Genre: Hard Rock, Hip-Hop/Rap
Members: Mark Jennings (vocals), Nate Rippke (vocals), Shane Moe (guitars), Jeff Barton (bass), Aaron Nordyke (drums)
For fans of: Incubus, Linkin Park, P.O.D., Nickelback, Default
Label: Warner Records

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Relaxing over a quiet breakfast, the members of Ames, Iowa-based 38th Parallel pause to consider the question, "what is the most exciting thing about being signed to a major label recording contract?" After a thoughtful consideration, drummer Aaron Nordyke says, "Well, we get to wear somewhat cooler clothes than when we worked at Dairy Queen." Peels of laughter threaten to disrupt diners at the small sandwich shop, as bassist Jeff Barton (also a DQ veteran) adds, "Don't get us wrongthose were great uniforms. And they were cleaned and pressed for us every day!"

"Small town boys make good" might well be the best way to sum up the breakout career of 38th Parallel. Turn the Tides, its Squint Entertainment debut produced by Tony McAnany (P.O.D., Madonna, Missy Elliot) is equal parts wistfulness and angst; melodic, riff-based rock and urban rhythms; gorgeous harmonies and gruff hip-hop rhymesas Barton describes it, "huge, 'rock star' choruses, with rhymes and lyrics that really make you stop and think." Gripping, thought-provoking lyrics are delivered by co-lead vocalists Mark Jennings and Nathan Rippke; the groove-oriented low end is supplied by Barton and Nordyke, while guitarist Shane Moe rips through the mix with slashing lead and rhythm guitar runs. "We've put our own twist on hard music," asserts Shane. "Yeah, we've got guitar, bass and drums; we've got some hip-hop rhyming and some singing. But I think we've got a fairly individual lyrical perspective."

The song "Horizon," a unanimous favorite of the band, might best sum up the unique sound on Turn the Tides. "It's got everything," explains Nathan. "A soft verse, then it busts it hard. Pretty singing, heavy singing, driving rap, clean guitars, dirty guitars, funky drums. I'm a big vibe person and that song has a tremendous vibe. It's very warm, very pleasant. It sounds like hope, if that makes any sense at all." "The goal of the CD," adds Aaron, "is to impact people, to challenge them to think about a new way of life with Christ's love at the center."

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