Needtobreathe – ‘Best of the Insiders: 4th Edition’ (2025)

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 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 four of those as well…

You also got a handful of other items including including a 2025 calendar…

A foam trucker’s hat…

A 500 Piece Puzzle of a live shot of the band…

A Needtobreathe Mug…

And if that wasn’t enough, they threw in a heavy duty bottle opener with the Insiders’ logo…

Like the first three sets, 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 since that is really why we are here…

SIDE A:

The album kicks off with two songs from their debut album. The first, “Shine On” was recorded on November 6, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan and was on Vol. 3 of the Insiders LP. The second, “Don’t Wait for Daylight” was on October 17, 2009 from Houston, Texas and was on Vol. 6. I don’t think they play these songs much anymore so it is always cool to hear live versions of their early songs. The are both upbeat rockers that give the album a great kick in the pants to start things off.

The next track is “Looks Like Love” which was recorded on May 13, 2010 in Denver, Colorado and like the song before, was on Vol. 6. This one is more of a ballad and live there is a real power to it, maybe its how good Bear sounds live, who knows, but always a great one. This one was originally on their sophomore release, ‘The Heat’ from 2007.

Next up is “Wanted Man” recorded on October 14, 2012 and was on Vol. 4 which is one of only 2 I’m missing of the original 8. It was originally off their 2011 album, ‘The Reckoning’. I will admit it is not one I remember much from the album, but maybe I need to hear it again because there is so much life to it live. There are a couple songs over the years that I felt their live performances were better than the studio track…or at least more memorable.

SIDE B:

The flip side kicks off the “State I’m In (Oohs And Aahs)” which was recorded in Morrison, Colorado on July 21, 2015. This song was on Vol. 2 and originally the first part “State I’m In” is off ‘Rivers in the Wasteland’ and the second part, “Oohs And Aahs” is off ‘The Reckoning’. This one starts of real dramatic and a long drawn out intro which leads me to believe this was the opening song for this particular show. I love how they merge the two songs together and what a great way to kick off the show as this will get you on your feet for sure!!

The next track is another get on your feet rocker and funny enough called “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now”. This was recorded on May 16, 2015 in my old stomping grounds Alpharetta, Georgia. The song also features the band Colony House who were touring with NTB on this tour. It was on the Vol. 2 release in 2015 so they put that out the year it was recorded…cool. Originally it is on the ‘Rivers in the Wasteland’ album.

Next up is “Temporary Tears” off their latest album ‘Caves’. This one was recorded on November 3, 2023 in Omaha, Nebraska. What is cool about this one is it was only a digital release and this is the first time on a physical copy. Yes please, thank you very much!! After a couple rockers, you need a ballad and this Bear really nails this one live.

Next up is “Be Here Long (Piano Version)” and was recorded on June 13, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. I’m trying to remember if I was at that show…most likely I was. This is a touching song inspired by his son. It will really pull at the heart strings. This one is off Vol. 5 and originally off their album ‘Hard Love’. And finally we get a cover of “Johnny B. Goode” that has NTD, plus Ben Rector and Mac Powell. This one was recorded on March 27, 2017 on Daniel Island in South Carolina. This was on Vol. 4 so I didn’t have this physically before here and it is not on any album. This is a rocking, guitar heavy song and is nothing but pure fun!

And that is it. 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.