Reviewed by Paul S Ganney

ApologetiX describe themselves as a "Christian parody band" which really doesn't do them justice. A parody band in the UK is normally a comedy re-write. This is more a set of rocked up covers with great solos and rewritten lyrics to make them more faith-based. As a lot of their material is rock-based, then the "rocked up" bit of that description is really "a pretty faithful rendition". A premise like that will stand or fall depending on how well it's done. Fortunately this is very well done and the tracks on 2018's 'Nichey' are all short enough for you to appreciate the idea and enjoy them without them outstaying their welcome. From the opening "You're Really Godly" (The Kinks' "You Really Got Me") this grabs you and makes you listen. Vocally they do a pretty good job of phrasing and styling as close to the original as they can, with the Alice Cooper ("No More Mr Wise Guy") possibly the best, although the Travelling Willburys' harmonies were spine-tinglingly sharp. The lyrical re-writes are very well done with the phrasing and choice of words staying as close as possible to the original as they can so it's no surprise when "L.S.F." kicks off with "Picture yourself. . ." The band is superb too - the guitar work especially standing out, particularly on tracks such as "Crossloads" and "The Very Last City". Production is sharp, with the right feel for so much - "Crossloads" again shining here. It made me wonder why they'd strayed so far when they did "You're Really Godly" and "L.S.F." as I'm sure they could have easily nailed the '60s vibe; maybe it was so that the album sounded like a single piece (as it does) rather than a hotch potch compilation (which it certainly doesn't). I can't help but think that a live gig with this band would be so much fun. Yes, plenty of people have done things like this before, but I can't recall anyone doing it as well. The band admit that they didn't set out to do this - it was just what audiences loved and loads of people want the songs as they feel they can easily share them with their non-Christian friends. If you play any of these to your friends (and you'll want to) don't tell them about the band beforehand - just watch their faces as the penny drops.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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