Fans of alternative rock don't need to head halfway between the North Pole and the Equator for good music, but they should try listening to the 45th Parallel's second LP, take 2.This fierce trio are all about quality music that will tilt the earth's axis.Beginning in 2003 as a four-man band, the group widdled itself down to three, and lead singer, Mike Rhodes, stepped up as leader guitarist after founding member and CO-songwriter, Sam Nappi, left the group in 2006. Mike has a multifaceted voice reminiscent of Metallica frontman, James Hetfield. A talented chameleon, he's able to effortlessly mold to different styles. One moment he will be rocking out in So I, then he'll slow it down with a slightly melancholy tune in Deep. No matter the song, Mike is very in tune with the overall feelings and messages of his songs.On the guitar, Rhodes stretches his talents. Take Me Down dabbles with acoustic, transitioning into their normal electric sound.Michael's younger brother, Rob Rhodes, provides the drums and backup vocals. Rhodes demonstrates great control in Deep, with this reserved intensity that leaves listeners eagerly waiting for what he will do next. Perhaps it's their brotherly bond, but on Faded, the two Rhodes play off each other, showing they have fun with their music and aren't afraid to tweak their sound. Rob doesn't get too fancy on the drums, but he does keep the energy high, setting the bar for his two band mates.Bassist, Jason Wright, recently replaced Mike Cook, who had to bow out due to family constraints. While Wright has carved out his own spot in the band since Cook's departure, listeners can't help but feel Cook's intensity on the album. Grinder is the kind of song that would play in a mobster movie where there's a slow-chase; similar to the hare coursing scene in Snatch, where the rabbit narrowly escapes the attacking dogs. Cook gives the song that edge that makes it borderline creepy and dazzling.Similarly, So I is a track that'll make listeners wish they knew how to dirt-bike. It's something that would be played at the X-Games because it doesn't let-up and is great from start-to-finish.What Do You Want is one of those hard rock tracks that are great on their own, but way more effective live. The song seems as if it was wrote to be played on stage.The band gets their fervor from listening to Led Zepplin, Foo Fighters, Nirvana, The Eagles and Alice in Chains.The 45th Parallel plans to play local shows and a couple out-of-towners. For more information, or to order their LP, go to www.myspace.com\u002F45thparallelband