The WENC Night Beat

#PlatVnyl3 - Video of The Year

2013-05-24T18:00:00.000-04:00

A category having its debut this year, Video of The Year honors the Music Video, once responsible for launching two cable networks (VH1 and MTV), now it is the red headed stepchild of the industry.

Judging in this category skews heavily to the visual element. The song could be simply average, yet when combined with the video it becomes unforgettable. Of course, both parts could be equally strong. A weak video and a strong song would not be considered, however.

Due to the visual element, the nominees for the video categories were reduced from the usual seven to five.

Black Heart Hearse, White Collar Sideshow
Carry You, Close Your Eyes
Poison and Wine (The Civil Wars Cover), Satellites and Sirens
The Proof Of Your Love, For King and Country
Timing is Everything, Lights

Each of the nominated videos is a striking visual image in itself. From the Flashdance inspired Timing is Everything where Lights proves the truism that "something red always draws the eye" to the dystopian nightmare that is "The Proof of Your Love". In retrospect, perhaps Valerie (Lights) should have drenched herself with water (a la Jennifer Beals), because the judges went with the St. James Gang instead of her (For King and Country is Joel and Luke Smallbone, brothers to Rebecca St. James). Also on to the next round was a tale of Life, Love and Death that would impress even Evanescence. Carry You by Close Your Eyes.

When the smoke cleared, however, Walt Disney carried the day. Well, Pixar at least. Satellites and Sirens made an album of cover songs and then created a music video for each of them. They were all good, some silly, and a few notable. Among the latter category was a cover of The Civil Wars Poison and Wine. They used a montage of images from Pixar's UP, and it is a real tear-jerker.

Yes, the judges wept. If you don't while watching, then perhaps you need a hearse for your black heart. Just a few more to go. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

#PlatVnyl3 - Song of The Year

2013-05-23T18:00:00.000-04:00

Song Of The Year. The name screams "Big". You may more properly name this the Anthem of The Year, as that is the type of song that lends itself to this award. Ballads need not apply, usually. Some things are expected of the winner. It must have a certain in your face attitude. It must be an earworm song, in a good way (Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen need never apply). It must have awesome Orchestration. Strings are always welcome. Soaring Vocals Too. In a phrase, the song must be bigger than life.

Six songs made the initial pool. Five genres were represented

Blush , Pilgrims and Prodigals, Annie Moses Band
Fire Walk With Me, Make it Right, Abel
Lord of Patience, The Attributes of God, Shai Linne
Lost in Paradise, Evanescence, Evanescence
My Heart is Broken, Evanescence, Evanescence
Our God is Coming, Center of it All, Desperation Band

The race to succeed "Manifesto" by The City Harmonic was on.

The first round of voting reduced six songs to four. My Heart is Broken had its heart broken by being deemed the weakest of the two Evanescence nominees. Joining the ranks of the broken hearted was Lord of Patience, the rap entry.

The second round of voting took the lush pop ballad Blush by Chamber Pop group Annie Moses Band and Middle Eastern Twinged Modern Worship Song Our God is Coming out. AMB pretty much had the ballad hopes wrapped up. The final round showdown was on. In this corner, Fire Walk With Me by Abel. In the other corner Lost in Paradise by Evanescence. The former is a classic sing along song, complete with chorus "Oh, the devil wants to drag my soul, drag my soul, down to the lake of fire." The latter is much more difficult to sing along with. It is hard to disagree, however, that the girl can make pain beautiful.

And when you have 12 nominations, the odds are in your favor that you are going to win some. No one expected 11 wins (2 nominations in Song of Year, only 1 Award). But the Big ones are the ones that count. The Platinum Vinyl Award for Song of The Year goes to Evanescence for Lost in Paradise. Just a few more posts to do. Do me a big favor. Click on the Links, Download the Song. Support The Night Beat. I am Awaiting Your Reply.

#PlatVnyl3 - Female Vocalist of The Year

2013-05-22T18:00:00.000-04:00

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.

#PlatVnyl3 - Male Vocalist of The Year

2013-05-21T18:00:00.000-04:00

We try to keep things honest here at PVA Central (I know, that sounds like a home improvement store). The Male and Female Vocalists of the Year are the place where shenanigans take place, usually in the form of having a band front man (i.e. John Cooper of Skillet) nominated as a Male Vocalist. Because of things like that, our rule is that any nominated vocalist must have released an album under his own name during the year of eligibility. There were 5 nominated vocalists.

Chris August
Lecrae
Andrew Peterson
Mac Powell
Phil Wickham

I can hear the objection as I write. "Mac Powell, he's the Lead Vocalist for Third Day". Yes, that's true. Third Day released Miracle back in November, and that will be considered for the 4th Platinum Vinyl Awards. However, way back in August Mac released a self titled album in time for these 3rd Awards.

A funny thing happened on the way to the voting. People with me from the start know I have a distaste for Country Music. Since Mac publicized his album as Country, one would think that would have knocked him out of the running. Well it didn't. Mac wisely didn't stray too far from Third Day and it was more Southern than their usual Southern Rock, but it was rock enough. Mac's got a great drawly rock voice which makes him instantly recognizable and puts him apart from the crowd. It also means that Mac Powell is the Platinum Vinyl Award winner for Male Vocalist of The Year.

That concludes our first wrap up post. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

#PlatVnyl3 - The Pre-Show Album Awards

2013-05-10T16:50:00.001-04:00

Welcome to the first ever Pre-Show Award Post in Night Beat History. I'm trying to simplify things around here, and one way to do it is to break up the awards into Show and Pre-Show, just like the big guys do. (Yes, Yes, and look where it took them. I know, we'll cross that bridge if we come to it.

The first thing up will be the minor album of the year awards. There are four of them this time. First is Live Recorded Album of The Year. After listening to the nominees again and again the judges agree. The Winner of the Third Platinum Vinyl Awards for Live Recorded Album of The Year is Dead & Alive (CD+DVD) by +The Devil Wears Prada.

The non-genre specific albums may or may not be in the awards from year to year. I mean, not everyone will do a live album. There should always be at least one compilation album, and in that light this year we will be awarding the Multiple Artist Compilation of The Year to Jesus Music Anthology: The 70's

Children's Music Album of The Year was a tough one. Not many entries for this category or the next. The winner of this years award was A Little Heart Like You by Martha's Trouble.

The final album in the Pre-Show is Folk/Folk Rock Album of the Year, and when this years winner came out, it became fairly obvious to all the judges that the bar had been set. Not to say that the category was rigged, but sometimes the cream does rise. The winner of the Folk/Folk Rock Album of The Year is The Fourth Wall by The Vespers..

When the opportunity has afforded it, I have included the new Auto Rip link for my Amazon Associate. It gives you a 2-for. You can get the download for yourself and pass along the CD as a gift. Or keep a backup for yourself. We'll be doing Song and Video Awards next time. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

#PlatVnyl3 - The Award Show Survivor

2013-05-09T18:30:00.001-04:00

The music industry is changing, and the industry, to be civil, is clueless. I took time to vent at the industry this winter, so I wont repeat myself here. It is safe to say that a mantra of the industry is that iTunes saved the music business, but that is only partially true. The industry may still die.

Crowdsourcing: Kickstarter and others have weakened the position of the labels, so they no longer have the upper hand in the negotiations. If tensions arise between Label and Artist, the artist leaves, starts a kickstarter campaign, and is usually the better for it. Talk about taking the bull by the horns.
iTunes and Amazon Music are, in some cases, the only avenues an artist takes. I have noticed a "download only" option for as much as a year before a physical CD is released
Youtube had De-commercialized the Music Video, though the labels are desperately trying to control that medium by pulling down videos.

The latest changes are in the award show industry. Surprisingly, the changes seem to favor the little guy. The Platinum Vinyl Awards hasn't, as of yet, been able to get into the "Swag Stream" to obtain free CD's to review. Our decisions are based upon purchases, free album streams, and song samples. That being said, we at Night Beat HQ haven't had any shortage of material to review. Funny the big boys can't find it. The Gospel section of the Grammy Awards is officially a joke. Three awards this year. And the Dove Awards skipped their spot in the rotation in April, and will be going from April 2012 to October 15, 2013. Now that pushes them past #PlatVnyl3 and into the beginning of the nomination pool for #PlatVnyl5. They will have missed a whole year of entries.

I will be posting results as they come in on the Award Page, and will be doing blog posts as I can. Keep with me, share the results and make your comments below, or use #PlatVnyl3 on Twitter. I am trying to get some buzz going. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply. Now, about that swag...

The Groundhog Blues: Winter 2013 Releases - Alternative

2013-04-17T11:57:00.000-04:00

We continue with our announcement of the second quarter releases in the eligibility pool of the 4th Platinum Vinyl Awards. Within a few weeks we will be having our Third Awards, so you know these are a year off. We are announcing the Alternative genre this time, and ten releases made the cut this quarter.

Alternative Rock

Audio Adrenaline - Kings & Queens
Daniel Bashta - The Invisible
Fiction Family - Fiction Family Reunion
Hearts of Saints - For All of Us
Plumb - Need You Now
Salvador - Make Some Noise
Starflyer 59 - IAMACEO
Terra, Terra, Terra - The Space We Create
Vota - Love Found Me
Wavorly - Something Like Fiction: The Lost Albums

As only seven albums make the final cut, we have enough entrants here alone if we wanted to. Two of these will be assured a spot in the finals. Both Terra x 3 and Audio A scored a perfect 5. The rest will have to wait.

One other thing. Some may wonder why Dance Queen Plumb is here. Simple, need you now sure didn't feel like a dance album. This one hearkened back to the alternative beginnings, with a bit of pop thrown in. Three more to go. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

How is your Color Theory?

2013-04-16T16:39:00.001-04:00

Sometimes even Twitter surprises me. I was checking my email the other day. Yes I know its not cool anymore, but I find it useful. I get an email notice when I get a new follower. This one said Brian Hazard is now following you. I checked it out and Brian Hazard IS Color Theory. In the electronic world everyone can be a one man band. I found out about Color Theory through the Electropop Sampler. That was back in 1998. In light of all the "retirements" from Christian Music these days, its good to see some still hang tough, especially the fringe, where fans are loyal but few. The music is always happy, and even has a few moments of snark, as in the Song Named After a Girl (Sweet Caroline, anyone?)

Color Theory is offering some free songs for a song (or at least an email). Four songs for free. I have embedded the widget so you can take care of it right from here. Right now there are plenty of reasons for some happy tunes. Check it out.

free downloads by Color Theory

The Groundhog Blues: Winter 2013 Releases - Dance

2013-04-11T18:45:00.000-04:00

We move on now to our single genre postings. Though there is no cut and dried number, I think if a genre can come up with over 5 qualified entries then it deserves to shine on its own. Since Hip Hop had only five it was teamed with rock.

Dance had seven. Now the final breakdown hasn't been made, so I don't know which of the two subgroups these are in now (in this years Platinum Vinyl Awards Dance has been split into Dance-Synthpop and Electronic-Industrial). Anyway, here is the list.

Dance Music

Arrows & Sound - Arrows and Sound
Capital Kings - Capital Kings [+digital booklet]
Byron "Mr. Talkbox" Chambers - Show Me the Way
Andy Hunter - Glowing Collision
Britt Nicole - Gold EP
Twenty One Pilots - Vessel
V.Rose - The Electro-Pop Deluxe

Britt Nicole has two entries in two different categories. Though both are named Gold, this one is a remix EP while the other is a full length album. These were all great releases, though you always got to think that Andy Hunter is among the big contenders. We still have Alternative, Hard Rock, Modern Worship and Adult Contemporary to go. And they are big. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

The Groundhog Blues: Winter 2013 Releases - Rapping Rock

2013-04-09T18:00:00.000-04:00

We continue with the announcement of those releases that made the cut for the eligibility pool of the Platinum Vinyl Awards. This is the last multiple genre post. This time we will combine Rap and Rock. Not really an unheard of mix, as hip hop and rap are getting more rock influenced by the day. Not that I mind.

Rock was a very surprising entrant this time. Maybe having alternative siphons off too many, but having only two entrants for the pool from here in three months was a little surprising.

Rock Music

Colton Dixon - A Messenger
I am Empire - Anchors

Colton Dixon is one of many American Idol castoffs (Hello Mandisa) to grace Christian Music. Personally, my fave so far is Brooke Barretsmith.

Hip Hop/Rap

Alert 312 - Of Vice & Virtue
Sho Baraka - Talented 10th
Byron "Mr. Talkbox" Chambers - Show Me the Way
Je'kob - Faith Hope Love (The Eutopian Mixes)
Canton Jones - CJ Talks

Rock and Hip Hop are done. Considering that there were no children's music entries this time around, out of 10 genres, we are done with 5 in two posts. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

The Groundhog Blues: Winter 2013 Releases - Pops Folk Gospel

2013-04-05T18:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the release announcement of the eligibility pool for the Platinum Vinyl Awards from the Winter of 2013 (That's January-March folks). Due to the random distribution of entries, some categories may be missed or have very few entries in each quarter. This quarter was no exception, as there were no Children's Music Entries and very few for Folk, Gospel, Pop and Rock. As is my custom here, I will attempt to combine posts as best I can to make things satisfying.

Today we will reveal the eligible releases for Folk Music, Gospel, and Pop Music.

Folk/Folk Rock

Steven Curtis Chapman - Deep Roots
JJ Heller - Loved (Deluxe Version)

Heller is almost perpetual in this category, though she has strayed into pop territory from time to time. Deep roots may surprise some SCC fans, as he is a AC staple. Deep roots is Folk with a few Country forays. Not enough to get my gag reflex going, though.

Gospel/R&B

Canton Jones - CJ Talks
William Murphy - God Chaser

CJ Talks, despite the title, is not spoken word. It is a live album from the Dominionaire tour. Finally, we come to Pop Music. This genre is usually well represented, but it was a little light this time around.

Pop Music

Carman - Anthems of a Champion
Britt Nicole - Gold
Plumb - Need You Now
Tal and Acacia - Black and White

Two things of note here. This Britt Nicole release is not the same as the Gold EP. That release is a dance remix (several of them) of the song Gold. Plum is a little hard to classify this time around. She went more pop than dance, and is a bit more alternative, like at the start. She is a multiple qualifier.

That concludes this genre. More will be coming. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

The Night Beat Spring Preview

2013-04-01T19:30:00.000-04:00

The Temperature is Rising, and so is the pace of the new releases. Winter ended with a bang, not just in the real world, where the biggest snows hit after Punxatawney Phil predicted an early Spring (we know where you live, buddy), but also in the music world. Three perfect albums were released in March. Andy Hunter's Glowing Collision, Audio Adrenaline's Kings and Queens, and JJ Heller's Loved.

April brings promise. The month begins with another reboot, though not as extensive as Audio Adrenaline. Hawk Nelson returns with Made, the first studio release since Crazy Love, and, more importantly, the first release since the departure of Jason Dunn, who was a founding member of the band. Most members of a band are replaceable, but it's always the toughest with the vocalist position. My early opinions of Made are very good.

Two Platinum winners also make their return. Kerrie Roberts says that it's Time for the show, the follow up to her self titled debut, for which she won the inaugural PVA's Best New Artist Award. In between she did an EP called Once Upon A Time for the ABC show of the same name. This should be worth the wait. Silverline was the unofficial winner of Rock Song of the Year that year with "Voices in the Night" (we didn't have a song category until the second year. The song was a great homage to Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The rest of the album gave me mixed feelings, so I will be testing this one.

April also brings a new "Thread" to The Letter Black. Rebuild comes out the day after my birthday, and it marks the first release of this band without "hanging on" in the title. Previews of songs on youtube are promising.

May brings the return of Texas alternative act Eisley. Their foray into Deep Space wasn't award winning, but it was intriguing enough to make the pool. I expect no less from this release.

Finally, Spring gets closed out and the summer begins on a loud note. Skillet finally returns with Rise. Let's see, Collide, Comatose, Awake, Rise. We seem to be in a day in the life with titles. I guess a rose by any other name.

It will be enough to keep me busy, and the Platinum Vinyl Awards as well. To rip off Kerrie Roberts, Time for the Show. I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Night Beat Rewind: March 2013

2013-03-29T18:00:00.000-04:00

March brings us to the midway point of eligibility for the 4th Annual Platinum Vinyl Awards. For those new readers of the WENC Night Beat, the Platinum Vinyl Awards, now in its fourth year, runs from October 1 - September 30.

Before we get to the entries a little housecleaning. Sparrow Records released a series of Greatest Hits albums this month, entitled "Icon", and the initial releases were of Steven Curtis Chapman, Amy Grant, Newsboys, and CeCe Winans. As Amazon is carrying them in CD only and no samples were available, they receive no rating and are not eligible. Also among the unrated and ineligible releases are new "Deluxe Editions" of KJ-52 Dangerous (made initial pool for current awards), and Francesca Battistelli's Hundred More Years (made the second PVA pool). For the same reasons as the Icon series, these are also unrated. There is one last ineligible release, and that is Family Force Five, The Third. Not only couldn't I find a audio sample, it is just a rearranged version of III, which didn't get into the pool. Now onto those that did get an Emerald Rating, though it wasn't high enough and it is said that these releases are:

Missing The Mark

Phil King - Phil King 3.75 Emeralds
Don Moen - The Ultimate Collection 3.75 Emeralds
Alexis Spright - L.O.L. (Living Out Loud) 3.50 Emeralds
Various Artists - The Bible: Music Inspired By The Epic Mini Series 3.75 Emeralds
Various Artists - Jesus, Firm Foundation: Hymns of Worship [+digital booklet] 3.75 Emeralds
Various Artists - Nashville Publicity Group Presents Ten 3.75 Emeralds
Various Artists - iWorship Now/Next 3.75 Emeralds

Now once again, all of these releases are pretty good. It's just that pretty good isn't enough to make the cut among the Platinum Vinyl Awards. On the complete other end of the spectrum are those albums that completely wowed me. These albums are

Pure Platinum

Audio Adrenaline - Kings & Queens [+video] 5 Emeralds
Andy Hunter - Glowing Collision 5 Emeralds
JJ Heller - Loved (Deluxe Version) 5 Emeralds

Of course not all albums are perfect, and not all albums miss the mark. Most of them lie somewhere in between, in a place we call

Semi-Precious Metal

The Advice - The Advice 4.25 Emeralds
Bethel Music - Without Words [+video] 4.75 Emeralds
Citizens - Citizens 4.50 Emeralds
I am Empire - Anchors 4.50 Emeralds
Fit For A King - Creation/Destruction 4.75 Emeralds
Hope for the Dying - Aletheia 4.75 Emeralds
Kingdom - Kingdom 4.50 Emeralds
Shawn McDonald - The Analog Sessions 4.25 Emeralds
Glenn Packiam - The Mystery Of Faith 4.50 Emeralds
Passion - Passion: Let the Future Begin (Deluxe Edition) [+video] 4.50 Emeralds
Seventh Day Slumber - Love & Worship 4.50 Emeralds
Stryper - Second Coming (Re-Recorded) 4.75 Emeralds
Various - Worship Central: Let It Be Known (Live) 4.75 Emeralds
JJ Weeks Band - All Over the World 4.50 Emeralds
Darlene Zschech - Revealing Jesus 4.75 Emeralds

That completes this edition of Night Beat Rewind. No Fooling. It's nice to be up to date and on schedule right now. Click on the linked titles to buy from Amazon and support The Night Beat at the same time. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Jade Kerrion Book Tour

2013-03-27T15:03:00.000-04:00

Jade Kerrion's two newest novels, Earth-Sim and When the Silence Ends, are pulling in fantastic reviews. Please take a moment to checkthem out and take advantage of the book launch sale. Keep reading to find the coupon code!

EARTH-SIM

Amazon Rating: 4.8 Stars (13 reviews)</

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Was the super-continent of Pangaea split because of a management dispute? Is the biblical flood the earliest evidence of why "technology and water don't mix"? If you always suspected that mass extinctions, such as the Black Death, had an otherworldly reason, you just might be right. Is there a real message hidden in the
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When the Silence Ends

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title="When The Silence Ends" src="http://www.jadekerrion.com/wp-content/
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height="300" />When you choose your friends, you also choose your enemies.

Seventeen-year old Dee wants nothing more than to help her twin brother, Dum, break free from the trauma in their childhood and speak again, but the only person who can help Dum is the alpha empath, Danyael Sabre, whom the U.S. government considers a terrorist and traitor. The search for Danyael will lead Dee and Dum from the sheltered protection of the Mutant Affairs Council and into the violent, gang-controlled heart of Anacostia.

Ensnared by Danyael’s complicated network of friends and enemies, Dee makes her stand in a political and social war that she is ill equipped to fight. What can one human, armed only with her wits and pepper spray, do against the super-powered mutants who dominate the Genetic Revolution?

America, nevertheless, is ripe for transformation. Exhausted by decades of belligerence between humans and their genetic derivatives--the clones, in vitros, and mutants--society is on the verge of falling apart or growing up. Dee, with her sassy attitude and smart mouth, is the unwitting pebble that starts the avalanche of change. In her quest to help her brother become normal, Dee will finally learn what it means to be extraordinary.

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God Save The Kings and Queens

2013-03-25T19:26:00.000-04:00

Reboots are all the rage these days. Sometimes they work. Take Batman for example. The Dark Knight may be a little tough to take for some, especially when your first introduction to the superhero was the Adam West TV Show. Still, if you've ever gotten ahold of some of the early comics, and I saw them in a library book a long time ago, Superman was a vigilante who really wasn't all to concerned if the police got to arrest the criminal, only that he was stopped. So it actually is closer to original intent. Then there are times that it doesn't work. Take the new Spiderman. Now, I admit, Emma Stone is cute, but how can you have Spidey without Mary Jane. Plus it really got bogged down in back story, IMHO.

Which brings me to Audio Adrenaline. When the band broke up back in 2006 it shocked a lot of fans, and we pretty much despaired of ever seeing Audio A. again. It was strike two for anyone who liked DC Talk. Combine with that a big Breakup in the punk world with Bleach a few years before that and it seemed that Christian Rock was in a big time decline.

The only thing that died was DC Talk, but the band has, by its death, Resurrected Christian Rock. First came the solo act known as TobyMac, bringing the Rap/Rock sound mainstream, and incidentally killing Rap Music by making it an offshoot of Rock. Michael Tait had a brief solo career as well but that quickly fizzled. But now he has come into his own as lead vocalist for Newsboys. Then there was the third member of the group. Kevin Max. Like Toby Mac he seemed to have a thriving career as a solo artist, and that unique "shimmering" voice seemed to be a good fit for alternative. No one would have called him a rock singer. But they would be wrong.

The Audio Adrenaline reboot, entitled Kings & Queens [+video] is pure genius. Surviving original member Will McGinnis knew they couldn't sell a reformed band singing old songs for long, so he blew it up. Recruiting former members of Superchick and Bleach and K-Max on vocals, the new edition has been tailored to Maxes voice. By way of comparison, go to my Flashback Friday post on the band for a look at the "Classic" sound.

This album got my "Wow" Meter Broken. The only thing linking the two Audio Adrenaline's is the name, and that's a good thing. Both are superior products so there can be no comparison. In retrospect 5 Emeralds seems too low, but that's as high as the meter goes. Kings and Queens is lacking in "adrenaline" but Kevin Max isn't a screamer. The lyrics shine here. There's even a bit of snark.

"A new face, all new friends, a new medicine. I don't need a big big house, a new job, with the same benefits."
"It's a Christian ship but she's sinking quick. Now my life's a mess and I want to change it".

Now don't tell me that it's a coincidence that Audio A's first hit was Big House. Or That Kevin Max had a poem at the end of Supernatural that was called "there's a treason at sea". A little bit of attitude prevails.

Click on the highlighted album title to get the download through Amazon and support the Night Beat at the same time. Welcome Back Audio Adrenaline. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Night Beat Rewind: February 2013

2013-03-19T18:00:00.000-04:00

It always happens this time of year. I know, for a Word of Faith person this sure is a bad confession. Good or bad, it's a fact. When you're a one person operation, trying to keep up with new releases while doing an awards ceremony for the past year is pretty daunting. As long as I don't get two months behind during these months, I'm doing okay.

As always, we begin with those albums which will not make the next nominating pool. Those in effect which are

Missing The Mark

Christine D'Clario - Deeper 3.75 Emeralds
Kutless - The Worship Collection 3.75 Emeralds
Red - Release The Panic 3.75 Emeralds
Those Who Fear - Unholy Anger 3.75 Emeralds

As always, these are all near misses. Not too many turkeys out there. The industry does a pretty good job keeping the pretenders (not the British Band featuring Chrissie Hynde) out. On the other hand, there are the wow moments, or those releases that are

Pure Platinum

V. Rose - The Electro-Pop Deluxe 5 Emeralds

This is the perfect example of a great dance album. Featured appearances by everyone under the sun, including +Beckah Shae. Of course, most albums fall somewhere in the middle, an area we refer to at The Night Beat as:

Semi-Precious Metal

And this month did not disappoint, as we had nineteen releases pop up here, most in the very high range, which is a very good thing.

Arrows and Sound - Arrows and Sound 4.75 Emeralds
Daniel Bashta - The Invisible 4.50 Emeralds
Jeremy Camp - Reckless 4.50 Emeralds
Steven Curtis Chapman - #1's Volume 2 4.50 Emeralds
Hillsong United - Zion 4.50 Emeralds
Je'kob - Faith, Hope, Love 4.75 Emeralds
Canton Jones - CJ Talks 4.75 Emeralds
William Murphy - God Chaser 4.75 Emeralds
Newsong - Swallow The Ocean - 4.50 Emeralds
Britt Nicole - Gold 4.50 Emeralds
Plumb - Need You Now 4.75 Emeralds
Salvador - Make Some Noise 4.75 Emeralds
Sanctus Real - Run 4.50 Emeralds
Jenny Simmons - The Becoming 4.75 Emeralds
Spoken - Illusion 4.50 Emeralds
Tal and Acacia - Black and White 4.75 Emeralds
Various Artists - Mars Hill Music Worship Sampler 4.75 Emeralds
Various Artists - Love Never Fails 4.50 Emeralds
Paul Wilbur - Your Great Name 4.50 Emeralds

That concludes this edition of Night Beat Rewind. I'm glad that this is going out before April. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

The Nominations Begin: Rap Video of The Year

2013-03-13T18:00:00.000-04:00

Now that the electronic categories are completed, we move on to Rap Music, and its more rock like (and Dance Like) sibling, Hip Hop. The Nominations for Video of The Year in the genre of Hip Hop and Rap are:

Fighter by +Manafest

Goodbye by +JSon

I'm Good by +trip lee

Lord Have Mercy (Feat Tedashii) by +Lecrae Moore

They like Me by KJ-52

That concludes this category. Next up is more hard stuff, as the nominations for Hard Rock or Metal Video are next. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

The Nominations Begin: Electronic/Industrial Video of The Year

2013-03-12T18:00:00.000-04:00

Just because something is created on a synthesizer doesn't mean that it's dance music. It usually is but sometimes it is Trance (which just puts you into one), or Ambient (mood music), darkwave and Industrial (hard and loud). This is to honor those pioneers in music.

The nominees for the 3rd Annual Platinum Vinyl Award for Electronic/Industrial Video of The Year are:

Black Heart Hearse by White Collar Sideshow

Find Me by Anchor and Braille

Poison and Wine (Civil Wars Cover) by Satellites and Sirens

Spiral (feat Beth Bullock) by Andy Hunter

Sublime Currency by Abandoned Pools

That concludes the Electronic/Industrial Video Nominations. Hip Hop and Rap is next. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

The Nominations Begin: Dance/Synthpop Video of The Year

2013-03-11T18:18:00.000-04:00

Nominations for the Electronic/Dance category this year were so large, and the field not just in Dance, that it necessitated splitting the category in two. We begin with Dance/Synthpop. Of course we are in the Video Awards at present here on the blog.

The Nominations for Dance/Synthpop Video of the Year are:

He Said by Group 1 Crew

Let it Go by Satellites and Sirens

Time (Spiral Galaxy Mix) by The Washington Projects

Toes by Lights

Zombie by Family Force Five

That concludes part one of the new electronic music genres. Next up is Electronic/Industrial. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

The Nominations Begin: Pop Video of The Year

2013-03-09T11:44:00.000-05:00

We continue with the Video Nominations, moving on to Pop Music. Once again, after watching, please use the comments below to cast a vote. I am trying to put an audience participation element in this years awards. And the nominees are:

Courageous by Casting Crowns

The Rescue by Adam Cappa

Scientists in Japan by Sara Groves

Secrets Don't Make Friends by Rocky Loves Emily

Watch over me by Holly Spears

Those are the five nominees. Right now I want you to vote for your favorite by making a comment below. Your vote will help pick the winner this year. Until the next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

The Nominations Begin: Alternative Video of The Year

2013-03-07T18:00:00.000-05:00

We always try to mix things up at the WENC Night Beat, and what better time then at Award Season. The third Platinum Vinyl Award is almost upon us, and the nominations are in. This year we begin the Music Video Awards, and there are genre based awards for Alternative, Pop, Dance/Synthpop, Electronic/Industrial, Hip-Hop/Rap, Hard Rock/Metal, and Rock, as well as General Field Video Awards in Video by a Male Artist, Video by a Female Artist, Video by a New Artist, and Video of The Year.

I would really like to encourage an audience vote this year, and this is one of the best ways I can figure on doing it. I am going to check on the possibilities of using +SoundCloud as a possibility of bringing in Song of The Year participation. I would suggest using the comments as your vote.

We begin with Alternative Video of The Year. By alternative, we mean Alternative Rock, not some strange new way of shooting video. There are only Five nominees per category, if we can make it, not the usual seven we try for. Here we go, in no particular order of odds. (Actually, I was trying to go alphabetical by song).

And the nominations for Alternative Video of The Year for the 3rd Platinum Vinyl Award are:

Daylight by Run, Kid, Run.

Find Me by Anchor and Braille

My Name is Eustace by Benjamin Dunn and the Animal Orchestra

The Proof of Your Love by For King and Country

Summer Forgets Me by Deas Vail

That gets things started here on the Blog. The Awards, as well as the nominations, will have a multiple pronged announcement. I am currently going through them all on Facebook, Google + and soon, on Twitter as well. Along with right here for Video announcement and voting and the complete list on the nomination page. Let the voting begin, and, as always, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

We Need Now to be faster than a bullet

2013-03-04T18:03:00.001-05:00

Bands, as well as musical styles, tend to go through phases. No better example exists in the Christian Music world is Petra. You can build a musical biography by studying their albums. At 40 years they have experienced it all.

The subject of today's post has gone through a few phases. The name of the artist is Tiffany Arbuckle Lee, but she is popularly known by her stage name, Plumb.

Need You Now (How Many Times) marks the beginning of Plumb's Third Act, so to speak. The First Act began in 1997 With the eponymous release. Plumb was a band at the time, and Tiffany was the vocalist. It was sort of an alt-rock band, with Tiffany going into talk box sound from time to time. It was followed up with Candycoatedwaterdrops (1999). From the opening notes of Late Great Planet Earth, you knew we were in different territory. It was a career maker.

But then there was a falling out, and Plumb disappeared from the CCM scene, but re-emerged in 2003 as the queen of the dance floor. Now married, and recording on Curb Records, she came out with two synthpop dance classics Beautiful Lumps Of Coal (2003) and Chaotic Resolve (2006), along with Blink (2007), most likely the only Children's Music Album that received significant radio play thanks to hits like "In My Arms". Children's Dance Music in a lot of cases.

Now comes Need You Now. Originally the album was to be entitled Faster Than a Bullet, but the Sandy Hook Massacre changed all that, and Mama Tiffany thought it best to remove the bullet reference, even though it refers back to Superman, and he was a good guy. Need You Now sounds so bland.

Thankfully it is only a title, and the album is anything but bland. Plum has left the dance floor. The new album is a mix of Adult Contemporary, Pop, and alternative, with only two of the 13 cuts dance. Even so, it marks the stretching of Plumb's talents, because you get to see everything she is capable of.

In the final analyses, I am going to give Need You Now a near perfect 4.75 Emeralds. The album grew on me, and I liked it more with each listen. It would be perfect if it was Faster Than a Bullet, but that's just my opinion. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

P.S. - I would like to Welcome back all my +Triberr peeps back to the Night Beat Fold. I thought I had been abandoned, but the fault was mine. I just discovered a 1 blog per tribe rule. Since I now have two blogs, things can't go auto. I am back in business.

Time To Panic

2013-02-20T16:21:00.000-05:00

I think that Record Companies need to start discovering bands once again. I know what you're thinking. Don't they do that all the time. Maybe some do, but the recent practice seems to be that they sign an independent band that has plugging around the concert scene for perhaps 5 or 10 years, and then when they don't really go on to super-stardom, they break up. It's time to retire they say. Retire, they've only been in the public eye for 2 or 3 years. Yeah, it was the 15 years in obscurity that really took the toll. At least when you discover somebody that just formed, you expect the first record to stink, and you let time work to mature you, and like Petra, you're around for 40 years.

Which brings me to RED. The band came to the attention of The Night Beat right from the start, thanks to internet radio. (If it was up to local CCM radio, nothing harder than the Talley Trio would cross these ears. Talk about a puke-fest).

End Of Silence started things off in 2006. No band could more artfully blend Hard Music and Orchestral Strings. It became RED's trademark. Especially with a song like Breathe Into Me (re done acoustically on the current album) and Already Over. Also, you can't deny, it's one of the most honest titles out there. Could things get better than this?

The answer came three years later. It was all a matter of Innocence & Instinct. The only word to describe this album is "Masterpiece". It should have been the "Fallen Moment" for red, you know, multi platinum stardom. 260,000 sold is a bit short. Still, any rock fan should have this album. Get the deluxe version with DVD if you can.

Until We Have Faces and Faceless appeared two years later. The Hymn for the Missing is hauntingly beautiful. Not as good as the first two, but still, a recognizable RED album.

Now comes Release The Panic , and I want to scream, "WHAT HAPPENED TO RED!!!" Somebody must have kidnapped the band and impersonated them in the recording studio. The Red Sound is gone. Thank god they escaped and took control before the album got released and so they return by track 7, but why keep those first 6 tracks. There wont be any real keepers with this album. It's the first Red Album that wont make the initial pool of the PVA's much less win. Panic Folks, Red seems to be in a tailspin. Maybe we can get a great album next year. This is good, average, okay 3.75 Emeralds. It becometh not Red.

Night Beat Rewind: January 2013

2013-02-18T18:00:00.000-05:00

The time for the first edition of Night Beat Rewind for 2013 is at hand. January was a very active month this year, and that is not always the case. Usually things ramp up slowly. There were twenty-seven releases this past month, and not surprisingly, almost all of them went into the initial pool. I'm usually pretty generous this time of the year, and it makes for a lot of work at the end.

As always, we begin with those albums which

Missed The Mark

There were only two this time around, and remember, these aren't bad releases, just not outstanding. Don't worry, I'll let you know if they stink.

The Hymns Collective - Season One 3.75 Emeralds
Karyn Williams - Only You 3.75 Emeralds

One note. Karyn Williams is just a wider release. It was released back in August 2012, which would have put it in this years running. I Still haven't changed my mind.

More surprising than the fact that only two missed the mark is that there were two albums which in my estimation are worthy of

Pure Platinum

What's even more amazing is that one of them was a worship album. That just hasn't happened around here. The key to this one is the fact that the album came off as a "Worship Experience", not just as a bunch of worship songs.

Terra, Terra, Terra - The Space We Create 5 Emeralds
Kim Walker - Smith - Still Believe 5 Emeralds

Most of the releases, as is always the case, were neither good nor bad, but somewhere in the middle. I like to call these releases

Semi-Precious Metal

As always, there are a lot of these, twenty-one of them this time around.

Alert 312 - Vice and Virtue 4.50 Emeralds
Meredith Andrews - Worth It All 4.75 Emeralds
Capital Kings - Capital Kings 4.50 Emeralds
Carman - Anthems of A Champion 4.25 Emeralds
Casting Crowns - Acoustic Sessions, Volume 1 4.25 Emeralds
Byron "Mr. Talkbox" Chambers - Show Me The Way EP 4.50 Emeralds
Dynasty - Beyond Measure 4.75 Emeralds
Colton Dixon - A Messenger 4.50 Emeralds
The Ember Days - More Than You Think 4.75 Emeralds
Fiction Family - Fiction Family Reunion 4.75 Emeralds
Hearts of Saints - For All of Us 4.75 Emeralds
Love and Death - Between Here and Lost 4.75 Emeralds
Britt Nicole - Gold EP 4.25 Emeralds
Overcome - No Reserves, No Retreats, No Regrets 4.25 Emeralds
Planetshakers - Limitless 4.75 Emeralds
Rend Collective Experiment - Campfire: Worship and Community Reimagined 4.75 Emeralds
Sho Baraka - Talented 10th 4.50 Emeralds
Starflyer 59 - IAMACEO 4.50 Emeralds
Chris Tomlin - Burning Lights 4.50 Emeralds
Twenty One Pilots - Vessel 4.50 Emeralds
Various - From The Inside Out 4.50 Emeralds
Vota - Love Found Me 4.50 Emeralds
Wavorly - Something Like Fiction (The Lost Albums) 4.50 Emeralds

That concludes the January 2013 edition of Night Beat Rewind. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Its a long way to coupleary

2013-02-13T18:00:00.000-05:00

I know, it's supposed to be Tipperary, but this is about Valentines Day. In honor of single guys everywhere, I have declared the first 16 or 17 days of February to be called Coupleary and give permission for them to be ignored. No more guilt trips.

Singleness does have its upside. Every year I save an average of $300 (just like I saved around $20K on a car last year by not buying one). Now I noticed the other day that Ash Wednesday is on February 13th. I'd like to see some poor sap try to use that for why he didn't get roses. "We're giving that up for lent." You know it's a tough call when it causes the Pope to say Take this job and shove it.

As a music blogger, I find a lot in lyrics, and while I would love to be like Rel Paul and say:

Girl you got me thinking, God must really love me
to give me someone like you, you, to really love me
hey hey hey, Oh, I'm like hey hey hey

And If I was really romantic, I'd go for Disciple's Kevin Young

So baby let's go dancing across the sky tonight
cause no mountain could keep me from your arms tonight
of all the things in my life, that I could rewrite,
I wouldn't trade a moment with you

Despite all the awww. There are plenty of things I'd trade. He's got his girl. While I'm a happy guy, when I get down around this time of year I sometimes agree with Cloud 2 Ground.

It's gonna be the last time I listen to my heart
cause it lied, and you lied
and I'm tired that I wont cry, I wont cry
look what you've done
I was crazy for you, so crazy for you.

And despite the years, I will agree with Skillet that

The older I get, will I get over it
it's been way to long for the times we missed
I can't believe it still hurts like this but I think
the older I get maybe I'll get over it
it's been way to long for the times we missed
I can't believe it still hurts like this.

While there is a certain someone I think about as I play woulda coulda shoulda, there are two others who could fit as well. My first crush was a girl in my church by the name of Tina Cavaleri. I was 13, I think she was 15 or 16. You know what that means. She didn't know I was alive. One time when our church got in a hugging mode I gave her a hug during service. Let's just say I now know what it's like to hug a dead fish.

At around the same time, there was another girl, Lori Ann Pierce, one of the Pastor's daughters. She was a cute petite blonde of around 12 or 13 and had a crush on me. Between the fact that I go for brunettes, and Tina was one, and she was somewhat younger, I didn't know she was alive. It was a double edged sword anyway.

If things go well: You are in. With the Church and Heaven. You may be a favorite son in law and even make Pastor someday.
If they don't: You can't even imagine the level of hell you'll be assigned to.

Lori's the only girl I could blackmail by saying that "She fell asleep on my lap." In reality she lay her head on my lap and fell to sleep while the youth group was returning from a trip to see a musical. I believe it was "The Missionary of Oz". It was in the pre -seat belt law era. Oh well. Woulda coulda shoulda.

February the 15th is almost here. That's when the Candy goes half-price.

The WENC Night Beat

#PlatVnyl3 - Video of The Year

#PlatVnyl3 - Song of The Year

#PlatVnyl3 - Female Vocalist of The Year

#PlatVnyl3 - Male Vocalist of The Year

#PlatVnyl3 - The Pre-Show Album Awards

#PlatVnyl3 - The Award Show Survivor

The Groundhog Blues: Winter 2013 Releases - Alternative

Alternative Rock

How is your Color Theory?

The Groundhog Blues: Winter 2013 Releases - Dance

Dance Music

The Groundhog Blues: Winter 2013 Releases - Rapping Rock

Rock Music

Hip Hop/Rap

The Groundhog Blues: Winter 2013 Releases - Pops Folk Gospel

Folk/Folk Rock

Gospel/R&B

Pop Music

The Night Beat Spring Preview

Night Beat Rewind: March 2013

Missing The Mark

Pure Platinum

Semi-Precious Metal

Jade Kerrion Book Tour

EARTH-SIM

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When the Silence Ends

Find Jade Kerrion at Website / href="http://www.facebook.com/JadeKerrion" target="_blank">Facebook</ a> / target="_blank">Twitter

God Save The Kings and Queens

Night Beat Rewind: February 2013

Missing The Mark

Pure Platinum

Semi-Precious Metal

The Nominations Begin: Rap Video of The Year

The Nominations Begin: Electronic/Industrial Video of The Year

The Nominations Begin: Dance/Synthpop Video of The Year

The Nominations Begin: Pop Video of The Year

The Nominations Begin: Alternative Video of The Year

We Need Now to be faster than a bullet

Time To Panic

Night Beat Rewind: January 2013

Missed The Mark

Pure Platinum

Semi-Precious Metal

Its a long way to coupleary

Find Jade Kerrion at Website / href="http://www.facebook.com/JadeKerrion" target="_blank">Facebook</
a> / target="_blank">Twitter