For the 2022 Insiders Club, Needtobreathe changed things up. They were no longer going to release a physical product and only do the Digital Songs only. I stopped being a member right then and there as I want a physical product. Well, I think the backlash was swift and loud as a few months in to the year, that all changed. They decided that there will be a new tier level in the Insiders Club, more expensive of course, but a physical product would be given. This time around instead of only a CD, you will get an autographed vinyl copy as well. They still have the digital songs, which are different then the ones on here. The new CD and Vinyl are now a Best of The Insiders giving us the 10 best songs from the 8 years of The Insiders CD series started. The 1st Edition came in March 2023 almost a year after the announcement, but the band was smart as they went ahead and worked on the 2023 Edition at the same time they were working on the 2022 Edition. We received this vinyl in April 2023. We reviewed the 1st Edition last week so now it is time to review the 2nd Edition.

This time around, we only get 9 songs but you have to remember they are trying to fit them on easily on a vinyl with only a set amount of time, so I’m okay with only 9 songs. We did get the CD again which is unsigned bunch of other goodies including a calendar, some magnets of the band members and even a small notebook and a turntable mat. Lots of cool stuff, but nothing more cool than the autographed copy of the vinyl. Like the first one, this is a very limited quantity as it was exclusive to the Insiders Club VIP group which is more expensive so you figure there are fewer people. Let us get to the music, shall we…

The album opens with “Into the Mystery” recorded in Saratoga, CA on September 12, 2021. This song is from their most recent album of the same name. The song sounds almost perfect like the studio track, but this is live and they just sound that good live. The backing vocals are great. The song actually came from the digital only tracks from the 2022 The Insiders Club.

The second track is “The Heart” recorded in Athens, GA on October 11, 2017 and is from The Insiders Vol. VII which I did review. The band really cranks this one. It is has some great electric guitar, but with a country flair. They are eager to please and tell the crowd they are just going to keep playing all night as long as they keep singing. This is a favorite track to be heard live as it is fun, energetic and the band seems to always have a good time with it. Crank this one as it is a hand-clapping, foot-stomping good time.

“The Reckoning” is another killer track and this one was recorded in Atlanta, GA on February 25, 2012 so it takes you back over a decade. This one was from the very first The Insiders Club CD and one I need to get…one of my Holy Grail items. The band brings out Ben Rector to help out on the song and I love the groove they lay down as his band comes out to join them. They then turn things up and increase the tempo and go all out with this one. I love they way they re-interpret the song as Bear goes a little nuts with this one. Really cool stuff.

Next up is “Wasteland” which was recorded in Gilford, NH on August 23, 2016 which is another one coming from The Insiders 2022 edition and was a digital only track so I needed a physical copy of this one. The song is sped up from the studio track and doesn’t have that dark energy the studio one has. They liven it up and I’ll be honest, I like the darkness of the studio track more, but this is still different and I like new interpretations of a song when it is done live.

The final track on Side A is “Happiness’ which was recorded in Calgary, AB on May 20, 2017 and is off The Insiders Vol. VIII, the final regular CD edition of The Insiders. This takes a very, high energy song and strips it down to its acoustic version. It is slowed down and Bear’s vocals become the most important focus point of the song. Another different take of a song and I like for bands to do this live. They might not always be my favorite versions, but they shake things up and keep it interesting.

Side B kicks off with the “Bear Encore Solo Medley” where he does “Be Here Long”, “Daylight”, “Tyrant Kings”, “We Could Run Away”, “Something Beautiful” and it was recorded in Orlando, FL on October 15, 2016 and was on the 2016 The Insiders Vol. III. What is great about it is you get a song from the first album with “Daylight” and they rarely play the first album and you also get “Tyrant Kings” which is another one that they don’t play very often. I love how Bear says this is one of his favorites songs and he doesn’t get to play it very often, but it is his stage and he is doing what he wants to do. This is the biggest treat of the album as Bear’s vocals really soar and it shows why I am such a huge fan of his and the bands.

He does “We Can Run Away” in his Medley, but we get another longer version here with the song “Today” (A Smashing Pumpkins Cover) also included. This one is off The Insiders Vol. IV and one I’m missing, so at least I have this song here. The bass is real heavy on this one which is a cool change up and I like how they work “Today” into as it does give the song a really cool new feel.

“Suspicion” is up next and was recorded in Birmingham, AL on April 5, 2013 and was off The Insiders, Vol VI and is another one I don’t have. The song is off ‘The Reckoning’ and has some great steel guitar and harmonica and is a mix of country and rock as they really go a little nuts with this one. A fast tempo, high energy performance that would get any crowd in to a frenzy. Not a favorite track of mine studio wise, but this one is a lot of fun and I like it more.

The final track is another one of my favorite Needtobreathe songs called “Washed by the Water” and this one was recorded in Morrison, CO on July 21, 2015. This one is from Red Rocks a bucket list concert venue and is done acoustically to close out that show. It is a song about his dad and his mom (mostly his dad). His dad is a preacher and it is about the fact that his dad made some tough decisions and a lot of people in the congregation spoke out that he was wrong, but funny thing, those people are gone and his dad still is the preacher. He stood by his decision and we got a great song from it. It is a powerful, emotional track with a lot of religious elements and might be one of the best songs they’ve ever written. A song that needs to be heard. And what a great way to end the set!! And the fact they threw some Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” in it, damn!

And there you have it. A new prize in my collection as this might be one of the coolest pieces I have especially along with the 1st Edition. And I am sure it is rather exclusive as the price for this tier Insiders Club is not cheap so I can’t imagine there are many printed. No need rating this as there is no denying it wouldn’t get a top score. A beautiful piece and the vinyl will never be played only displayed on my autograph wall. If I want to hear this one it will be on CD or digital as I’ve burned it to the computer so I can stream in the car as well. Thanks for hanging around.