Apologetix - "Radical History Tour"

There's something compelling about a quality original. Released in 1994, Apologetix' Radical History Tour is not exactly an antique, but it has an exuberance and an air of novelty that comes with a debut project. The CD is a re-release of their first cassette, and it's easy to see from whence Jesus Christ Morningstar (their third project) sprang. Ticked (their first CD) was a masterfully done collection of parodies of modern alternative rock, but it is on the classic cuts that Apologetix evokes the biggest smiles (that preference is most likely due to the advanced years of the reviewer rather than quality differences ;-).

Queen must be a favorite with at least one of the band members, because Bethlehemian Rhapsody is a perfect imitation. The musicianship is wonderful, and I suspect the keyboardist and guitarist have played the original often. The lyrics could not have been improved one iota, and are true to the Word. Sing along the battle song of David's encounter with Goliath. What an opener! Absolutely this reviewer's favorite, and you will play it over and over and over again.

One of the great things about Apologetix is that you'll actually learn something when you listen to their songs. These are men who are in the Word, and write from it. Excusing the occasional "poetic license" (Jacob grabbing Esau's "ankle" rather than heel), their lyrics are teaching tools as well as entertainment. Who will forget the story of Jacob's life from birth to his blessing as Father of the Nations after listening Jacob's Name Is Israel?

Check out the Book is a Roxette track from the late 80's, very melody driven music. Almost every adult alive in the 80s is a Roxette fan, so musically this track has wide appeal. Most importantly, the lyrics are MUCH better. Instead of checking out the ladies, we can center on His words where our eyes belong. The production of this track is more vocal than the guitar hook orientated sound of the original, but the words are what we want to hear anyway. To review their first album last is kind of unfair to Apologetix as they have improved with each release, but the bottom line is that this first project proves the lyricist of this band has been brilliant from day one.

Apologetix cleverly turns Led Zeppelin's D'yer Maker on its ear with Yer Maker, a smart and musically true play on the original that will have you singing along, "Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh, You don't have to go, to hell, oh no, you don't have to go, to hell, oh no, you don't have to go..." The production on I Know a Riddle is as good as it gets. The mixing of the guitars is exactly from that era and brought back some 70's/80's flashbacks. It's a pleasure to hear the mostly late Lynard Skynard music with anointed words! Too bad they couldn't have listened to this song before their plane went down.

You will be smiling broadly as you listen to I've Got Elijah Fightin' Baal, a parody of Buck Owens' Tiger By The Tail. The lyrics are Biblically true, and summarize I Kings 18 well. Continuing in the story-telling-in-song vein is Not Logs Lincoln (Hot Rod Lincoln), the story of Noah and his ark made of Gopher wood, not logs ... Lincoln. This is a great apologetic song, singing out the song of Noah, from the dimensions of the ark through the flood to the sighting of dry land.

Read Ephesians just cracks me up! This band needs mass distribution and airplay of ALL of their albums. They really centered on the instrumentation on this track, and the dry vocal harmonies will certainly remind you of the originator. The guitar work is very well done, but our main Originator is certainly the highlight of this Aerosmith 70's parody of Sweet Emotion.

Catch That Fever has a well sung lead vocal with just the right effects to bring one back to Dog Eat Dog, Ted Nugent days. We still live in a dogged society and this certainly would be a better world if we'd heed these wise lyrics. "Well I don't know when He's coming, but the Lord will come, I hope He's coming for me. And He says that if we're lukewarm, then He'll just spit us out, in Revelation chapter 3, We need to Catch That Fever." Apologetix obviously is burning up.

If Mick Jagger is still looking for some Satisfaction, he'll find it in the Triune Godhead. He's the source of all our peace, and The Stones ain't going to find it anywhere else. Sing the famous chorus to Satisfaction with this truth instead -- "There's a Tri-, He's a Tri-, He's a Tri-, He's a Tri-, Triune Godhead, Triune Godhead."

Ignorant Song is as grating as the original (Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin). But the Gospel should grate on the nerves of those who "pretend that they don't know" and "willingly deny the truth." EZKiel is the first of two CCR parodies, and the lead vocalist does a fantastic job mimicking John Fogerty. Even better is the parody of Bad Moon Risin', Bad Dude Risin', a warning of the bad dude coming.

Virgin again is a good imitation of the original lead vocalist (Lou Gramm of Foreigner). This isn't an easy thing to pull off. When singing lead, most are lucky to get their own voices sounding good, let alone trying to imitate someone else's! Sounds of Silas is a scream! You will belly laugh when you hear "Come help us Paul and Silas" sung to the first hit of Simon and Garfunkel.

Apologetix obviously likes doing Eagles tracks, and Life In The Last Days certainly is one of the best tracks on this 20 song CD. The music of the original Hotel California album was unbelievably good, but the lyrics were too disturbing to keep it. Though this track wasn't from that album I believe anyone who listens to it will like it sooooo much better then the original. "He's gonna wait till the Midnight Hour, that's when the Lord is comin'back!" A Wilson Picket classic that most will instantly recognize even though it's pretty old! The horns and the bell tolling for your soul are quite cleverly done!

There are other Christian parody bands springing up now, following the path Apologetix has laid. But, in the same way that the Beatles gave rock and roll its jumpstart, Apologetix remains the original and the benchmark. Apologetix uses over 70 minutes of CD space, but you'll want more. There's a simple remedy for that; purchase all three of their CD's and laugh all the day long.

Paul Gentry, CMCA Staff