Customer Reviews

Keep the Change

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

When it comes to parodies of popular songs, there's no better comic tapestry as those woven by "Weird Al" Yankovic. At least as far as the mainstream is concerned. But you know what would REALLY be cool? What if there was a Christian musician or band out there that took those same popular songs and "parodied" them, inserting Christian messages in place of the actual lyrics?

Well, look at what we got here...

Apologetix is just that huckleberry. And boy, do they pull it off slick! These four talented musicians get together and turn around all the negativity, anger, and convolution of most of today's (and yesterday's) most popular tunes, into positive, thought-filled anthems that shed light (literally) on Christianity and its beliefs. Not only that, they belt out the tunes with stunning accuracy. With Yankovic's parodies, you can immediately tell that it's him by that unmistakable voice. Not so with Apologetix. Half the time, save for the swapped-out lyrics, I couldn't tell the difference between their versions and the original songs. It was that close! And no song or band is safe; everyone from Skynyrd to Papa Roach to Eminem to the Monkees(!!) gets poked at, and it's so much fun to listen to. Their take on Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" ("Bethlehemian Rhapsody") had me laughing out loud, as did "All the Stalls Stink" (Blink 182's "All the Small Things"). "Life Restored", their jab at Papa Roach's "Last Resort", is awesome as well.
This is a great album, and a great listen especially for those who're into all those "Now" compilations. These guys have been doing this for a while now, and they just seem to get better with every album that comes out. (If they ever start writing their own songs like "Weird Al" does, watch out. If their spoofs are any indication, they're capable of anything.)
Get it? Then get it.

This CD is a collection of classic and modern rock parodies of hit songs from the 60s up to the present time. 12 are classics, and 7 of the songs are songs that were popular in the last year. I love their version of Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Freebird,' which was rewritten 'I'm not cheap like a bird, now. And I'm born for better things.' That line pretty much sums up what this band is about. Taking well known rock radio staples and transforming the lyrics to say something positive about the Lord Jesus Christ and about life.

And the singer has an uncanny ability to sound just like the original vocalists. We saw them in concert a few months ago, and I asked my nephew, 'Who do you think he sounds like?" And he said, "He sounds like everybody!' And I agree.

The music is performed by the band members of Apologetix, but they often sound so much like the original artists that at times you will have to listen closely to discern that it is a new rendition. However, there are a couple of places where they don't have it quite nailed down. 'Stay in the Light,' a parody of the Bee Gees' 'Staying Alive,' doesn't have the funky beat of the original. And "Old Time Romans Road" ( a parody of 'Old Time Rock and Roll' by Bob Seger) could benefit from a fuller sound. But everything else is nailed with precision. The aforementioned Skynyrd tune is awesome, better than the original (I only wish that they didn't cut off the song at 4:48, I wanted to hear the full 9 minute version!) The cover of Eminem's song 'The Real Slim Shady' is unbelievably excellent. How they were able to rescue that song fronm the depths of degradation I'll never know. But they did it. That song actually moved me to tears when I was playing it on my walkman, just knowing that they were using this music for God so powerfully.

In short, this makes a great Christmas purchase for your kids. They can listen to all the songs that they love, and you can rest easy that they are learning about Jesus.

Here's Apologetix's 2001 release, the production is great,the parody's are great and the message and humor is great. Some of the best songs include The real sin saviour (their version of "the real slim shady" by Eminem) All the stalls stink (a [copy] of, Blink 182's "all the smalll things") Life restored ( parody of " last resort" by Papa roach) and Simp liztic( a spoof of "nookie" by Limp bizkit) They also do some classic rock like, Old time romans road (a parody of "old time rock and roll" by Bob seger) You booked me all along (parody of "you shook me all night long" by ACDC) and Rock and roots (parody of"rock and roll" by Led zephlin) and many more,(20 song in all) This cd is one of Apologetix's best,if not the best. Go buy it!

This is the first ApologetiX CD I owned (albeit a freebie...). Anyway, after hearing their interview on K-Love (www.klove.com) in May of 2001, and while I didn't think too much of them at the time, a few months later it finally caught on, perhaps because I found an old Oak Ridge Boys album at a thrift store that had "Elvira" on it and the first ApologetiX song I heard was "Elijah". Anyway, I suddenly had to find more on this band. I was a seasoned Weird Al fan, so this band was a great find for me. After hunting them down on the now-defunct file sharing network Audiogalaxy, and finding that it was spelled "ApologetiX" and not "Apologetics", I became a huge fan. I got this CD with the press kit as part of my efforts to bring them back to Cincinnati. I also have Grace Period, but nothing can compare to their parody of Eminem's sleazy (and annoying) "Real Slim Shady". They turn a song filled with filthy lyrics, loads of profanity and other disgusting topics into a fun sing-a-long song about how Jesus is the "Real Sin Savior". This song alone makes the CD worth buying. If that's not enough, there's always their great rendition of Elton John's "Daniel", the fun songs "Story Of A Squirrel" and "All The Stalls Stink" and a great new version of "Bethlehemian Rhapsody" (they weren't satisfied with the way they did the song the first time, so they re-wrote the lyrics and did it again!). So, to sum it up, if you like parodies, or are looking for a positive alternative to some of today's (and yesterday's) best songs, get this CD. And buy Grace Period as well.

I've got all 6 of ApologetiX CD's, and the Christmas one that just came out as a limited edition and I have to say, to date, that "Keep the Change" is my favorite. It's hard to believe that J., Karl, Keith, and Bill could create such wonderful lyrics and put together such a great sound (just like the originals in some cases)all in the name of Jesus Christ. They have been blessed with a wonderful gift to minister to those who may not come in contact with Christian music before listening to them. J., the lead singer has a knack of sounding so much like the original front man, you have to see them in person to know that it really isn't the artist from the secular group.
Their popularity continues to grow with each album they put out. This one is a definite "got to have" for your collections. My favorite is "Sin Savior". They take a nasty song and turn it into something that works for the Lord. It's nice to have a great selection of albums to choose from that you don't mind your kids listening to these days. Buy it without hesitation!

If you are a fan of classic rock music from the 1960's and 1970's and/or you like the modern alternative rock music, then you are going to LOVE Apologetix. This band has to be the most unique Christian artist in the history of Christian music. What is most amazing about this group (other than their genuine heart to reach people with the message of Jesus Christ) is how incredibly talented musically and vocally they are. J. Jackson, the lead singer and lyricist for the group, does an incredible job of matching the EXACT SAME SOUND of the original artist on each of the songs. Have you tried singing like the Monkees in one moment and then Eminem in another? It's a challenge, but Apologetix pulls it off. In fact, the band takes the original song into the studio with them and listens to it over and over again until there is no difference musically. THAT is what makes KEEP THE CHANGE so special. I appreciate the ministry of Apologetix because it allows people who would otherwise be turned off to some sappy Christian song and allows them to hear the gospel in an unassuming, yet effective means. Get ALL 7 of their CDs TODAY! Other titles by Apologetix include the brand new 2002 release GRACE PERIOD, SPOOFERNATURAL, JESUS CHRIST MORNINGSTAR, TICKED, RADICAL HISTORY TOUR and BIBLICAL GRAFFITI.

Sigh... where to start? I'll keep this brief. Unoriginal. Unfunny. Uncreative. Why parody great songs to further make Christianity annoying? It's bad enough already.

This is a GREAT CD! The musical quality is amazing, and very innovative with the christian lyrics! Not only will you enjoy this for yourself, but you can use it as a witnessing tool as well! I have already had success with it! I highly recommend this CD!

I bought this CD after hearing Old Time Romans Road! This group is so great, their music is wonderfully inspiring!

If you haven't heard Apologetix, you are missing out on some hilarious (and inspirational) music. Call them the "Christian Weird Als." I appreciate the fact that they include Scripture references for the songs in the cd covers. Best song on the album, the Real Sin Savior...unbelievable how they were able to redeem an Eminem song!