Keep the Change
by
ApologetiX THIS REVIEW IS ADAPTED FROM A REVIEW I POSTED ON MY WEBSITE. TO CHECK OUT MY REVIEW OF APOLOGETIX'S ALBUMS FROM 1997 TO 2007,
The Overcomer Is Still Here | Posted May-19-2017 THIS REVIEW IS ADAPTED FROM A REVIEW I POSTED ON MY WEBSITE. TO CHECK OUT MY SONG-BY-SONG REVIEW OF MANDISA'S ALBUM (AND TO WIN A FREE COPY), CLICK HERE!
It’s been four years since GRAMMY winner and American Idol alum has released any music, and I’m sure fans were excited when they heard that she’s back.
Mandisa has spent the last few years deep in the pit. But her friends helped her see the light, and now she is “Out Of The Dark.”
This album features the single "Unfinished." I groaned because I was afraid of a typical pop song. While it is a pop song, they lyrics are great! The message of this song has been speaking to me a lot lately. God is not finished with me yet!
"I'm Still Here" is a bouncy and cheery songand is an anthem song that I wanna sing out to! I will say that "Prove Me Wrong" is one of the best songs on the album. This album also features amazing collaborations with tobyMac ("Bleed The Same"), Britt Nicole ("What You're Worth"), and Jeremy Camp ("My First Love").
Overall, I did enjoy the album. While there were a few songs that I didn’t enjoy stylistically and a couple that I didn’t enjoy too much because how poppy they felt, there were some amazing songs on this album. These songs carry the banner of triumph and should encourage those who are down and those who are fine. I would recommend that you do purchase this album.
Ready For An Oldies Party? | Posted January-28-2017
THIS REVIEW FROM A REVIEW I POSTED ON MY WEBSITE. TO CHECK OUT A SONG-BY-SONG REVIEW OF EACH SONG FROM THIS ALBUM, CLICK HERE!
In 2010, ApologetiX released 11 compilation albums (the Christmas Classics album released in 2013) recapping namely their first 15 albums, remastered and categorized by genres and eras.
Not all these songs from the "Party" collection are my cup of tea, though. And this is party before electrona really stole the clubs. So you got some rock and funk here. This is classic stuff, okay?
But even though these songs aren’t the current DJ’s idea of party, they still get a ton of spins around the country. I can’t believe how many of these songs I’ve heard in places while I’m out and about.
There are some songs that have a rock feel (like “Smooth Grandmama” or “Love and Kisses”), but there are some that are totally not (like “Baa We’re Lambs” and “Stay In The Light”). There’s quite a fun mix of topics, from their classics Bible story retellings (“Meshach”) to songs like the Book of Romans and how it shares about salvation (“Old Time Romans Road”), ApologetiX being a different band (“Play That Funny Music”), to Christmas songs (“December 5 Or 6 B.C.” and “Micah No. 5”).
Again, some of these songs aren’t my style, such as “Found God” and “Twins Came Out.” And there are some songs that I just dig, like “Pray Now (Lost Art)” and “I Love Apostle Paul.” It has quite a mix for your next oldies dance party.
I will say that one thing that does bug me a little is the track listing order. While I understand it can be tough organizing songs for a compilation, I do think this one could have been a little more obvious. Tracks 1-16 are studio tracks, while 17-22 are live performances. Okay, doesn’t seem too bad at first. I understand that it’s kinda normal and common to place live tracks at the end of an album. But “Play That Funny Music” would have been a great opener for the album because it’s so much like one of the theme songs for the band. Plus the track does open up with “Ladies and gentlemen, ApologetiiiiiX!” I think if that track was placed first and the rest of the album followed suit, I wouldn’t really have any other complaints, I guess.
As remastered songs, these do sound better. While since 2001 ApologetiX has been releasing absolutely quality sounding music, the needs for volume leveling and unity in this album are accomplished! Even songs from their HQ album “Wordplay” sound phenomenal!
In sum:
If you've been looking for some rock with a dancable beat and a little funk and disco, then you've been reading about the perfect disc!
And they were dancin' and diggin'
The music we was usin'
And when it hit them
The words were turned around
They shouted
Play that funny music right, boy
Play that funny music right
Play that funny music right, boy
They got confused
Cause I played them Sunday music in disguise
My favorite tracks:
"Smooth Grandmama" (parody of "Smooth Criminal" by Alien Ant Farm)
"Play That Funny Music" (parody of "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry)
"Love And Kisses" (parody of "Rock And Roll All Night" by Kiss)
"I Love Apostle Paul" (parody of "I Love Rock And Roll" by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts)
"Pray Now (Lost Art)" (parody of "All Star" by Smash Mouth)
"Meshach" (parody of "Love Shack" by The B-52's)
"Jonah Jonah" (parody of "Mony Mony" by Tommy James & The Shondells)
Keep The Message, Keep The Songs, Keep The Change | Posted August-12-2016 THIS REVIEW IS ADAPTED FROM A REVIEW I POSTED ON MY WEBSITE. TO CHECK OUT MY REVIEW OF APOLOGETIX'S ALBUMS FROM 1997 TO 2007, CLICK HERE!
In 2001, ApologetiX released their first really quality sounding album called “Keep The Change.” When I first heard the album in its entirety, I wondered why it just blared out of the speakers so smoothly. But this is when ApologetiX starts to really sound like awesome!
As I said, “Story Of A Squirrel” just blasted out of the speakers and got me excited for the rest of the album. And while it wasn’t their best album (in my opinion), there are a ton of highlights.
For example, this album features APX’s first Eminem parody they did, “The Real Sin Savior.” It quickly became one of their most popular parodies, as J. Jackson says, “It’s easily one of our most popular parodies ever, and it won the 2002 American Christian Music Award for ‘Fringe Song of the Year.’”
This album also featured a re-recording of the Queen parody “Bethlehemian Rhapsody,” which tells the story of David and Goliath like you’ve never heard it before! And the song “Cheap Birds” is more than just a great song, it’s a lot of fun! (If you saw ApologetiX live with Karl Messner, he would play the end of this song with a drum stick as his pick.)
Those rockers abound in this album, such as “Christmasnite,” “Simp Liztik,” and the highlight, “Life Restored.” The original song talked about suicide (“Last Resort”), but this parody showcases new life in Christ as “Life Restored.” Amen! God has used this parody to bring people to Christ, and what a wonderful thing is that!
In sum:
Though this is not one of my favorite albums from ApologetiX, I really did enjoy it, and it is one of their most popular (it reached #15 on the Nation Christian Retail Bestsellers Rock Charts, as published by CCM Magazine in November 2001) and contains some amazing parodies. I encourage you to pick this up and give it a listen! And, don’t forget to keep the change Jesus gave you!
‘Cause I’m improving my life, renewing my mind
This all started with Romans 10:9
Doing what’s right, doin’ quite fine
This all started with Romans 10:9
. . .
Plug my life into Jesus
This gets my life restored
My favorite songs:
“Life Restored” (parody of “Last Resort” by Papa Roach)
“Cheap Birds” (parody of “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd)
“Christmasnite” (parody of “Kryptonite” by Three Doors Down)
“The Real Sin Savior” (parody of “The Real Slim Shady” by Eminem)
A Not-So Self-Titled Bubblegum Debut Album . . . For EVERYONE! (Long Title, Huh? Whoops, I just made it longer.) | Posted July-21-2016 THIS REVIEW WAS ADAPTED FORM MY REVIEW OF 1GN’S DEBUT/1 GIRL NATION’S SELF-TITLED ALBUM. TO READ MY FULL SONG-BY-SONG REVIEW, CLICK HERE!
As one who lived in Korea (as of September 2016), I got my eardrums blasted in the stores by K-POP. And I pretty much feel in love with the style (2010-11 were like the glory years), but it wasn’t lyrically clean.
Anyways, I was so excited when I found out about 1GN (back in the olden days, they were known as “1 Girl Nation”). A pure pop look and five girls. How many Christian artists are there with five girls that perform bubblegum pop music? (I think the number is now zero.) Totally reminded me of Girls’ Generation, which had nine members (now eight). So I immediately jumped on this album.
True, not all these songs sound like K-POP songs, but they were a lot of fun! The lead single, “While We’re Young” is a response song to all those secular songs that talk about how they will waste their lives doing worldly things. And that’s one reason why we love Christian music.
“Count Your Rainbows” was one of the stand-out tracks for me, as it put a little spin on the popular phrase “Count your blessings.” "Vertical" is an anthem declaring a vow to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this world. (IF YOU WANNA SEE MY THOUGHTS ON EACH SONG OF THIS ALBUM, CLICK HERE!)
In sum:
It is a great album and I really enjoyed it. I think it’s perfect for your pre-teen or early teen girl, but I’m sure all ages (who can handle bubblegum) and all genders (did you figure out that I’m a guy yet?) will enjoy it.
I think Unite will have heavier lyrics that are perfect for girls who are entering their teens, so this contains lyrics more on the simpler side. And for these ears that are constantly picking things up, I felt like some things weren’t thoroughly produced. But I enjoyed it and I encourage you to pick up this album, and let’s “Invade” the world for Christ!
STIR The Tide | Posted July-08-2016 This is an abridged review of my review of this album, and you can read my song-by-song review of this album on my website. Click here to read it!
Passion is known for their live albums, which are recordings of the music portion of their annual conferences, where they invite motivational speakers to speak to college students. It honestly sounds like a great time and I’d love to go myself one day! But we get that snippet of the songs, and they’re usually wonderful! The only difference about this album is that it’s their second album that’s not a live album! Does that ruin anything? Not at all!
The first surprise I received (besides it not being a live album) was that it wasn’t straight pop CCM worship! There were some electronic elements, namely synths and drum machines. This album shows that things are changing from a rock influenced sound to an electronic influenced. (Just think: tobyMac, Newsboys, Hillsong UNITED, Fireflight, Tenth Avenue North, and even Skillet!)
Brett Younker takes on lead vox on the most popular song on the album “Remember.” This track encourages us to remember what Jesus did for us. It should encourage us to take some time and ponder on his sacrifice. And Melodie Malone adds some color on this track by singing duet with Brett Younker on the verses.
Crowder touched me with the lyrics in “My Victory,” as he sung “a cross meant to kill is my victory.” Amen! But Kristian Stanfill opened this album with an amazing song called “Salvation’s Tide,” as it is a prayer from the church for salvation to baptize the earth, like a flowing river. (If you want to read my song-by-song review of this album, click here.)
In sum:
This album actually didn’t hook me right away. It took a few listens, but I really enjoy it! Great lyrics, glorious songs, and worship anthems are all packed in this album. I do recommend this album to anyone looking for a new worship album to add to his/her collection! (Those who aren’t 100% a fan of worship albums might wanna skip over this album or pick up some of the more popular songs.) And if you do listen and don’t think it’s your cup of tea, take my advice and listen to it one or two more times. I read reviews on Amazon and for some it was love at first sight, and others it grew on them. So don’t be discouraged. And sing along with the saints:
Let the walls come down in Jesus’ name
Let the lost be found in Jesus’ name
Let the Church arise to shine Your light to the world
Don't Bring Me Originals | Posted July-01-2016 THIS REVIEW IS ADAPTED FROM A REVIEW I POSTED ON MY WEBSITE. TO CHECK OUT MY REVIEW OF APOLOGETIX'S ALBUMS FROM 2008 TO 2013, CLICK HERE!
Recovery, ApologetiX’s 16th album, narrows into one era of music: late-70’s classic rock! And boy does it rock! Better yet, the lyrics have been recovered and transformed to please God! What could be better?
This album spoofs classics that you most likely would be familiar with. Just about everyone has heard of a wayward son, but not the way that “Hurry Home Wayward Son” depicts! And you’ve heard the Queen-duo “We Will Rock You” and “We Are The Champions,” but with some scripture, those who walk through are more than champions.
You might get a kick at APX comparing “Obadiah” to other prophets in the Bible, and you will nod your head as J. Jackson sings that the Bible is “Not Some Old Fantasy.”
The album art, title, and final track were parodies of Electric Light Orchestra’s Discovery, and “Don’t Bring Me Cows” was my favorite ApologetiX song for quite awhile. I think it’s awesome how ApologetiX is so creative and can create these parodies that honor God!
I absolutely love this album! This album is very nostalgic, for it’s the album that really got me into APX. I’m so great that I know this band and I hope others will check out this recover band!
My favorite songs:
“Don’t Bring Me Cows” (parody of “Don’t Bring Me Down” by ELO)
“Come, Whale, Away” (parody of “Come Sail Away” by Styx)
“We Will Walk Through” (“We Will Rock You” by Queen)
Amazing Album Period | Posted June-29-2016 THIS REVIEW IS ADAPTED FROM A REVIEW I POSTED ON MY WEBSITE. TO CHECK OUT MY REVIEW OF APOLOGETIX'S ALBUMS FROM 1997 TO 2007, CLICK HERE!
It’s amazing to think that we are saved by grace—period. And we all have a grace period to accept his gift of grace. And I love how ApologetiX hammers this point in this album!
The rocker “Corinthians” starts the album and reminds us about love. And isn’t what grace stems from—love? And we see that God allowed us Gentiles to believe in him in the song “Cornelius,” and we can shout “I’m A Receiver!”
No electrona songs abound here (this is 2002, man), but you could dance to a little brass in “YHWH” (which, by the way, I could handle) and get a few laughs, and you could dance to some rock in “Smooth Grandmama,” which is one of APX’s biggest hits (J. Jackson, lead singer, said it hit the top 25 national Christian rock charts). This song is also a tribute to those “fanatical” relatives who brought their family to Christ.
We hear songs from James’ perspective in “Follow Me” and we hear about when Thomas saw the Lord Jesus when He resurrected (“Tom Saw Ya”).
Subjects can get deep, like a song that was originally about suicide is now turned to one about Christian martyrs (“Don’t Fear The People”), and we hear them “talkin’ ‘bout Regeneration.”
This album closes with the classic hit “Baa! We’re Lambs,” which you might have heard covered by other Christian artists.
This album, my favorite from the Karl years, has an awesome combination of songs from different eras and has an awesome variety of styles. Plus, this is one of APX’s albums at their finest, this also being one of their most popular!
Pick up this album, and it comes with awesome tracks, laughs, and lessons to learn! Wanna miss out on those? Probably not.
My favorite tracks:
“Corinthians” (parody of “In the End” by Linkin Park)
“How You Rewind Me” (parody of “How You Remind Me” by Nickelback)
“Smells Like Thirtysomething Spirit” (parody of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana)
Very Ticked! | Posted June-22-2016 THIS REVIEW IS ADAPTED FROM A REVIEW I POSTED ON MY WEBSITE. TO CHECK OUT MY REVIEW OF APOLOGETIX'S ALBUMS OF 2014, CLICK HERE!
In 2014, ApologetiX, That Christian Parody Band, started bi-weekly singles to give fans more songs and they thought it would be a great idea to help them with their financial problems. Do the math: they released 46 songs in single format in 2014 and six additional songs in Apoplectic! That’s fifty-two songs in one year! (They released another ton in 2015, and are doing it this year!) And I shall review the most unique from this system: “Apoplectic.”
This album was very different compared to many of their other albums. Just like “Ticked (Rolling Clone),” this album is full of 90s parodies! (In addition, this album is a sequel to “Ticked.”) Though it did take me a listen or two, I really enjoyed this album. I do think there was more diversity on “Ticked” and I missed that.
With them recording in their drummer’s new studio, Red Apple Audio Workshop, the quality starts to tie “Wordplay” and sounds amazing (and it gets better as time progresses). They might also blow you away how well they are able to mimic the original songs!
J. Jackson, lead singer and lyricist, has worked hard writing these parodies and singing for this album; round of applause! You can hear his daughter, Janna, singing on “Aaronic” and “One Of Us Indeed,” and I remember listening to those two songs over and over!
In addition, Tom Tincha, Keith Haynie, Jimmy “Vegas” Tanner, and Chris VonBartheld, the touring members, play guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards respectively. Other guest artists (none you may recognize, though) drop in to play various instruments, including the banjo and the brass instruments.
Unlike the other three albums from APX released in 2014, this album has several album exclusive songs and the songs from the singles are spread out through out the album. This made the album one amazing piece!
But did this review make you very ticked? If not, then it would be wise to buy this album!
My favorite songs:
“One Of Us Indeed” (parody of “One Of Us” by Joan Osborne)
“Proving My Religion” (parody of “Losing My Religion” by REM)
“God Knows You’ve Tried” (parody of “Slide” by the Goo Goo Dolls)
Rolling Clone's #1 Album Of The Year | Posted June-08-2016 THIS REVIEW IS ADAPTED FROM A REVIEW I POSTED ON MY WEBSITE. TO CHECK OUT MY REVIEW OF APOLOGETIX'S ALBUMS FROM 1997 TO 2007, CLICK HERE!
Back in 1997, ApologetiX was only five years old and mostly unknown. (In fact, I wasn’t even born yet!) But APX recently got hold of semi-quality equipment and released their first quality album of all 90s hits.
This album, Ticked (Rolling Clone), is a little different than some of the other albums in some respects. As I mentioned above, this album only has 90s parodies, but also this focuses more on current issues than Bible stories or morals. For example, you get to hear about the problems we started having because we haven’t been “Come Out And Pray”ed. Or we can proclaim that it’s the “Little Sins” that kill, and show others that some perceptions of “Heaven Isn’t Like That.”
Even this album sounds better than their previous releases, it’s not the all-time quality album you might be expecting. The real start of their quality releases is “Keep The Change.”
But this album is quite amazing and some lyrics really jump out at me. I would advise you to take a listen to this album.
My favorite songs:
“Lightning Flashes” (parody of “Lightning Crashes” by Live)
“Counting Blessings” (parody of “Counting Blue Cars” by Dishwalla)
“Little Sins” (parody of “Little Things” by Bush)
But That Christian Parody Band had more to say. So in 2014, ApologetiX released Apoplectic, which features 12 songs that didn’t make it onto Ticked
These Releases ARE Unconditional | Posted June-03-2016 THIS REVIEW IS ADAPTED FROM A REVIEW I POSTED ON MY WEBSITE. TO CHECK OUT MY REVIEW OF APOLOGETIX'S ALBUMS OF 2014, CLICK HERE!
Well, starting in 2014, ApologetiX, That Christian Parody Band, started bi-weekly singles to give fans more songs and they thought it would be a great idea to help them with their financial problems. Do the math: they released 46 songs in single format in 2014 and six additional songs in Apoplectic! That’s fifty-two songs in one year! (They released another ton in 2015, and are doing it this year!) I’m gonna go ahead and review the fourth and last album from that year of quick releases, “Unconditional Releases.”
This album was a fitting way to end the year, in my opinion (but they did release a single right after this album was released before the year ended). It kinda took a lighter side and showed their diversity again (yep, that meant brass). But who said you couldn’t be moved by the Apostle Paul’s plea to Philemon to “Set Him Free?” And you could join Christians and “Offer Your Prayer” for those who aren’t saved?
With them recording in their drummer’s new studio, Red Apple Audio Workshop, the quality starts to tie “Wordplay” and sounds amazing (and it gets better as time progresses). They might also blow you away how well they are able to mimic the original songs!
J. Jackson, lead singer and lyricist, has worked hard writing these parodies and singing for this album; round of applause! (In addition, Keely Singer sings on the Donna Summer parody, “Hannukah,” and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!!)
In addition, you can hear Tom Tincha on guitars, Keith Haynie on bass, Jimmy “Vegas” Tanner on drums, and Chris VonBartheld on keyboards. In addition, there are other talented musicians and alumni that play instruments, including some brass instruments.
My only real problem while listening to this album would be that I think of the album as six parts, because I heard some these songs as the singles individually before I heard the actual album as one (and the songs are in the exact same order as released as singles). It really is a group of singles and hard to think of so otherwise. The same deal occurs with “Singles Groups,” “Loaded 45s,” “Music Is As Music Does,” and “Play Nice.” I wish J. mixed up the order of the songs.
But these were released unconditionally if you gave APX a donation, right?
My Favorite Songs:
“The Whole Darn Roof Leaks” (parody of “Hold On Loosely” by 38 Special)
“Another One Died For Us” (parody of “Another One Bites The Dust” by Queen)
“Hanukkah” (parody of “Hot Stuff” by Donna Summer).
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