The 2019 Top 10 Albums: The Hard List

Continuing with our revelation of the Best Albums of 2019, I am turning up the volume. In our previous post I revealed the top 10 Soft Albums, and by that I mean Pop, Worship, Gospel and Adult Contemporary. We now go to the Hard List. Rock, Metal, Industrial, Rap. Let's get to it.

1. Wolves At The Gate - Eclipse: The Hardest on so many levels - Volume, Thrash Vocals, Subject Matter. WATG impressed me from the first time I heard them, which
   
   was VxV in 2014 and each album which has followed has showed amazing growth in both music and lyrics. Eclipse is a masterpiece telling of sin and redemption and the power of the Grace of God. These guys would be called Hyper Grace by certain Pharisees (you know who you are). "Forgiveness despite my defiance". A sermon has not been crafted that tells it better.
2. Within Temptation -  Resist: Like the soft list before it, this list seems to have gotten a 1 and 1B, one "Christian" and one "Mainstream". I came across Within Temptation due to a Best women in Metal video on Youtube and I am so glad I did. Sharon den Adel blends her Operatic Vocals with Symphonic Metal which here has the addition of Industrial and Keyboards. I love the majestic sound on songs like Endless War and In Vain. This is one temptation that you wont want to Resist. Better yet, on the Deluxe Version of this album you get the bonus of instrumental tracks, which lets you enjoy the orchestration in all its glory. Not to take away anything from the vocals.
3. Michael Sweet - Ten. Never has an album had a better title. Though the title cut actually is a reference to the Ten Commandments, it could also be the rating for the album (A Perfect 10). The tireless Stryper frontman hits you hard right from the start with his trademark high scream and screaming guitars on Better Part of Me. The intensity barely lets up, though there is time for a ballad to catch your breath.
4. Diviner - Realms of Time. Greek Metal. You wouldn't think the two would be linked, but they are. Diviner is a Metal Band in the vein of Theocracy. Very well crafted.
5. White Collar Sideshow - I Didn't Come Here To Die: The Night Beat has always had a love for industrial music back from the days of Deitiphobia and Aleixa. White Collar Sideshow blends the industrial with country into what they call Arkansas Shock and Roll. TD and Veronica Benton have crafted an album which surpasses a "Fringe" masterpiece (the style of music is on the fringes of CCM) which in my mind surpasses The WitchHunt, which was a formidable task indeed. The Bottom 5 without comments.
6. Scott Stapp - The Space Between The Shadows
7. Seventh Day Slumber - Closer To Chaos
8. Skillet - Victorious
9. Adelaide - Strong + Brave
10. NF - The Search

You know it's a packed list when you have to leave Thi'sl, Andy Hunter, and Scandroid in the Honorable Mentions list, but that is where we are this year. We are done with the top 10 Albums. I will include an EP list later on, but I have a First Quarter Wrap to complete. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Justified In Light: The 2020 Platinum Vinyl Awards 1st Quarter - Adult Contemporary

Welcome to the single genre posts of our First Quarter Wrap. Adult Contemporary met the minimum bar of 5 Entries this quarter, as did Instrumental. That begins our first tie.

Adult Contemporary/Inspirational

• Casting Crowns - New York Sessions
• London Gatch - Home EP
• Matt Maher - Allive and Breathing, Volume 2 EP
• Laura Story - I Give Up
• Bryan and Katie Torwalt - Anticipation EP 

We are off and running. Instrumental is next. I need the extra time to finish up my Best of's for 2019. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Justified In Light: The 2020 Platinum Vinyl Awards 1st Qtr - The Megapost

2020 is here, and it is time for our first wrap of the year. As always we begin with a megapost or megaposts that squeeze all the genres that contributed less than 5 entrants in a quarter. Children's Music and Remix Album had no representation this quarter. This post will cram in Compilation Album, Folk/Folk Rock, Alternative, Dance-Synthpop, and Electronic-Industrial. There are also three ties when we get to the single genre postings. You know how we love ties here at Night Beat HQ. Let's get to it.

Compilation Album

• Various Artists - Simple Hymns: Songs of Worship

Folk/Folk Rock

• The Porter's Gate - Neighbor Songs

Alternative Rock

• Northlander - Forces of Light

Dance-Synthpop

• Color Theory - Lucky Ago
• Scandroid - The Light

Electronic-Industrial

• Dear Gravity - The Pilgrimage Series: Arrival EP
• Hammock - Silencia
• Andy Hunter - Presence, Volume 4
• White Collar Sideshow - I Didn't Come Here To Die

That starts things off with a bang. Single Genre from here on, and we begin with our first tie. Adult Contemporary leads things off. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

The 2019 Top 10 Albums: The Soft List

The Time has come for our Best of (and we try to be Top 10) List. This Year an abundance of Perfect 5 Emerald Rated Albums and EP's has led to creating multiple lists. The Albums will be split into two lists. SOFT and HARD (Based on Volume, not Theological Content), and then we will have a post for the EP's on their own. We begin with the Soft List, which is basically Adult Contemporary, Pop, Soft Rock, and Synthpop. Let's get to the list.

1. Phil Keaggy and Rex Paul - Illuminations: Multiple Listens prove the location for this album. Maybe it's my musical roots, which go all the way back to the Jesus Music Era (I Officially became aware of Christian Music in the Mid 70's). He was
   
   touring with the 2nd Chapter of Acts at the time. The Greatest Of All Time. His version of Time is worth the price of purchase.
2. Lindsey Stirling - Artemis: I am unabashedly a fan of strings, and I am not to proud to admit I just recently heard of Ms. Stirling. And for that I thank Amy Lee of Evanescence for "dueting" with her on Hi-Lo and Lindsey returned the favor on this album with Love Goes on and on. This is what heaven sounds like. It's 2, but it's really 1B.
3. Wilder Woods - Wilder Woods: The Neetobreathe side project is a mix of just about everything and is a joy to listen to.
4. BeBe Winans - Need You: BeBe and CeCe Winans were the modern generation of Gospel Family the Winans for my generation. Now at 57 Benjamin (BeBe) shows no sign of slowing down. This is a rousing Gospel/R&B/Big Band Sounding Gem.
5. Whosoever South - Back Roads and Small Towns: I was skeptical when I heard a band was going to mix Country and Rap. I hate the first and am somewhat lukewarm on the second. But they forgot to tell me the country was actually Bluegrass. This third album is the best of the bunch. The Bottom 5 without comment.
6. Zach Williams - Rescue Story
7. Out of The Dust - Now More Than Ever 
8. Hillsong Worship - Awake
9. William McDowell - The Cry: A Live Worship Experience from Chattanooga 
10. Keyondra Lockett - The Heal Reloaded: The Journey Continues

Next up: The Hard List. You Rockers will love this. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Music Video Monday: Accepting All Condiments

Welcome Back to Music Video Monday. Things have been a bit erratic with MVM due to holidays, snow days, and even occasional winter blahs. So we have decided to make this an extra special version, and even lighten things up a bit. We begins with Colton Dixon, who dropped his new single Miracles last Friday. This is the Music Video for it.

Going a bit lighter, we move to Transform (aka Transform DJ's). With Rapper Sean Be, this is Jericho. Let's get the party started.

What The World needs now is more dancing condiments. Dream Records EDM artist Joel Vaughn has recognized this need and decided to fill it. I know, you didn't realize you needed it. But you didn't know you needed an iPhone either until Steve Jobs created one. I guarantee that everyone in this video had a blast. Here is Something New.

Finally, a bonus video. Actually this is a full concert video from one of my favorite musicians. Klayton is a talented Electronic Musician who records as Celldweller, Scandroid, and Circle of Dust, and has previously released albums as Argyle Park and Brainchild. He also runs his own record label. The music video was just released, although the concert is from 2010/11. Enjoy the magic of Celldweller.

That does it for this edition of Music Video Monday. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Night Beat Rewind: Album Edition - December 2019

The final Album Edition Rewind of 2019 begins now. Like I said in the Single Scene Post, we are a little light this month. Bands take the holiday's off except for Christmas Music. Things will heat up again soon. They always do.

Christmas Music (Non-Eligible)

• Admiration and Affection - Lessons and Carols 4.75 Emeralds
• Somniscape - Christmas EP 

The last month of Christmas Releases is the lightest. I guess if you haven't found a favorite already, you are ahead of the game for next year. In keeping with the gift giving season, as we move on to the judged music, there was only one album which missed the mark. That too will change as the year goes on.

Missing The Mark

• King Stevian - Trap Tithe 2 2.75 Emeralds

This artist usually gets categorized as Rap/Urban, but I have yet to hear anything but talking and we don't do "spoken word" here. We do music. Plus, he spends all his time this time talking about legal documents, child support, and the like. Not the venue for this. 

Pure Platinum Perfection

• Bloodgood - Trenches of Rock: The Metal Mission of Bloodgood 5 Emeralds
• The Lead - Burn This Record (30th Anniversary Re-Issue) 5 Emeralds
• Manafest - This is Not The End 5 Emeralds
• Scandroid - The Light 5 Emeralds

Four....Sorry. Four perfect albums is pretty good for December. A little surprising is the re-release by The Lead. The quality is a little thin (it was CCM in the 80's remember) and so I am giving it a perfect 5 based on the lyrical content mostly. Now to the stuff in the middle.

Semi-Precious Metals

• 5ive - White Van EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Coby James - Coby James EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Northlander - Forces of Light 4.75 Emeralds
• Nothing Left - Disconnected 4.50 Emeralds
• Reba Rambo - Lady (43d Anniversary Remastered Digital Debut) 4.75 Emeralds
• Saint - The Calf 4.75 Emeralds
• John Schlitt - Go 4.75 Emeralds
• Social Club Misfits - MOOD/DOOM 4.75 Emeralds
• Sovereign Grace Music - This Glorious Christ EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Stillman - Whisper EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Joey Vantes - The Season EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Kanye West - Jesus Is Born 4.75 Emeralds
• The World Will Burn - Nothing As Real As it seems 4.75 Emeralds

2019 is in the bag completely. Happy New Year everyone.

Night Beat Rewind: The Singles Scene - December 2019

We are ready to close out 2019 and step into a new decade. Things are a little light in December, as is expected. I am keeping up with the Two Post Rewind, though, even though things may be a bit short.

Christmas Music (Non-Eligible)

• Isaac Carree - The Gift 5 Emeralds
• Ben Ford - Silent Night 5 Emeralds
• Keith and Kristyn Getty - Joy To The World/In the Bleak Midwinter 5 Emeralds
• Keith and Kristyn Getty - Sleigh Ride/God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen 5 Emeralds
• Keith and Kristyn Getty - Though Who Has Rich Beyond All Splendor 5 Emeralds
• Jamie Grace - The Story (Noel) 4.75 Emeralds
• Powerhouse Fellowship Soul Choir ft Shaun Cotterell - The Best Gift 5 Emeralds
• Radiate Worship - The King Has Come 5 Emeralds
• Vineyard Worship - Angels We Have Heard on High/Glory to God (ft Tina Colon Williams) 4.75 Emeralds

That does it for Christmas Singles. Now on to the judged music. We begin with the Songs which did not make the cut. Perhaps I'm in the Christmas Spirit here, but there were none. On to the Perfect Songs.

Pure Platinum Perfection

• Antarctic Wastelands - Star Trails ft Somniacs 5 Emeralds
• The Choir - Counting Stars (One Republic Cover) 5 Emeralds
• Jordan Feliz - Faith (Fe) ft Evan Craft 5 Emeralds
• Lou Fellingham - Jesus You'r With Us (Live) 5 Emeralds
• For King and Country - God Only Knows (ft Dolly Parton) Team Timbo Remix 5 Emeralds
• Tori Harper - Outsider 5 Emeralds
• Icon For Hire - Blindside 5 Emeralds
• The McClures - Waymaker (Live at Bethel) 5 Emeralds
• Passion - There's Nothing That Our God Can't Do (Live) 5 Emeralds
• Powerhouse Fellowship Soul Choir ft Shaun Cotterell - I Believe In Miracles ft Patricia Shirley 5 Emeralds
• Rend Collective - Your Name Is Power (Acoustic) 5 Emeralds
• Scandroid - I Remember You (Lucy in Disguise Remix) 5 Emeralds
• Scandroid - Purified 5 Emeralds

And finally, the music in the middle.

Semi-Precious Metals

• Brooke DeLeary - Me Time 4.75 Emeralds
• Connor Flanagan - IDK 4.75 Emeralds
• Adam LaVerdiere - I Can't Believe (Yet Still) 4.50 Emeralds
• Derek Minor - Swish (ft Greg James) 4.50 Emeralds
• Gardner Pippin - Only God 4.75 Emeralds
• Psalm - Hero's Lament 4.75 Emeralds
• Shane and Shane - How Great Is Your Love 4.75 Emeralds
• Social Beingz - Legacy (ft O'Bros) 4.75 Emeralds
• JSteph - Home (ft Moflo Music) 4.75 Emeralds 

The final Single Scene of 2019 is in the books. On to 2020. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.