Phoenix Rising: The 2019 Platinum Vinyl Awards 1st Qtr - Dance

We begin with a Dance. No, don't worry, not me. The Dance genre is one of four genres to make the initial bar of 5 entries. It also represents our cutesy title.

Dance-Synthpop

• GAWVI - Panorama
• Influencers - On Earth/In Heaven
• Kevin Max - Romeo Drive
• Matthew Parker - Daydreamer
• Scandroid - The Darkness

The Darkness is Scandroid's Third Album (other than remixes and compilations), the first two are Scandroid and Monochrome. It's hit song is Phoenix. Moving on alphabetically, we go with Gospel (The real kind). Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Phoenix Rising: The 2019 Platinum Vinyl Awards 1st Qtr - Children's folk rock compilation

PVX is underway. The first quarter is underway and it is time to wrap. There is only one megapost this quarter as it was a very good quarter. Four genre's: Children's Music, Folk Music, Rock Music, and Compilation, had less than five entries, which make our minimum bar for their own post. Let's Get to it.

Compilation Album

• Various Artists - WoW Hits 2019

Children's Music

• JJ Heller - I Dream of You, Volume II

Folk Music/Folk Rock

• Christafari - 99.4.1
• High Street Hymns - High Street Hymns
• Jenny and Tyler - There Will Be A Song (Deluxe)

Rock Music

• The Afters - The Beginning and Everything After
• Emery - Eve
• Marc Martel - Thunderbolt and Lightning
• Needtobreathe - Acoustic (Live), Volume 1

The first quarter 2019 wrap is under way, and we are all single genre from now on. A four way tie awaits us at the 5 bar. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Embrace The Darkness

I was born in the 60's, had my childhood in the 70's, and came of age in the 1980's. It was a much simpler time back then, especially musically, and sometimes I miss it. Well, except for bell bottom jeans, perms and the disco era. Some things are best left forgotten.

The 80's was the golden age of Music, and really the birth of Christian Contemporary Music, though you can push it into the 70's. Woodstock happened in 1969. Larry Norman's Upon This Rock published in 1969, is generally thought to be the first CCM Album and kicked off the Jesus Music Era, which some have ending in 1989, but I would say really ended as the 80's began and Christian Music began to become a force in the Music Industry at large.

The hardware was simple. There was the 45 or single. It had 2 songs. Side A was the radio hit. And then there was the B-side. They didn't need to be from the same artist. A 33 or album was usually 8 to 10 songs, with 5 to a side. All could be hits, or none. Around the middle of the decade a hybrid appeared called an extended play disc or EP. it usually consisted of 5 songs.

Throw simplicity out the window. It's time to embrace The Darkness, the latest genius release by Scott Allen (aka Klayton). Multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire with numerous side projects, this one Scandroid (he is also Celldweller, Circle of Dust, Argyle Park, Klank, and Chatterbox. Tired yet). Scandroid is his 80's Synthwave persona, and it is probably my favorite, though It's hard to pick among the excellence. This is Scandroid's Third "Album", and the label is up for debate. There are 18 tracks, which would technically make a "Double Album". Yet there are only 6 original songs, which would make an EP. The 18 tracks are arranged in the following order: The 6 Original Tracks (Into The Darkness, Phoenix, The End of Time, Onyx, Red Planet, and Out of The Darkness), then there are 4 remixes of the vocal tracks, and then there are 8 more instrumental tracks (Into the Darkness is also a very short instrumental), 4 of which are remix instrumentals. So its 2 EP's and an album combined.

I was sold on The Darkness (there was no title at the time) when I heard Phoenix, and so did everyone else. Soundcloud had that song with almost 11,000 plays:

Another life begins, sanctified
Freed from a thousand sins, that have died
fear no uncertainty, anxiety or unbelievers
Spread Wings of Fire, Born Again.

Can I get an Amen, somebody.

Scandroid is really meant to be experienced, and you can't do justice with talk, so I have included the soundcloud playlist for The Darkness. All 18 Tracks. We Are Phoenix. A Perfect 5 Emeralds. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Night Beat Rewind: December 2018

The end of a year and the start of the next. It's a special time. We are in the swing of things here at Night Beat HQ. I think Youppi got into the spiked eggnog at the Christmas Party. Wearing a lampshade and singing Frere Jacque non stop. Oh well. Here's to the New Year.

Christmas Music (Non-Eligible)

• Alan Cox - O Holy Night (Acoustic) (Single) 4.25 Emeralds
• Finding Favour - Christmas on the Radio (Single) 4.25 Emeralds
• Jada Mayson - Son of God, Son of Mine (Single) 4.75 Emeralds
• Rachael Nemiroff - Joy To The World (Wondrous Love) (Single) 5 Emeralds
• Cindy Cruse Ratcliff - Glorious EP 4.75 Emeralds
• The Royal Royal - Ding Dong Merrily On High (Single) 4.75 Emeralds
• Smalltown Poets - Carol of The Bells 5 Emeralds

Christmas 2018 is now over. On to the regular stuff. We begin with the songs.

The Singles Scene

• Meredith Andrews - A Million Saints 5 Emeralds
• Demon Hunter - On My Side 4.75 Emeralds
• Demon Hunter - Peace 4.75 Emeralds
• Elias Dummer - Heartbeat 4.75 Emeralds
• Hillsong United - Good Grace 5 Emeralds
• Peabod - Anti-Social 4.75 Emeralds
• Sadie Robertson - One (ft LO Worship) 4.75 Emeralds
• Switchfoot - All I Need 4.75 Emeralds

On to the albums. Even in the Spirit of Christmas we can't give everyone passing grades. 

Missing The Mark

• Ty Brasel - Destined for Greatness 3.75 Emeralds
• Man of Faith - Insomniac 3.50 Emeralds
• Spirit Fit Music - Worship Workout Hits, Volume 3 3.50  Emeralds
• Spirit Fit Music - Worship Workout Hist, Volume 3 (Instrumentals) 3.75 Emeralds

Only one comment. Those workout musics inspired me to give up working out. On to the good music.

Pure Platinum Perfection

• Celldweller - Remixed Upon a Blackstar Instrumentals 5 Emeralds
• Color Theory - The Majesty of Our Broken Past (Instrumetals) 5 Emeralds
• Eowyn - Just Believe 5 Emeralds
• Hammock - Universalis 5 Emeralds
• Andy Hunter - Presence, Volume 3 5 Emeralds
• Scandroid - The Darkness 5 Emeralds

A very good showing for the end of the year. We give and receive the best here at Night Beat HQ. All we can say is WOW. And we bring things to a close with the middle ground.

Semi Precious Metals

• Canon - Home 4.75 Emeralds
• CRC Music - Greater Than All, Part 2 EP 4.75 Emeralds
• High Street Hymns - High Street Hymns 4.50 Emeralds
• Righteous Vendetta - Reignite: The Fire Inside 4.75 Emeralds
• 3C Live -  Good To Me (Live) 4.75 Emeralds

2018 is in the bag. Have a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year everyone. We will be taking a short break for Christmas, but we hope to have our best of 2018 out before the New Year turns. If we don't, we will see you in 2019. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Night Beat Rewind: November 2018

Two months in and things are really HOT here at #PVX. Things are busy here at Night Beat HQ. The long delayed #PlatVnyl8 has been announced, and will soon be posted on the blog. We hope to have the Best of 2018 Post before 2019. First up, though, is to get the November Rewind done before New Years Day.

Christmas Music (Non-Eligible)

• Chris August - Here is Our Christ (Single) 4.75 Emeralds
• Caleb and Kelsey - Christmas Together 5 Emeralds
• Riley Clemmons - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Single) 5 Emeralds
• Riley Clemmons - Silent Night (Single) 5 Emeralds
• Cochran and Co. - Please Come Home For Christmas (Single) 5 Emeralds
• Leanna Crawford - Christmas Dreamin' (Single) 4.75 Emeralds
• David Dunn - Star (single) 4.75 Emeralds
• David Dunn - Star EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Embassy - Emmanuel EP 5 Emeralds
• Brian Free and Assurance - Christmas EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Tori Harper - The Greatest Love (Once In King David's City) (Single) 4.75 Emeralds
• Koryn Hawthorne - This Christmas (Live)(Single) 5 Emeralds
• Mallory Hope - Christmas Is All About You EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Jess and Gabriel - Ill Be Home EP 4.50 Emeralds
• KJ-52 and Spechouse - Mostest Wonderfullest Time of The Year 5 Emeralds
• Lifepoint Worship - Come and Adore EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Marc Martel - Christmastime Is Here 4.75 Emeralds
• John Mark Mac Millan - Smile In The Mystery 4.75 Emeralds
• The Nelons - A Winter Carol 4.25 Emeralds
• Neon Feather - Carol of The Bells (Single) 5 Emeralds
• Neon Feather - O Come O Come Emmanuel ft Emily Hamilton 4.75 Emeralds
• Northpoint Inside Out - Ring The Bells EP 4.75 Emeralds
• 116 - The Gift: A Christmas Compilation 5 Emeralds
• Peabod - Neverending Christmas (single) 3.50 Emeralds
• Planetshakers - Christmas Volume 2 EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Pray Tell - It's Almost Christmas, Volume II 3.75 Emeralds
• Sarah Reeves - Let It Snow EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Shane and Shane - A Worship Initiative Christmas, Volume 2 4.75 Emeralds
• Stars Go Dim - Christmas Is Here EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Various - A Visible Christmas, Volume 7: Too Much Christmas 4.50 Emeralds
• Kim Walker-Smith - Love Came Down (Single) 5 Emeralds

31 Christmas releases. A very good month. Now on to the non seasonal releases. There are actually a few. We begin with the songs released during the month. 

The Singles Scene

• About A Mile - Make America Great Again 5 Emeralds
• Cochran and Co.- Church (Take Me back) 4.75 Emeralds
• Cochran and Co. - Grace 5 Emeralds
• Aaron Cole - Patient With Me 4.75 Emeralds
• Celldweller - The Seven Sisters (Voicians Remix) 5 Emeralds
• Elias Dummer - Enough 4.75 Emeralds
• Elevation Youth - Have It All 4.75 Emeralds
• Danny Gokey - The Prayer w/Natalie Grant 5 Emeralds
• Hammock - We Watched You Disappear 5 Emeralds
• Hollyn - Horizon 4.75 Emeralds
• Hollyn - You Won't 5 Emeralds
• Mallary Hope - Me 4.50 Emeralds
• Chris Howland - Your Love (HGHTS Remix) 4.75 Emeralds
• I Am They - Reckless Love 4.50 Emeralds
• I Am They - Tremble 4.75 Emeralds
• KB - Die Rich (ft Ray Emmanuel) 4.50 Emeralds
• Hannah Kerr - Split The Sea 4.75 Emeralds
• Eric Kniefel - My Only Aim 4.75 Emeralds
• Sajan Nauriyal - Step In 4.75 Emeralds
• Planetboom - Run To You 5 Emeralds
• Scandroid - Onyx 5 Emeralds
• Mark and Sarah Tillman - You Belong To Me (Oak City Slums Remix) 5 Emeralds
• Tre'Gadd - P4me 4.50 Emeralds
• We Are Messengers - Maybe It's Okay 4.50 Emeralds
• Youngheart - You Tell Me 4.75 Emeralds

24 Non seasonal songs. One note, Elias Dummer former lead of The City Harmonic, so it stands that we should have some good music in the near future from him. On to the albums, and we begin with those that did not make the cut.

Missing The Mark

• Cristabelle Braden - Start With Hello EP 4.25 Emeralds
• Elim Sound - We Say Yes (Live) 4.25 Emeralds
• Connor Flanagan - Skyskrapers 4.25 Emeralds
• Innerwish - Waiting For The Dawn (Reissue from 1998) 4.25 Emeralds

I think we should consider only four MTMs as a Christmas Present of sorts. On to the Perfect Albums.

Pure Platinum Perfection

• The Afters - The Beginning and Everything After 5 Emeralds
• Christafari - 99.4.1. (Reckless Love) 5 Emeralds
• Crowder - I Know A Ghost 5 Emeralds
• Crusoe - A Cure For Gravity 5 Emeralds
• JJ Heller - I Dream of You, Volume II 5 Emeralds
• Hillsong Young and Free - III (Live at Hillsong Conference) 5 Emeralds
• Love and The Outcome - These Are The Days (Deluxe) 5 Emeralds
• Tasha Cobbs Leonard - Heart.Passion.Pursuit (Live at Passion City Church) 5 Emeralds
• MAE - Multisensory Aesthetic Experience 5 Emeralds
• Memphis May Fire - Broken 5 Emeralds
• Salt of The Sound - Beyond Here 5 Emeralds
• Soulbreather - Come Along 5 Emeralds
• Mark and Sarah Tillman - Morning Sun, Rising Tide (Instrumental) 5 Emeralds

A Platinum Dozen. Still most of the music is in the middle

Semi-Precious Metals

• Amongst The Giants - Obscene 4.75 Emeralds
• Casting Crowns - Only Jesus 4.75 Emeralds
• Celldweller - Remixed Upon A Blackstar 4.75 Emeralds
• Christ Fellowship Worship - What Love Looks Like (Live) 4.75 Emeralds
• Coyote Choir - Volume 1 4.50 Emeralds
• Emery - Eve 4.75 Emeralds
• Sean Feucht - Wild (Live) 4.75 Emeralds
• Brook Fraser - B Sides 4.75 Emeralds
• Influencers - On Earth/In Heaven EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Innerwish - Inner Strength (2006 Re-Issue) 4.50 Emeralds
• Innerwish - Silent Faces (2004 Re-Issue) 4.75 Emeralds
• Jessica Johnson Garcia - JJ+Garcia 4.75 Emeralds
• Joshua's Troop - Another Chance 4.75 Emeralds
• Land of Color - Land of Color EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Tamela Mann - Us Against The World: The Love Project 4.75 Emeralds
• Robin Mark ft. New Irish Choir and Orchestra - A Belfast Symphony (Live) 4.75 Emeralds
• William Matthews - Kosmos 4.75 Emeralds
• Kevin Max - Romeo Drive 4.75 Emeralds
• Needtobreathe - Acoustic (Live), Volume 1 4.50 Emeralds
• Northpoint Inside Out - Northpoint Inside Out EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Brian Ortize - Open The Windows Ep 4.75 Emeralds
• P.O.D. - Circles 4.75 Emeralds
• Andrew Peterson - Resurrection Letters Anthology 4.75 Emeralds
• Plumb - Crazy About You (Remixes) 4.75 Emeralds
• Prestonwood Worship - Songs of the People: Revival EP 4.75 Emeralds
• River Valley Worship - Million Lifetimes: Deconstructed EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Selah - You Raise Me Up: Greatest Hits 4.75 Emeralds
• 7eventh Time Down - Brand New Day EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Silent Planet - When The End Began 4.75 Emeralds
• Russ Taff - Believe 4.75 Emeralds
• Steve Taylor - Squint (1993 25th Anniversary Re-Issue) 4.75 Emeralds
• Bryan and Katie Torwalt - Praise Before My Breakthrough EP 4.75 Emeralds
• DA T.R.U.T.H. - Vet 4.75 Emeralds
• Unspoken - Just Give Me Jesus EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Victoria - Victoria EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Josh White and Josh Garrels - Josh White and Josh Garrels EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Josh Wilson - Don't Look Back EP 4.75 Emeralds

November is in the bag, and a slow December may allow me to get that in before years end. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Night Beat Rewind: October 2018

We are underway for #PVX or Platinum Vinyl 10. I can hardly believe that it has been almost a decade that I have been doing this. My first post was July 8, 2010, so we have a few months for the big celebration. The Platinum Vinyl Awards, however, got backdated, so we could have a non-calendar eligibility year like all the other awards. We begin this time of year with the Christmas Music, which, thankfully, is not eligible. 

Christmas Music (Non-Eligible)

• Hannah Kerr - Christmas Eve in Bethlehem 4.75 Emeralds
• Matt Maher - The Advent of Christmas 5 Emeralds
• North Point Inside Out - Emmanuel (Hope of Heaven) ft Seth Condrey (Single) 4.50 Emeralds
• Ivan Parker - Christmas Dreams 4.75 Emeralds
• David Phelps - It Must Be Christmas 4.25 Emeralds
• Mark Schultz - Mark Schultz Christmas 4.75 Emeralds
• Various - A Motown Gospel Christmas 5 Emeralds
• Ce Ce Winans - Somethings Happening: A Christmas Album 4.75 Emeralds
• Darlene Zschech - The Table: A Christmas Worship Gathering 4.75 Emeralds

A very good mix, and, since there is no award for this genre, there is no bias. I usually like Mr. Phelps Christmas music, but it seemed so pedestrian this time around. We move on to the songs released during the month.

The Singles Scene

• AT4G - Retribution 5 Emeralds
• Antarctic Wastelands - Farthest Dreams 5 Emeralds
• Steven Curtis Chapman - Remember to Remember 5 Emeralds
• Aaron Cole - Making History 4.75 Emeralds
• Crusoe - Go And Get It ft. Zayde Wolf 4.75 Emeralds
• da Foo - One In A Million 4.50 Emeralds
• Keitron Fountain - Be In Your Presence 4.25 Emeralds
• G12 Worship (fka Soulfire Revolution) - All Things New 5 Emeralds
• London Gatch - New Stories ft Brandon Lake 4.75 Emeralds
• Travis Green - See The Light ft Jekalyn Carr 4.75 Emeralds
• Hammock - Universalis 5 Emeralds
• Caleb Hammon - Great I Am 4.50 Emeralds
• Spenser Kane - Wavy (ft Jor'dan Armstrong) 4.75 Emeralds
• DJ Kirk - Fighting Through It 5 Emeralds
• Tasha Layton - Love Lifting Me 4.75 Emeralds
• LEAH - Lion Arises 5 Emeralds
• TobyMac - The Elements 5 Emeralds
• Rachael Nemiroff - Heart of Stone 4.75 Emeralds
• Matthew Parker - Breathe 4.75 Emeralds
• Scott Ralley - Fan My Flame 4.50 Emeralds
• Salt of The Sound - For Those Who Wander 5 Emeralds
• 7eventh Time Down - Help Me 4.75 Emeralds
• One Sonic Society - Love Song ft Elle Limebear 4.75 Emeralds
• Switchfoot - Native Tongue 4.75 Emeralds
• Kenneth Thomas and Goshen Sai - Soaked [FSOE] 4.75 Emeralds
• Veridia - Cheshire Smile 4.75 Emeralds
• Jeremy James Whitaker - Feelings (Instrumental) 4.75 Emeralds

Platinum Vinyl 10 is getting off to a good start. On to the albums. We begin with those albums that do not make the cut.

Missing The Mark

• Dillon Chase - Joyful Loser 4.25 Emeralds
• Ben and Noelle Kilgore - A Resting Place EP 4.25 Emeralds

Two albums miss the mark. I must be getting soft. Now to those albums which surpass all expectations.

Pure Platinum Perfection

• Evanescence - Synthesis Live (CD/DVD) 5 Emeralds
• For King and Country - Burn The Ships 5 Emeralds
• LEAH - The Quest 5 Emeralds
• Toby Mac - The Elements 5 Emeralds
• Marc Martel - Thunderbolt and Lightning 5 Emeralds
• Twenty One Pilots - Trench 5 Emeralds
• Planetshakers - Heaven on Earth 5 Emeralds
• Holly Starr - Human (Deluxe Edition) 5 Emeralds
• Various - WoW Hits 2019 5 Emeralds
• Veridia - The Beast You Feed 5 Emeralds

10 to 2. Definitely a sign of softening standards. I plead the holidays. Canadian Celtic Metal Mistress LEAH, Twenty One Pilots, and Mark Martel (Queen Covers) all make a strong Fringe showing. So does Veridia, with a duet with Amy Lee of Evanescence.

Semi-Precious Metals

• Anthem Lights - Worship 4.75 Emeralds
• Francesca Battistelli - Own It 4.75 Emeralds
• Lauen Bea - Wildflower 4.50 Emeralds
• Lisa Page Brooks - My Life EP 4.75 Emeralds
• CRC Music - Greater Than All, Part 1 EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Aaron Cole - The Other Side EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Covenant Worship - Covenant Worship (Live) 4.50 Emeralds
• Michael Farren - Fighting For Us 4.50 Emeralds
• Fight The Fury - 
• GAWVI - Panorama 4.75 Emeralds
• Christon Gray - Clear The Heir 4.75 Emeralds
• The Gray Havens - She Waits 4.75 Emeralds
• Influence Music - Mistakes EP ft Melody Noel 4.75 Emeralds
• Iron Bell Music - Glory To Glory 4.75 Emeralds
• Jenny and Tyler - There Will Be A Song (Deluxe) 4.50 Emeralds
• Carmen Justice - Quarter Life Crisis EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Lovelite - Apocalypse Hymnal 4.75 Emeralds
• Matthew Parker - Daydreamer 4.75 Emeralds
• Planetshakers - Heaven on Earth, Part Three 4.75 Emeralds
• Psalm - Deathproof 4.75 Emeralds
• Sarah Reeves - Easy Never Needed You 4.75 Emeralds
• Gerry Skrillz - Hundred Proof EP 4.75 Emeralds
• J Steph - Glory: The Remixes 4.50 Emeralds
• Tenth Avenue North - The Things We've Been Afraid To Say EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Chris Tomlin - Holy Roar 4.75 Emeralds

That does it. October is in the bag. Platinum Vinyl 10 is under way. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.

Hungry Beasts and Ghosts, Oh My.

Sometimes the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Yes, I know that's mathematically impossible, but we're dealing with emotions here. And sometimes the rawer the emotion, the better. Especially when we're dealing with Music.

The Beast You Feed by VERIDIA is chock full of raw emotion. You will be pulled in so many directions with this album and be left bawling at the end. Just fair warning so you can get your tissues ready. If I need them, you'll need them.

For an album featuring so much raw on your sleeve emotion it is somewhat ironic that it's opening that the opening track is Numb, featuring a bridge like this

And life is perfect Drown out the sanity It’s really perfect When I can’t feel a thing

You will feel. Whether its anger (Savage), regrets (Ghosts) or hope (I Won't Stay Down), you will relate. Remember what I said about the whole being greater than the individual parts. None of the songs, save for the final cut, really stand out on their own, but they are part of a journey, a theme, that draws you in, wrings you out, and leaves you primed for the finale. Yes, it's manipulative, but in a good way. It's therapy. Kind of Like an Evanescence Album.

Which brings us to our final song I'll never be ready. Written by lead singer Deena Jakoub (Veridia) with backing vocals and piano by the immortal Amy Lee. I agree totally with Amy, this song, this collaboration, was totally orchestrated by God himself. I want you to experience this. I know I must have been a sight in the donut shop listening and sniffling.

I think you know where this is going. 5 Emeralds on the strength of the final cut. Certain albums are therapy, and cost a whole lot less than a psychiatrist. Evanescence has been my therapist for a long time, and I think Dr. Deena might be a referral from time to time. Get this album, and some tissues. Until next time I am (sniffle) Awaiting Your Reply.