"Psst-Hey kid, come over here."
"Yeah, that's right, you-the one with the headphones."
"Do you want to hear some real alternative music?"
"Open up the ol' tape player and put this in."
In my dream world, this is how I would introduce the latest release from John Elefante, Windows Of Heaven, to the uninitiated grunge/alternative rocker. Those of you already familiar with Elefante's music are probably already preparing to exercise some Christian discipline upon me for lying about the "real alternative" comment. In my defense, let me offer this definition of alternative: "existing or functioning outside the established cultural, social, or economic system." In today's pop/rock scene, alternative is the mainstream and the true alternative music is straight ahead rock that can contain, (gasp!), a positive message.
Elefante, with a lot of assistance from his brother, Dino, has crafted a rock album that does a great job of expressing this alternative message. The song styles include rock-ballads, blues-rock and straight-ahead pop/rock. Each style is well done, and demonstrates the width of talent and experience Elefante brings to the project. The overall style of the album is very '80s rock, but it doesn't sound dated at all. For example, the first two songs sound to me like what Genesis would have sounded like if Peter Gabriel had continued with the band.
The lyrics are unabashedly Christian; Elefante knows what he believes and expresses it clearly. The most lyrically powerful song is "No One's Ever Died For Me Before." It's a song about understanding what true love really is and means. The song, "Hello My Good Friend," expresses the theme of the album: "we may have troubles and ways that we need to grow, but, thanks to Jesus, we are still God's good friends." While I wouldn't classify the songs as evangelistic, I believe a seeker could learn a lot and enjoy the music at the same time.
While I still enjoy the angst-filled lyrics of modern music, it's good to listen to an album that reminds me that God is alive and more than willing to help. This album fits that qualification perfectly.
Other coverage for this album
Heaven's Metal #54Reviewed by David MuttilloThe number of Christian pop albums I've actually enjoyed are few in number. However, Windows of Heaven is one of those few. With Windows of Heaven, John Elefante has moved a step back from Mastedon to a lighter, more popular musical style without taking a single step back in the quality of his first solo offering. The album opens with the "Hello, My Good Friend" representing a tasteful, tamer…Similar sounding releases
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