| Musical Style: Melodic Rock | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Escape Music | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2022 | Artist Website: John Elefante |
| Tracks: 11 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 56:24 |
If you know anything about John Elefante, you probably enjoy melodic rock and AOR. The former Kansas vocalist got his start fronting the classic progressive rock group’s eighth and ninth albums Vinyl Confessions and Drastic Measures from 1982 and 1983, respectively, prior to branching out and releasing a pair of albums with his Mastedon project, including 1989 debut It’s A Jungle Out There and sophomore effort Lofcaudio from a year later. Artist remained busy throughout the nineties by recording three solo albums, Windows Of Heaven (1995), Corridors (1997) and Defying Gravity (1999), only to stay on the sidelines until 2009 with the release of the appropriately entitled third Mastedon album III followed by his fourth solo offering On My Way To The Sun in 2013.
April of 2022 finds Elefante returning with his fifth solo album The Amazing Grace, sixth if you count the 2010 re-release to III under the John Elefante heading and new title Revolution Of Mind. The Amazing Grace fails to disappoint from staying true to the same type of signature AOR and melodic rock home to commercial melodies, polished production and soaring vocals to define artists solo material and work with Mastedon. That said, the album also does not consist of basic three-minute verse chorus verse radio friendly pop songs but rather encompasses intricately woven and deeply structured material often approaching the five and six minute range. It would not be out of line to suggest the progressive influence from Elefante’s time in Kansas plays no small role in this regard, although unlike III and On My Way To The Sun, The Amazing Grace (sadly) is not rounded out with a ten minute epic.
Lone complaint revolves around packaging. Whereas cover art is fine, mini booklet to the digi-pak packaging includes lyrics in a small, blurry font as to be near unreadable, while also fails to mention the talented musicians performing on the album. Good news is that album title as well as those of several songs point to a theme based around grace. Further details from the albums liner notes:
‘These songs were written mostly from a deep place in my heart, which in essence stirred up feeling of hope, grace and forgiveness, and most of all the realization that all the while God is and was in control. He gives us the strength and tenacity to forge ahead, and a certainty that we ‘will be fine’ if we rely on Him’.
Stately opener “City Of Grace” slowly flows in to choir vocals and narration from Matthew 6:19 ahead of immediately launching in to its majestic refrain, sustaining the sublime form its span as Elefante stretches and reveals the full depth to his silky smooth, classic tenor vocal abilities. If anything, his performance reveals him not losing anything in terms of range over the years. Closing the album is a ‘long version’ to “City Of Grace” (six minutes as opposed to four) to feature a lengthier fade in opening and several beginning verses not included on the ‘short version’. Lyric snippet:
I see a blinding light, I feel it healing me
Everyone used to be so afraid
But now hardened hearts are melting down
And they are running for that city on the hill
Welcome here my friends
To a world that knows no end
Welcome here today
Into the City of Grace
“Stronger Now” ups tempo to heavier rocking territory. With organ decorating the backend, the song intermingles between softer passages with acoustic traces and those to play up guitars on the more forthright side, all the while upholding a melody of the plainspoken variety. Instrumental moments play up guitar with an almost Country Western twang (in a positive sense).
Albums title track begins in somber fashion to ethereal keyboards and viola before turning into a classic ballad, home to abundant vocal melodies (placidly carrying the glistening verse sections) and enchanting melody (interwoven with the every bit dignified refrain). Quality to “The Amazing Grace” is such that if you tacked on a couple added progressive minutes it would not sound out of place on any Shadow Gallery album. Lyric snippet:
And all the kings horses and all the kings men
Will rescue you, and put you back together again
This time was appointed for this day to come
With all of God’s angels, with all of His might
Will pick you up, and put you back together again
This was appointed for this day to come
It’s the Amazing Grace
“Time Machine” is one of albums most creative and best. It starts to piano prior to pushing forward in uplifting up-tempo fashion, stylish in terms of its alternating between mirthful pop based moments and those in which guitars take an added forward stance. Vocal melodies are near mesmerizing as Elefante again shines with his crystalline delivery, while lead guitar is every bit elevated (wish I knew whom is responsible so I could provide attribution). In the end, this one reflects some of those Kansas nuances in question.
Speaking of which, “Won’t Fade Away” also touches upon a light progressiveness with its Kansas inspired fiddle mixed with piano and light electric guitar to point toward the ballad like. Yet, time signatures to more focuses passages make a heavier rocking statement is initiative flexes in definitive form. The regal atmosphere that results hints of Mastedon track “Shine On” (off It’s A Jungle Out There). Lyric snippet:
And there is no end, and no science can’t explain
How a man can live forever, by a debt already paid
And the Son rises and darkness fades away
Give me something we can believe in
I need something that won’t fade away
There must be more than I see day to day
I will hold on to hope while I can
“Not Alone”, albums lengthiest at six minutes, also mirrors the ballad like but in a classic sense. It flows grand and stately to breathing bass and endearing guitars - I cannot say enough good things about albums transparent production - as luxurious vocal melodies and equally imposing refrain reflect upon the bountiful. I particularly enjoy the instrumental fade out covering the final two minutes.
“Falling In To Place” presents with a graceful presence as acoustic guitar and classical instrumentation coalesce alongside embedded keyboards. Upshot is a song that might not quite skirt ballad territory but also does not approach the heavier side in falling in between. Regardless, the resplendent melody allows the song to fill out its five and half minutes without coming across redundant, a defining aspect to The Amazing Grace material. Lyric snippet:
He worries all the time, he’ll never be redeemed
For all the sins, mistakes he’s made, the broken dreams
And it starts falling into place
Day after day
I see it falling into place
Day after day
And in the end there’s only love, and love will change
The broken heart, the hopelessness will fade away
“We Will Be Fine” begins to a drum solo before mirroring laid back and reserved AOR with a commercial edge. Bass reflects the jazzy and piano a classical semblance as the song flows with its pristine sensibilities, lushly done with a glossy mid-tempo demeanor but also hinting of periodic refined guitar edges.
“Little Brown Book” represents this reviewers choice cut as one of albums heaviest. It stands out with hard rock guitar riffs reminiscent to Kansas hit “Fight Fire With Fire” (off Drastic Measures), emanating the focuses as it gets up-tempo but not forsaking the accessible as weighty hooks play a recognizable at once role. One cannot help but be impressed with the fantastic guitar work. Lyric snippet:
Like being in a gold mine, not knowing what you’ll find
It’s of the rarest kind, now give it all away
If not for one thing, it doesn’t mean anything
But all I need is this Little Brown Book
So many listening, but they’re not hearing
We comprehend but they don’t make their way down to the soul
Won’t you get back in line, keep your mind on the prize
Just take yourself out of the way and face a band new day
“And When I’m Gone” closes the album as a classic ballad, drifting front to back to gentle piano but with keyboards, classical instrumentation and acoustic guitar in the distance. A strong melody all the while builds upon the pleasing scene.
The Amazing Grace equates to another strong solo album from John Elefante. Yes, it brings top-notch vocals and the quality songwriting one expects from the artist and backs it with full production and equally adept musicianship. Whereas I favor some songs over others, it would also not be out of line to suggest the album does not include a bad track either. Only thing I might add is that packaging does not meet expectations, and I wish another upbeat rocker along lines of “Time Machine” and “Little Brown Book” had been included. That said if a fan of Elefante’s solo material or Mastedon project, then The Amazing Grace will not fail to disappoint.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “City Of Grace” (4:12), “Stronger Now” (4:40), “The Amazing Grace” (5:20), “Time Machine” (4:50), “Won’t Fade Away” (5:15), “Not Alone” (6:40), “Falling In To Place” (5:24), “We Will Be Fine” (4:21), “Little Brown Book” (5:02), “And When I’m Gone” (4:21), City Of Grace” (long version) (6:16)
