As icons come and go, there's probably no better metaphorical image for the spiritual and literal terra firma that is Orange County, Southern California--the conservative Christian stronghold and creative hotbed for most Christian rock and alternative music--than that of John Wayne, the gun-toting movie star, pilgrim in a strange land and model for self-reliant individualism gone awry. On John Wayne, Terry S. Taylor--arguably the father of modern Christian rock--continues exploring the meaning of life and faith, the purpose of music and art, and the struggle to live meaningfully in a world overly impressed with commercial success and driven by self-centered need. It's hard to live in a "Boom Town" when you've got "Writer's Block." It's difficult to tell the truth in love, when "You Told Them Exactly What I Didn't Say." Musically, Taylor touches all the important bases. There's some country shtick in "Ten Gallon Hat," right down to the yodel and whistle. Lush vocal harmonies recall the Beach Boys (Taylor was the mastermind behind Surfonic Water Revival, after all), while smart Beatlesque melodies and edgy guitar sounds duel for dominance. Putting the exultation of youth to shame, Taylor rocks, but he does it in a tuneful, intelligent way. Experience and craft, depth, insight and heart should not be undervalued. As is Taylor's way, these tunes flow from difficulty to resolution, from life in pieces to peace of mind, although it is not strictly a concept album. The hero is distracted and underpaid in "Writer's Block" and "Mr. Flutter," misunderstood in "Too Many Angels" and "What I Didn't Say," and the evil ones prosper in "Big Shot" and "Miniature Girl." The hero faces his shortcomings in "Ten Gallon Hat," debunks false gods in "Hey, John Wayne," and finds that God's love is a sustaining presence in "Chicken Crosses the Road" and "You Lay Down." I'll be surprised if Christian music releases a smarter, more fun album this year--and certainly not one that bridges rock's greatest influences with a sound that's so right and of the moment. But that's just my opinion. It hasn't changed about Terry Taylor since Alarma.