we begin with those releases which

Missed The Mark

• Seth Condrey - Worship Sessions, Vol 1 3.75 Emeralds
• Jamie Nunnally - God is With Us 3.75 Emeralds
• Teleosong - God's Glory 3.50 Emeralds

Except for Teleosong, which seemed to be an album without a direction, these were pretty good, except for the fact that they won't be award worthy. These next releases, however, are more than worthy. They are, in fact

Pure Platinum

• KJ-52 - Mental 5 Emeralds
• Kings Kaleidoscope - Becoming Who We Are 5 Emeralds
• Planetshakers - This Is Our Time (Live) 5 Emeralds
• Whosoever South - Come on In 5 Emeralds
• Young Oceans - I Must Find You 5 Emeralds

There is not much to say here. Some may disagree with Kings Kaleidoscope because they are disappointed that the Songs from Live In Color were redone. Still, it is not enough to tarnish the Platinum.

We finish with the in betweens, the 

Semi-Precious Metal

• Susan Boyle - Hope 4.75 Emeralds
• Brightwork - Hope for Love 4.50 Emeralds
• Canon - Loose Canon Vol. 2 4.75 Emeralds
• The Classic Crime - What Was Done, Vol. 1: A Decade Revisited 4.75 Emeralds
• Decyfer Down - Anthology 4.50 Emeralds
• Fit For A King - Slave to Nothing 4.50 Emeralds
• Gideon - Calloused 4.50 Emeralds
• Wes Hampton - Out On A Limb 4.50 Emeralds
• Je'kob - This Side of the Sky 4.75 Emeralds
• We Are Leo - Fightback Soundtrack 4.75 Emeralds
• Trip Lee - Rise 4.75 Emeralds
• Manic Drive - VIP 4.75 Emeralds
• Laura Hackett-Park - Love Will Have Its Day 4.75 Emeralds
• Mac Powell - Southpaw 4.50 Emeralds
• Izzi Ray - Make Much of You 4.75 Emeralds
• Sanctus Real - The Dream 4.50 Emeralds
• Martin Smith - Back to the Start 4.75 Emeralds
• L. Spenser Smith - Unstoppable 4.75 Emeralds
• Chris Tomlin - Love Ran Red 4.75 Emeralds
• Chris Tomlin - Love Ran Red (Deluxe Edition) 4.75 Emeralds
• Various Artists - Before Amen: A Worship Collection 4.50 Emeralds
• Rhett Walker Band - Here's To The Ones 4.75 Emeralds
• Worship Central - Set Apart (Live) 4.50 Emeralds

That does it for October. We are off to a flying start. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

 

The Platinum Collection: The Top Six

In our last post we announced the bottom half of The Platinum Dozen, the twelve best albums of the year 2012, as determined by us here at The Night Beat. We Continue now with the Top 6.

6. Blessed By A Broken Heart, Feel The Power (January 24, 2012)

I LOVE 80's Music. Probably since that was my formative decade. CCM Came into the rock era in the 80's and so did Heavy Metal, with bands such as Bloodgood and Stryper. Since then the metal world has gone screamo/thrash with those growls that always make me think "that's got to hurt". This band from Montreal has it all. Stryper like harmonies, awesome guitar shreds, and great songs. As they say on their album, "Bang Your Head, Shut Up and Rock." What a way to kick off the new year, as this was the first Perfect album of the year, coming out on January 24. Read my original post at the link. They can even do a good Metal Love song in Forever.

5. Shiny Toy Guns, III (October 22, 2012)

From Metal to Techno. Before they were in the mainstream, the duo of Chad Petree and Jeremy Dawson were well known among the Christian Fringe as Cloud 2 Ground, and though the music may have less of an obvious Christian tint, Shiny Toy Guns still has enough of C2G to please. I gave the album a Perfect 5 in my Original Post. Of course with their music videos, what is it with Carah Faye having to run everywhere. Somebody get this gorgeous blond a sports car. Another one which should clean up at next years Platinum Vinyl Awards. There is nowhere to hide from Shiny Toy Guns.

4. Project 86, Wait for the Siren (August 21, 2012)

The Hard Rockers from San Diego (no, not P.O.D.), these are the other ones strike Platinum once again. Strings, Screams, arrangements. From the opening notes of Fall Goliath Fall with its Celtic intro to the title cut which ends it, this is a Hard Rock album worth every penny. Defector is about the only place to take a breather. The title cut, placed at the end with Celtic Pipes worthy of Iona, pure genius. Definitely a Siren Song worth listening to.

3. Sarah Macintosh, Current (March 6, 2012)

The former lead singer of Chasing Furies returns with her first album in four long years and does not disappoint. Her vocals are unique in the music world, and they are expertly used in this album. About the time the album was released a series of Music Videos taken in the Recording Studio were released on Youtube. The raw energy of these recordings is breathtaking. Personally, the best of these is Damaged.

T1. Lara Landon, Overcome (May 1, 2012) and Gungor, A Creation Liturgy (October 9, 2012)

Falling for an artist was never easier. Lara is without argument the best singer in Christian Music today, and probably the only Torch Singer in the industry. Yes, I'm a guy, but there is no way to describe her voice except seductive. And her Arabic heritage allows her to pull off the middle eastern Look East without a hitch. She can even do country in Leah, and I love it. That says a lot. Get caught in the River.

There was never a doubt about number one from the moment this album was released until the PVA Year ended, and Gungor came out with their live album for the Ghosts upon the earth tour. I didn't like the studio album much, felt it lacked pop, so I was skeptical about the live album, which is usually less energetic for some reason. Not so here. If they could have captured this magic in the studio, but they didn't.

That's it folks, the Top 12 Albums for the Calendar Year 2012. I will soon come out with my PVA Top list, which goes from October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012, and a few others will be on this list. Until then, A Merry Christmas to all from all of us here at The Night Beat.