In our special 13th Annual We Love Christian Music Awards (WLA) editorial series, members of the NRT staff discuss this year's nominees. Part 5 of our series begins with a dialogue between NRT Contributors Ryan Adams and Jake Frederick, who discuss the nominees for the Amp Award (Rock Album of the Year) and Rock/Alt Song of the Year.
Public voting is now open through Friday, January 24, 2025, at WeLoveAwards.com. This awards cycle will conclude with a live ceremony on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at The Factory at Franklin in Franklin, Tennessee, where winners will be announced, and performances will feature top nominees. Tickets for the live event are now on sale here.
Amp Award (Rock Album of the Year)
Jake: Ryan, this has been a slower year in the Christian rock genre, but some fantastic stuff has still been released. This year's nominees in the rock category are mostly familiar faces, but we have a newbie with Saved by Skarlet. What do you see moving in the rock world?
Ryan: Hello, Jake. The rock world has not been as active as I hoped, but we still have some great music this year. We’ve also seen a push into more independent bands, even with rock legends Skillet becoming an indie band. I love that we have someone like Saved By Skarlet as a nominee. They’re indie and have some great, heavy stuff. However, popular rock band Spoken helped launch the new XOVR record label with their latest album, Reflection. It’s exciting to see where artists go, indie or labels.
Jake: Skillet becoming an indie band was a surprise this year, but I don’t think it took anything away from their identity in their nominated release, Revolution. Seeing fellow rock band Seventh Day Slumber playing at Winter Jam this year and seeing how their new album, Fractured Paradise, impacted arenas nationwide was incredible. What are some of the songs or moments from these other nominated albums that you think will connect with listeners?
Ryan: One thing that stuck out to me from Skillet’s new album is the song “Happy Wedding Day (Alex’s Song).” It reminded me of “Lucy” from their 2009 album, Awake, which many fans loved. And now, with a song about a wedding, I think an older generation of fans will have a special song they can relate to. We also saw a lot of patriotism in some of their new songs. Otherwise, I think fans of heavier music will like Saved By Skarlet for the more aggressive sound and lyrics on their nominated album, Creation and Crisis. For fans wanting to hear more behind the scenes, XOVR Records performed inspiring interviews with Spoken.
Jake: I think Skillet is the heavyweight in this category, and their fans always come out to support it. However, I’d love to see my dudes over at Seventh Day Slumber make some noise. I’ve spent more time with them this year, and their heart for sharing Jesus is incredible, whether in an arena or a tiny church. Ryan?
Ryan: That is great about them; I love their heart for ministry. I would love for Saved By Skarlet to get some well-deserved love as a lesser-known indie band. Manafest’s nominated album, Learning How to Be Human, sounds like a fan favorite. But it would be no surprise for Skillet to come out on top unless one of the other big names here can ring in more of their fanbase.
Rock/Alt Song of the Year
Jake: The Rock/Alt Song of the Year category encompasses quite a diverse range of sounds, and I love how we see so many creative paths represented by our nominees this year. We have some newer artists peeking into this category this year, along with some familiar faces. What are your initial thoughts on these nominees?
Ryan: It's great to see Big Dismal in the music scene after so long with their nominated single, “Stay in the Fight.” Seventh Day Slumber continues to impress with their single, “My Novocain,” and Manafest is still producing fantastic music with “Glitch In The Matrix,” even after many years. I also enjoyed discovering some creative and unique artists like Gable Price and Friends, who released the single “Newspaper Boat,” and Mr. Weaverface with his single “Above All Names.”
Jake: I don’t remember Big Dismal before their comeback to the music scene. But their nominated track was solid and takes me back to one of my favorite periods of rock. I grew up in the Relient K era, and in my mind, Gable Price and Friends sits in that space, and I’m here for it. The heart behind Seventh Day Slumber’s “My Novocain” gets me every time. What is it about these nominated songs that are connecting with listeners and influencing the genre?
Ryan: Seeing the support for Big Dismal’s return is encouraging because many bands are starting to make music again that we never thought would, from other genres. We should support and highlight them because making a successful comeback is hard. But we support them because their songs are relevant and passionate, and we connect with them. I know there is a new wave of pop-punk style, with Gable Price and Friends and a Homeplate label that highlights musically similar artists. Maybe it’s nostalgia, but I believe it’s the truth and hope they write about what fans want and need.
Jake: Seventh Day Slumber or Manafest have fans that always come out strong to support them, and I would not be surprised if either of them came out on top. That said, I could see any of these artists taking it home. I would love to see Gable Price & Friends get some love this year. Ryan?
Ryan: You’re writing about “My Novacain” being a tear-jerker. It’s a vulnerable song that can hit home for many people. There’s a good chance for them to come out on top. But Manafest has a strong and loyal fanbase, and their fans will love “Glitch in the Matrix.” But Big Dismal could bring back a whole wave of votes from long-time fans.
Assembled from the four corners of North America and many other corners in between, the NRTeam comprises staffers whose energy is equally dispersed towards loving and writing about the music they love.
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