On the Verge
Posted August 31, 2008
By IronJedi,
You could liken musical parody to dancing in a straight-jacket, and Christian musical parody would be like dancing on a high-wire in the aforementioned restraint. It is a somewhat paradoxical ability in that imitation is the means through which creativity is expressed. Apologetix, “that Christian parody band” has been practicing their unique form of satire for over a decade (and 12+ albums) and their latest release, Future Tense, shows their continuing expertise as practitioners of the art form.
It goes without saying that the better executed the parody is the more successful the satire. On this count, chief lyricist and front man J. Jackson delivers the goods: biblical truth and social commentary that can run the gamut from subtly witty to scathingly wry. The lyrics of Future Tense are both perceptive and cheeky without being offensive or flippant. Sometimes the pith is so subtle you may find yourself scratching your head. For instance, if you think the references to women in “Animals I Have Begun” are stereotypical, notice the (increasingly selfish) progression from verse to verse.
In spite of several recent changes in the band’s line-up, Apologetix’s musical mimicry remains spot on. Their capacity to smoothly duplicate styles as disparate as 60’s era Beatles (“Try Micah”), 80’s era The Cars (“Bethlehem Boy”), and the contemporary sounds of bands as varied as AFI (“Animals I Have Begun”), Gym Class Heroes (“Stupid’s Chokehold / Reckless in America”) and The Fray (“The Tablecloth”) is remarkable- and continues to grow more impressive with each new album. It’s apparent that the members of Apologetix don’t shy away from the challenge of adapting their message to the diverse styles of modern pop music.
The same can be said for J. Jackson’s skill at emulating diverse vocalists. His wide register and vocal talent is uncanny; allowing him to convincingly pull off everything from the airy tenor of Boston's Brad Delp, to the barbed-wire growl of Disturbed's David Draiman; the breathy rush of Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump to the melancholy falsetto of Hinder’s Austin Winkler.
Future Tense is for those who take guilty pleasure in Top 40 and 80’s, 90’s, Now radio stations and/or Now That’s What I Call Music anthologies. Make no mistake, the songs of Apologetix are funny and smart, but you may find yourself provoked to consideration and thought. ; )
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