Album Reviews

38^th Parallel bursts onto the scene in late 2002 with its hit ‘Horizon’ and this reviewer doesn’t expect a one hit wonder.  Let me explain. 

Turn The Tides is the first CD from 38^th Parallel which was released by Squint Entertainment.  This CD is solid in both music style and lyrical content. It’s clear to me that the men behind it have a desire to not only entertain but to better the world for Christ.

The CD consists of both hard and soft diverse tracks and the music styling is similar to that of P.O.D. or Pillar.  One thing that hit me was how deep and well thought-out the lyrics are.  The title track, Turn the Tides, is track 2.  It clearly declares the fact that so many people need Christ and Christians need to change that situation by letting the world know.  Track 5, Who Am I, explores the fact that we all sin and are told not to judge but rather be mindful of our own faults.  Track ten, 3 Times Denied, is my favorite track on the CD.  This fast paced song talks of Peter’s denial of Christ as it relates to how we deny him in the same shameful manner.

There are really no weak songs on the CD.  I was a bit disappointed that the lyrics were not inside the cd jacket but was later pleasantly surprised when I found not only the lyrics of each song on their website but also a description of what the songs mean to the band.  That was a great touch that other bands should take note of and duplicate.  Parents can also be confident that there are no songs with adult subject matters that would be questionable for younger listeners.

Final Recommendation

I really enjoyed this CD and it has remained in my car CD player longer then most.  The hard hitting music combined with the thought provoking lyrics has me hooked.  I hope 38^th Parallel stays in-tune with the strengths of this CD and continues to give us great music for a long time.

                                              ~Sporknews.com

Well, i first heard 38th Parallel on the radio with their smash hit Blue Horizon. I immediately liked the sound, and went out and bought the cd at a good price. At first i was astonished at listening to the whole cd, because i didn't expect it to be as hard as it was. I expected rock, but more of a Vertical Horizon sound than that of a much harder band.

Overall i didn't like the album, but there are moments when i like to release frustration and it does a great job at that. If you're into hard Christian stuff with pretty good lyrics, pick up the album, otherwise, you probably would be better off just listening to their hit on the radio, because there aren't but one or two songs on the album that sound remotely like "Blue Horizon"

UPDATE:

I have listened now to the album for 5 months, and my opinion has changed!

I LOVE "Hear my Cry", "horizon", "turn the tides", and many more. Its a great Christian rock album, but be warned, its pretty hard stuff. Very well done album.

This album is great. The lyrics in each song are artistic and well thought out and coordinated to the instrumental music in a great way. This band is every thing I look for in a Christian musical group; they think about the culture and promote Christians to engage it. Look into the band's name off of their website and see what I mean by that. I give it a ten.  ~Noble

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