Reviewed by Matthew Cordle

As Cross Rhythms readers will know by now, California's ApologetiX are the hugely prolific band specialising in parodies of popular rock and pop songs. This collection largely comprises material from the '60s and '70s and the band have obviously put a massive amount of work into planning authentic sound and instrumentation for each song. The production, the instrumental performances and vocals/harmonies are excellent, except for some of the female singer's intonation on "Resist Him", and I imagine it must be great fun for the band creating music like this, being able to play many different genres and not be pigeonholed into their own style. As examples of what you'll find here, The Beatles' "She's Got A Ticket To Ride" becomes "She Got Addicted To Christ", Bad Company's "Feel Like Makin' Love" becomes "Be Like David Was" and Journey's "Stone In Love" becomes "Stone Him Rough", a song about the stoning of Stephen. It was interesting doing A/B comparisons with the originals and finding that the band have really nailed it! I smiled at their response to criticism received about using "the devil's music", "Well, you can't judge a book by its cover, but you can judge our 'covers' by the Book." In this spirit the album ends with a defence of what the band are doing, with a Beastie Boys cover, "Fight For Your Right To Parody": "We fix crude language with wholesome words/But some preachers seem to act like it's some kind of curse/You gotta fight -- for your right -- to parody." The band's website helpfully provides lyrics and Bible references for each song, along with info regarding the original song's history, making it easy to plan how you might make use of them. Our church uses song parodies for puppet shows when presenting to parents what children have been thinking about during a holiday club. I can already see a place there for Apologetix.

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