The Wait of Glory

Here at The Night Beat we pride ourselves at calling it as we hear it. We're not going to fawn over an artist or bands release just because everybody is doing it, and, as you already may know, we pretty much adhere to a once saved always saved doctrine, musically speaking as well, where the industry is known for purges over various indiscretions.

This post is somewhat of a second look on an artist whose work I had panned in the past. Last Spring I posted a review of Thrift Store Jesus, and due to hiss and distortion, which while explained by the artist still drove me batty, I was kind of cool on the album. Add to that a level of profanity that I was uncomfortable with in a release toted by the Christian Market, and I gave it a bad rating, though not as bad as some.

Part of the re-assessment of +Heath McNease  was due to a release by P.O.D. a few months later. It created quite a stir when, though muted, the f-bomb was pretty evident on the last song. The band got away with it by the creation of a Christian Edition which omitted the song, thus depriving some of another purge.

Which brings me to two releases, one in 2012 and one this year, entitled The Weight of Glory: Songs Inspired by the Works of C.S. Lewis. Due to a number of reasons, not excluding my previous review of TSJ, the first work fell through the cracks. That is rectified here. The titles of the songs are also the titles of Lewis works.

1. The Great Divorce
2. A Grief Observed
3. Mere Christianity
4. The Problem of Pain
5. The Four Loves
6. The Screwtape Letters
7. Edmund
8. Perelandra
9. Till We Have Faces
10. Surprised by Joy
11. The World's Last Night
12. Weight of Glory.

What, nothing from Narnia. Oh well. This is a very good album, but part of the problem with it is a certain lack of direction. The album is mostly Adult Contemporary/Inspirational, with some Alternative and some Folk or Folk Rock. In hindsight, since the Third Platinum Vinyl Awards, for which this would have been eligible, are already awarded, this would have gotten a respectable 4.50 Emeralds. Unfortunately this wouldn't have been enough to win because this was the year of the Goliath. In Folk Music there was The Vespers. In Adult Contemporary you had Moriah Peters, Michael W. Smith, and genre winner Lara Landon. Then in Alternative you had four Buzz-saws. The release would have been washed away in the Current of Sarah Macintosh, The Wild Things on the Paper Route attacked it. It was drowned out by The Loudest Sound Ever Heard, before finally succumbing to he who being dead yet singeth, Abel.

That brings us to The Weight of Glory, Second Edition: A Hip Hop Remix inspired by the works of C.S. Lewis. The content is the same, though the order is adjusted. Now while the album is advertised as hip-hop, for someone who's experience with the genre is DC Talk and Group 1 Crew, I would sort of go with Alternative here, though I'll give the artist his pick. A lot of the tracks sound like Future of Forestry, which to me is a big plus but to Mr. McNease, I don't know. Not all the songs work, but since the style is consistent throughout, the album works better as a unit, so I'm giving it a nit pick perfect score of 4.75 Emeralds, just so I don't hand out 5's as candy. One nitpick that didn't affect the score. You would think a song called The World's Last Night would have been the last song, both due to the title and it feels like a perfect ending. It's the penultimate song on both albums.

Hip Hop is a little light on entries this year, so I like TWOG's chances, but we shall see about that next year. You can get both of these for a tweet through noisetrade. Click on the album titles to get yours. You won't want to upgrade. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

#PlatVnyl3 - Female Vocalist of The Year

Though the same rules apply to the Female Vocalist as the Male Vocalist, the fact is that the shenanigans are not as present here. Usually because most of the ladies record under their own names and not under a band. That is changing though: (i.e. Amy Lee of Evanescence; Hayley Williams of Paramore, etc), so shenanigans may abound in the future.

Since there are more ladies recording under their own name, that usually means there will be a bigger nominee pool for FVY. There were, but we managed to narrow it to 7.

• Audrey Assad
• Sara Groves
• Lara Landon
• Sarah Macintosh
• Lindsay McCaul
• Moriah Peters
• Beckah Shae

Both McCaul and Peters would be classified as New Artists as well, so you can't accuse us of holding out until someone "proves themselves". We recognize talent up front.

Of course, one can't help it when the judges almost literally "fall in love" with an artist. And who can disagree anyhow? A "voice" that can carry off any style of music they choose, soar above the loudest instruments or whisper with a sultry style that best is described as "torch singer." That combination carried her above the unique Macintosh, the Powerful Peters, the powerful vocals of Assad. Their time will come. This year, however, the Female Vocalist of The Year in the Platinum Vinyl Awards goes to Lara Landon.

I have a few more wrap-up posts to go. 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.

The Night Beat Christmas Parade: There is a Star

Cuteness Alert! Cuteness Alert! You have been properly warned. Sarah Macintosh is a veteran of the Christian Alternative scene. She has released three solo albums. Incidentally they are released on a once a presidential year cycle (2004, 2008, 2012). Prior to that she was lead for the shining star known as Chasing Furies.

In 2009 she released a Christmas album Christmas: With One Breath He Came . Of course I didn't learn about it until this year, as it has been streaming all week at NRT. An animated music video with extremely cute animals has been made for the song There is a Star. This is today's Christmas Parade selection, enjoy.

You can purchase the album at Amazon by clicking on the link, and helping to support The Night Beat at the same time. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Music Video Monday: Run and Don't Stop

It's Monday, and that means that it is time for Music Video Monday, where we at The Night Beat Share the Best Christian and GRAC Music Videos out there. Before we begin today, I wish to give a shout out to all my friends on Triberr for bearing with me as the Platinum Vinyl Awards commenced. You all helped make it a big success. I guess I should also give a shout out to the google blogger team for fixing the scheduled post issue in time. Never mind last years marathon posting, even this could have been a disaster.

We're going to start out with a fresh video. Bryce Avery (aka The Rocket Summer), is coming out with a new album tomorrow entitled Life Will Write The Words. As a matter of full disclosure The WENC Night beat is an Amazon Associate, and if you click the highlighted link above and purchase the CD or downloads, a portion of the sale will come back to help The Night Beat. Thank You for your support. Here is the music video for Run and Don't Stop.

One More fresh video, though shorter. Write This Down releases Lost Weekend tomorrow, and this is the album teaser, just like in the movies.

You can listen to Lost Weekend in its entirety this week on AOL Music

Now onto the regularly scheduled videos. First up is Eisley, which recently released the Deep Space EP, which will be considered for a Platinum Vinyl Award next year. This is a live performance of Deep Space.

For King and Country is next. This is Joel & Luke Smallbone, RS James Brothers. This is the music video of Missing.

Sarah Macintosh came out with Current in March, and Oh what an album. Perfection. These are live studio videos. I would love to share them all, but I will chose Damaged.

And finally, we close it out with Sidewalk Prophets. This is the Video of the Title Cut of their new album, Live Like That.

That concludes this edition of Music Video Monday. Until next Monday, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

The Frozen Chosen: Alternative

We move from Gospel to Alternative. This always seems to be a well represented genre, though it also happens to have a lot of double category listings, since it is a subgenre of Rock.

Alternative

• Todd Agnew - How to be Loved
• Anberlin - Dancing Between the Fibers of Time
• Matt Brouwer - Til The Sunrise
• Eisley - Deep Space
• For King and Country - Crave
• The Fray - Scars and Stories
• Jeremy Horn - Sound of the Broken
• Kiros - Lay Your Weapons Down
• Sarah Macintosh - Current
• Kevin Max - The Fiefdom of Angels, Side One
• Pioneer - Pioneer
• Ruth - Payola
• Sidewalk Prophets - Live Like That
• Sons - Keep Quiet

There were a lot of good entries this quarter, and Kevin Max was one that snuck by me until the very last minute. Good thing I didn't have this post out yet. I will have to update the rewind posts though.

Next tin the Frozen Chosen is Pop, another very well represented genre. Until Next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Night Beat Rewind: March 2012

We have reached the halfway mark of the eligibility period for the Third Annual Platinum Vinyl Awards (the year is Oct 1 - Sept 30). My how time flies. So far things are pretty good except we are back to a very slow year for Children's Music. As always, we begin these rewind posts with those albums which

Missing The Mark

• The Burial - Lights and Perfections 3.75 Emeralds
• Leaders - Now We Are Free 3.75 Emeralds
• Don Moen - Uncharted Territory 3.75 Emeralds

As I say every time, these aren't bad albums, just not Award Worthy. I'll let you know if a release stinks up the joint. Don't worry.

Last month there were no releases that rose to the Pinnacled Heights of Greatness, but this week there was one result which qualified to be called

Pure Platinum

• Sarah Macintosh - Current 5 Emeralds

Was there really any question? There wasn't if you read my review. The former Chasing Furies front-woman takes fans of the late 90's band remembers her old fans in her latest release, and introduces new listeners to her memorable voice. While Current was the only perfect album of the month, there were plenty of releases which would qualify as

 

Semi-Precious Metal

• Todd Agnew - How to Be Loved 4.5 Emeralds
• All Sons and Daughters - Season One 4.5 Emeralds
• Anberlin - Dancing Between The Fibers of Time 4.75 Emeralds
• Dave Barnes - Stories To Tell 4.5 Emeralds
• Before Their Eyes - Redemption 4.5 Emeralds
• Jeremy Camp - I Still Believe: #1's Collection 4.75 Emeralds
• Adam Cappa - The Rescue 4.25 Emeralds
• Andy Cherry - Nothing Left To Fear 4.25 Emeralds
• Evan Craft - Giants 4.75 Emeralds
• Nicole Croteau - Anchors and Silhouettes 4.5 Emeralds
• Anthony Evans - Home 4.5 Emeralds
• Fireflight - Now 4.75 Emeralds
• Flame - The 6th 4.5 Emeralds
• Gateway Next - Look Up 4.5 Emeralds
• Hawk Nelson - The Songs You've Already Heard 4.75 Emeralds
• Jeremy Horn - Sound of The Broken 4.5 Emeralds
• Impending Doom - Baptized in Filth 4.25 Emeralds
• Cory Lamb - Safe In Your Arms 4.25 Emeralds
• My Children My Bride - Mychildren Mybride 4.5 Emeralds
• Jimmy Needham - Clear The Stage 4.25 Emeralds
• Britt Nicole - Gold 4.5 Emeralds
• Passion 2012 - White Flag 4.75 Emeralds
• Philips, Craig & Dean - Breathe In 4.5 Emeralds
• Rhema Soul - Red 4.5 Emeralds
• Ruth - Payola 4.25 Emeralds
• RMG - Welcome To The Family 4.5 Emeralds
• Sidewalk Prophets - Live Like That 4.5 Emeralds
• Take 6 - One 4.75 Emeralds
• TobyMac - Dubbed & Freq'd: A Remix Project 4.5 Emeralds
• Young Chozen - Class President 4.5 Emeralds
• Youthful Praise - After This 4.25 Emeralds

March is over, and I've finished as well. This has got to be some kind of miracle. To have the March Rewind up on the last day of the month. Here's to more surprises. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Blessed are the Meekers....For They Shall Stay Current

Pardon the biblical pun. By now you should expect nothing less from me.

Every so often a band appears that sends ripples through the industry. When that happens the CCM usually rallies its forces to bring that band into compliance with its will. If the band bends to the industry it will either become bland or cease to exist. If it manages to survive the onslaught of the industry pressure, it can reinvent the industry itself.

One of those ripples occurred just at the close of the last millennium. In 1999 three siblings from Fort Worth, Texas: Sarah, Rachel and Joshua Meeker crashed the music scene as Chasing Furies. Their sole album was With Abandon which was released that year. Thicker was the eighth most requested song on ChristianRock.net that year. Then, just as soon as they appeared, they vanished.

Fast forward. Lead Singer Sarah, now married and called Sarah Macintosh, is re-emerging as a solo artist. Current is her third solo work, the first two being Then Sings My Soul (2004) and The Waiters The Watchers The Listeners The Keepers and Me (2008). Still, it has been a four year break. Welcome Back.

Sarah gets it. What her fans expect, I mean. I was disappointed when The Benjamin Gate broke up, but when Adie Camp (formerly Adrienne Liesching) returned as a Solo artist, all the sound that was The Benjamin Gate, including her lovely South African accent, was gone. She sounds like any other Adult Contemporary Artist out there. Sarah, however has at least one song that could best be described as from Chasing Furies Lost Demos.

The CD opens with the title cut, and the listener immediately knows that this isn't your typical pop album. A dance hall drum beat, mixed with strings (or at least synthesized strings) is unlike most of the CCM Teen Pop out there. Fans of Chasing Furies would best be served by Laughter Comes Upon Us, Calling Calling, and Galaxy Forever.

If you're looking for a Pop album that stretches your musical boundaries, then you've got to check out Current. I have had a hard time just hitting repeat on this one. I especially love Damaged and the aforementioned Calling Calling. After many listens I have decided to go for it. Since my opinion of the album rises with each listen, I think it is fair to give this album a Perfect 5 Emerald Rating.

Curent releases March 6. Handle with care, It's Electric. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.