26. Chosen Ones

 BACKGROUND:

Chosen Ones is an experiment of sorts. ApologetiX decided the time came to release some of their "unreleased parodies" (this will be further explained in the critique), and they decided to let their fans vote on which ones they would like to see released. The top 10 ended up as the setlist at a concert in Lisbourn, OH, which would become the setlist for this album. On top of those top 10, ApologetiX added another 2 songs. These 2 songs are re-records of "previously unreleased tracks" (this too will need for explanation in the critique). In total, this album consists of 12 parodies.

TITLE:

The title is self-explanatory from the background. This album is Chosen Ones because 10 songs are chosen by fans and 2 songs are chosen by the band. So many stories in books, movies and television center around a character that is a "chosen one." In his notes, lead singer and lyricist J. Jackson acknowledges that the idea of a chosen one probably stems from the Bible. Luke 18:7, John 15:16, Ephesians 1:11, Colossians 3:12 and 1 Peter 1:2 & 2:9 all take about God's people as "chosen ones." Therefore, "Chosen Ones" is very fitting for an album of a Christian band, even a Christian parody band.

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES:

Once again, I will be upfront about my bias against live albums. Live albums, by nature, are always a downgrade from studio albums. The music has to compete with environmental factors, from screaming fans to technical difficulties. Even when touched up in a studio later, the producers can only do so much with the 1 take. Studio albums have the opportunity to re-record, re-edit and re-master songs over several takes, producing the best quality music. Most often, live albums end up being "just good enough."

With this live album, however, I find myself in an emotional push-and-pull, going back and forth mentally, to the point of contradicting myself, which might make me sound hypocritcal. On one hand, I love the fact that 10 of these 12 songs are brand new technically (I promise I will get to explaining that soon), so the fans feel like they get their money's worth because they bought new songs, not just downgraded repeats from studio albums. On the other hand, I hate the fact that 10 of the 12 songs on the album are brand new because I would have preferred this album be studio recorded, not recorded live. Then fans would have gotten the best quality versions of these songs, not just a good enough quality. You may see me flip-flop between the two throughout this critique, but I will try to be consistent and fair. If somebody to force me to pick a side, I would probably fall on the side of loving that they are technically brand news, and there's a good reason behind it, which I will get into now.

Now comes the time to carefully define why these are "unleased parodies." A lot, if not most, of the fan chosen songs are from either the Rare Not Well Done rarities or ApologetiX's cassettes or both. ApologetiX considers neither Rare Not Well Done rarities nor ApologetiX's cassettes as part of their discography, so neither will I. I will steps out of bounds for that rule, however, just to make one simple remark. I think the ApologetiX handled these songs in the best way possible. They knew these parodies have theological value in their lyrics, but they also knew the music of the spoofs didn't sound good. Doing a live album of their earliest songs pays off for both fans. For the older fans, they don't have to pay money for a re-recording on a new studio album when they already had a recording on an old studio album; they simply get a new version, which is a live version. For the newer fans, they get to hear the song for the first time, in a way ApologetiX can feel proud. It's a win-win for both fans and the band alike.

I do have some criticisms about the setlist, but ultimately, I really can't complain that much because the fans choose them, not the band. I would like to criticize the fact that there's 2 Beatles songs and 2 Led Zepplin songs on here. I expect that from an early ApologetiX album, but I do not expect it from a later ApologetiX album, which consistently has a secular artist only represented once per album. Listen, I love the Beatles and Led Zepplin just as much as the next person. In fact, I might even say the Beatles are my favorite secular band off all-time, but 1 representation per album is enough. The different subject matter, however, does space them apart. "Hell!" (parody of "Help!" is about how hell is literally a real place. "Revelation" (parody of "Revolution") is not about the book of Revelation, as one might think, but about people who claim to know the truth apart form God. "Kosmik" (parody of "Kashmir" is about the sun and moon stopping for Joshua and the Israelites. "Narrow Way to Heaven" (parody of "Stairway to Heaven" is about Jesus is the only way. Speaking of subject matter, another criticism might be the repeat of subject matter. This album has 2 songs about hell: "Hell!" (parody of "Help!" by the Beatles) and "Fly Away From Hell" (parody of  "Highway to Hell" by AC/DC). To be fair, though, full studio albums from ApologetiX also have 2 songs retelling the same story from the Bible. Again, ultimately, the band cannot receive the blame for these song choices, for the fans chose them.

Now I could criticize the band for the last 2 songs, for those were chosen by ApologetiX, but I really can't. Before I go too deep into this section, let me carefully define how these are "previously" unreleased tracks. According to J.'s journal, both "Two Time Baby/Lord's House Blues" (parody of "Love Me Two Times/Roadhouse Blues" by The Doors) and "Narrow Way to Heaven" (parody of "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zepplein) were planned to be recorded live for Hits: The Road, but those recordings turned out badly, so they were scrapped from the final cut of Hits: The Road. When the band attempted another recording for Chosen Ones, they turned out good, so they made the final cut of Chosen Ones. Let me tell you, "Two Times Baby/Lord's House Blues" is definitely most welcomed. "Two Times Baby/Lord's House Blues" has its studio recording on Apol-acoustiX, and this one of the songs I lament missing bass, drums and keys. Finally, it has bass, drums and keys! The listener can feel the heart Bill Hubauer put into the keys solo. J. legitimately sounds like Jim Morrison. It's sad that I appreciate a live rendition of a song over the studio recording. J. also did a good job of mashing up 2 Doors songs that don't necessarily go together to make 1 smooth song. "Narrow Way to Heaven" also deserves its spot. According to J. (if I recall correctly), when ApologetiX receives testimonies on how their music brought people to Christ, the number 1 song that comes up is "Narrow Way to Heaven." For that alone, the band should capture the live performance that has made so many people receive the altar call. The mixing does a good job too. It almost sounds as good as the studio recording.

The one criticism I do believe ApologetiX deserves for Chosen One is its length. It's kind of short, with only 12 tracks on it. I expect this from their newer albums (not saying I'm pleased about it, though), but I don't expect it from their older albums. Yes, "Narrow Way to Heaven" is 8 minutes, but they have the same songs on Jesus Christ Morning Star has the song, and it still fits 10 more tracks. I guess "Kosmik" at 7 1/2 minutes was the killer?

FAVORITE SONG: "Two Time Baby/Lord's House Blues" (parody of "Love Me Two Times/Roadhouse Blues" by The Doors) 

Yeah, everybody probably saw this one coming. I really do feel bad about picking this one. So many unreleased parodies on this album, even if it is their first release from Rare not Well Done rarities or a cassette, and I went with the one that also occurs on an album that just came out 2 years earlier. It really does make that big of a difference. I could probably stomach through those Rare not Well Done rarities or the cassettes. At least they have a full band. Apol-acoustiX songs miss out without the bass, drums and keys. I cannot stomach through that. I will not repeat all the reasons I love the Chosen Ones version of the song over Apol-acoustiX's version, but I will simply repeat that it's sad that I get so happy about a live version over a studio recording.

FINAL VERDICT: 26th

Despite the fact this is a live album, ApologetiX does this live album well. They have created a win-win scenario by re-recording songs which mostly come from their cassettes and their Rare not Well Done rarities. By doing so, new fans will hear old classics for the first time and old fans will hear better quality versions of the songs which made them fall in love with the ApologetiX. Even the 2 newer songs, which both and old and new fans would recognize, feel fitting for this setlist, as 1 receives much needed improvements and other has cemented itself as important in ApologetiX history. Still, this album has its shortcomings. The buyer ends up spending just as much on this album of 12 tracks as on an album with 18-22 tracks. While probably the most polished live album from the ApologetiX, it still has some unescapable live album flaws. The pure music cannot escape from the distractions on stage and in the crowd. While at no fault from the band, the fans have comprised a setlist which repeats songs from the same original source and the same theological theme, which causes a lack of variety. This is indeed one of the better live albums for the ApologetiX, but it is still a live album nonetheless, and it will end up on the bottom of the rankings with the rest of the live albums.

26. Chosen Ones
27. 20:20 Vision
28. Hits: The Road
29. Soundproof
30. Apol-acoustiX