The debut album from Ames, Iowa's 38th Parallel is a decent collection of alternative pop/rock mixed with some rap for flavor. The group blends harmonized vocals reminiscent of Jars of Clay with rapped verses to create an effect which is genuinely their own.
The album starts with "Hear My Cry," an upbeat rocker which is a David-like call for God to come to the aid of the singer, and proceeds to the title track, "Turn the Tides," which features an effective keyboard solo as a bridge.
The next song, "Higher Ground," is the first single off the album, and seems to be lighter in tone and sound than the first two tracks. It showcases the more melodic harmonies of the group, being completely sung.
The songs are decently constructed. The members of the group craft tight pop songs with catchy melodies and straight-forward, if sometimes simple lyrics.
There's something more to stand on
Something of worth to live your life on
Higher ground
Higher ground
Build your house where love resounds
Higher ground
Higher ground
See your purpose from higher ground...
As with this example from "Higher Ground," the lyrics are not terribly profound, but effective.
"Horizons" is a song in which all the elements come together. There is an aggressive rap component, a catchy pop-like chorus, a decent instrumental break, and so forth. It shows that 38th Parallel has decent talent to go along with their musical stylings.
This album is a little on the short side, being only 34 minutes long. While this saves the album from becoming tedious, at times the songs could have used a guitar solo or some other sort of instrumental bridge, as used effectively in "Who Am I" to achieve a fuller measure of potential.
Perhaps the greatest knock against the album is that despite the band's attempt to carve their own niche, they end up sounding more like an updated version of Reality Check than anything else. This is perhaps not a bad thing-- there is certainly room in the musical landscape for a rap/rock band with strong pop sensibilities-- but it just seems a little disappointing. P.O.D. fans will likely enjoy this album, and 38th Parallel certainly has talent; here's hoping for a second album which explores the band's strengths more thoroughly.
3.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Rebel Base 2003Reviewed by David MartinI'll just come out and admit it - I have an automatic bias against young Christian bands that have a lot of stylistic similarity to trendy styles in the mainstream. Part of me really wants to not like a band who gets compared to a popular rap/rock act a lot - perhaps even by the people advertising the new band - simply because I'm expecting a direct rip of the sound that worked for the popular…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Jeff EdwardsThe average gen-xer has seen the demise of many a musical fad - new wave, hair metal, grunge, ska and swing to name a few. (As a sidebar, one can only hope that "Bands that sound like Creed or Blink 182" will soon follow.) Although it may be obvious to many, rapcore is now a part of the same list. Those in the genre who wish to survive are wisely moving away from the straight-edged guitar and rap…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Josh McConnellAfter being bumped back once, Squint Entertainment's newest group 38th Parallel has finally released their debut album, Turn the Tides. Unlike other recent attempts at rock music, Turn the Tides doesn't get annoying and/or repetitive. Sounding a lot like Pax217 and Pillar, this 10-track album is definitely an ear pleaser for fans of the genre. While the majority of the album is rock, you will…Similar sounding releases
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