ApologetiX

Item: Keep the Change
Author: Chris Sarda

Keep the Change

(2001)

Reviewed by Chris Sarda

Discogs YouTube

Label ParodudesThe Phantom Tollbooth2002

comedy pop rock rock

Apologetix deliver another sometimes funny, sometimes clever, but mostly sub-par performance on their latest album, Keep the Change. Apologetix shows its best talent in the "lyric modifications" of popular secular songs. The band covers popular secular songs and alters the lyrics so they become Bible-based parodies. In most cases, however, the music's quality is lacking.

The band's concept is certainly a wonderful idea and may be a wonderful ministry. There are many pieces of the album that will probably put a smile on listeners' faces if they are familiar with the original secular versions. An example is the Eminem parody, "The Real Sin Savior," where:

"Oh yeah I probably got a couple of you that think I lack proof. But no worse than what's going on in American classrooms...... My momma was a fish. My momma was a fish. And if we're monkeys we might as well forget original sin."

Replaces

"Yea I probably got a couple of screws up in my head loose but no worse than what's going on in your parents' bedrooms... my bum is on your lips, my bum is on your lips and if I'm lucky you just might give it a little kiss"

Modifications such as these serve as the best part of the album. Unfortunately, much of the music lacks the punch of the original such as "Simp Liztik" which loses the heavy sounding seven string riff of Limp Bizkit's original, "Cookie." On the Queen parody "Bethlehemian Rhapsody" the middle guitar riff after the opera section lacks the layered punch of the original.

All in all, Apologetix offers a "good enough" album. If Christian parodies sound like something you'd be interested in, it is worth the listen. But after the novelty fades you may find yourself wanting to hear the originals. The only time you will ever return to Keep the Change will probably be when you tell a friend to check this out.