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 the vinyl. The new CD and Vinyl are now a Best of The Insiders giving us the 9-10 songs from the 8 years of The Insiders CD series they had started 8 years earlier. 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. Then in February 2024, we got the 3rd Edition and a year later in February 2025, we get the 4th Edition. And if you have figured out the trend now, February 2026 we get the 5th Edition. And I have them all…
This time around, we 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 but that gives me all five of those as well…
You also got a handful of other items including including a 2026 calendar…
A great “Needtobreathe” canvas bag…it is really nice…high quality…
If that wasn’t cool enough, you get a “Needtobreathe” Vinyl Now Playing Holder. It is made of wood and is another really nice, high quality extra. I will only use it when I play my Needtobreathe vinyl…I have quite a few of those as well as I have every album they’ve ever released on vinyl too…
The last set of things are surprises from earlier club years. However, I have these already so for them it is a cheap way to add to the package without it costing them more money. For me, I got a note book and a beer koozie. I wonder if other people received anything different….
SIDE A:
The album kicks off with “Money & Fame” off The Insiders 2022 digital releases. It was recorded in Mineral City, OH on July 20, 2007. An upbeat pop rock song with a great live energy. Bear Rinehart sounds so good live, as good as the album work and sometimes even better. Up next is “Reaching Out To Find You” which was recorded on the Rock Boat on January 26, 2023. This one is from the The Insiders 2024. That is two songs that haven’t been released physically yet to kick off this album. That is a great way to start tings off. This is a slower song off the album ‘Caves’ and when this band slows things down, it really heats things up.
“When The Levee Breaks” features singer Matthew Mayfield. Matthew toured with Needtobreathe back in 2009. This song was taken from that tour on October 11in Greenville, SC and I believe it is off the Insiders Vol. V LP. Some great guitar work to open it off. A slow build and you can feel the excitement building along with it. This Led Zeppelin cover rocks out, but only in a way Needtobreathe can rock out and let me tell you, then can rock it with the best of them. Matthew and Bear share verses and the band all come in for the chorus. I love these covers since you can’t get them on their albums.
The final song on the first side is “Riding High” is also taken from The Insiders 2022 album. It was recorded in New Orleans, LA on May 24, 2022 and the original studio is off their album ‘Out of Body’. It is a straight-up southern rock song and back to the roots of the band. It is a fun song and nice to have an upbeat rocker with some great guitar picking and keyboards. These type of songs played live really get the crowd energized and the band plays off that energy and makes it even better.
SIDE B:
“White Fences” kicks off Side 2. This is yet another from The Insiders 2022 and I’m okay with that because those were only digital released songs so now I have a physical release of the song. This one was recorded in Knoxville, TN on April 13, 2013. Some great mandolin playing the kick it off. A great driving beat, this country-styled song chugs along and when you get to that chorus you are lifted up and it feels like going to church.
Next up is the song “Able” recorded in Washington D.C. on April 21, 2012. This was is taken from Insiders LP, Vol. 6. “Able” is off one of my favorite Needtobreathe albums, ‘The Reckoning’. This is done on piano by Josh Lovelace. A laid back song with a lot of religious context to it. Bear simply slays it with his gravely vocals accompanied by some more great, yet subtle guitar work. A really powerful song.
“Great Night” is off The Insiders 2021 digital releases. It was recorded on December 9, 2017 in Chicago, IL. It is a rocking song normally, but this is from an acoustic show. Therefore, you get a stripped down acoustic versions, and they still happen to make it have a lot of punch. This is a song that would normally get you moving and acoustically, you still want to move. I think the harmonica helps you want to move too.
We keep The Insiders 2021 going with “Multiplied (Acoustic)” recorded in Colorado Springs, CO on April 15, 2019. This one starts off with some incredible guitar picking on an acoustic. Bear’s vocals simply shine on this one. The lyrics will resonate throughout you and give you the chills at time. The band take an already incredible song and make it that much better. Stunning!!
The final song here is “The Weight” is of The Insiders LP, Vol. 2 and is a great collaborative song. It is performed with the bands Switchfoot, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors as well as Colony House. It is a stripped down version, and has an a cappela style to it. A good old American folk style song sung by a collection of great artists. It is done acoustically and is filled with guitars, a harmonica and some very soulful singing. I only wish I was there to see this as I can see this giving you the feels during the show. A great way to go out on this collection of songs.
And that is it. The way they edited the songs together to sound like them came from the same show as they merged together perfectly. I love these exclusive releases and I love they are autographed. To make it even better you get it on both CD and vinyl so the vinyl can hang on the wall with the autographs and I can listen to the CD. The digital downloads are sweet as well and the extras that come with it are just gravy. A wonderful fan club package that is well worth the price. They have learned how to put value in the membership. If you don’t know them, pull any album up and give it a listen. Thanks for hanging around.
For your information, not only do we have the 5 years of The Insiders Club with the vinyl, prior to that we have 8 years of CD releases. I have all of those except for Vol. 4. If anyone has that one, please let me know as I would be up for purchasing it from you to complete the set…here is everything I have from their Insiders Club with regards to the physical music releases…
