|
For some reason it seems that it was only a year
ago that Leeland released their sophomore album
Opposite Way. Well that's probably because it was
only last spring when Leeland put out their
second album. Skipping straight to the punch
line, it seems that Leeland's quick follow-up
album, Love Is On The Move may not have been the
best move at all. After the band's popular debut,
Sound of Melodies, the group certainly brought
energy to worship music along with big
expectations. Expectations that Leeland matched
with their refined sophomore album. But, suddenly
almost every single facet of Leeland's unique
qualities seems to have been greatly watered down.
To begin with what makes Love Is On The Move
uneventful, is that there are no songs which
resemble the rising worship song “Sound of
Melodies.” There are no tracks which quite
capture the artistry of “Opposite Way.” Or “Tears
Of The Saint.” Or “Brighter Days.” Or “Count Me
In.” Or even “Yes You Have.” It's not to say that
Leeland doesn't try similar formulas. In fact,
the title track attempts a hybrid of rising
worship music with a light artistic touch to form
a solid track. But the single “Follow You” sounds
like a less passionate version of “Yes You Have,”
and guest vocalist Brandon Heath fails to impact
the song in a significant way.
While Love Is On the Move does features a handful
of good tracks, it feels more like several
run-of-the-mill worship tracks strung together by
Leeland Mooring's voice. Probably the most
memorable track is “Pure Bride” which begins
with a great alternative/worship sound which then
shifts to an upbeat stanza which captures
Morning's anticipation for the Second Coming…
Unfortunately the song doesn't end there. Leeland
interjects a brief, but prominent warning, "What
are you doing when no one is watching/what are
you doing/children get your hearts right/God's
coming for a pure bride," which fits into the
context of the song but tips the musical
equilibrium in the wrong direction. Other
mishaps include the gradual upbeat tone of the
piano driven “Via Delarosa” (AKA Road of
Suffering and not a Sandi Patty cover) which
should have remained light and melancholy
considering the events leading up to the death of
our Lord, and “Lift Your Eyes Up” where Morning's
driving voice has the music playing catch-up for
the entire song. The guitar fueled “New Creation”
borders on unbearable due to Mooring's
attempts to stretch his vocals to Phil Keaggy territory.
Part of the attraction of previous efforts was
the inspiring love songs to our Creator, but this
time around they seem scarcer or, at least, less
distinctive. “The Door” showcases some
surprisingly shallow and cliché lyrics ("and
we're walking together/Holding hands/Oh I wish
it's just you and me Jesus") on an album which
just isn't as impacting or original than the
band's former releases. But the underlining
theme, caring for the poor and needy, is vented
well through the examples in the title track and
on “Follow You” ("And I´ll... /Follow You into
the homes of the broken /Follow You into the
world /Meet the needs for the poor and the needy, God").
One could point to Leeland's new producer Ed Cash
(producer of the not-always-original Chris
Tomlin) as the source for Leeland's slide into
the mediocrity. But despite all of Love Is On The
Move's flaws, it's still better than your average
praise and worship recording, as it offers mostly
biblically based lyrics on top of a fairly
complex, alternative influenced, music platform.
But considering Leeland's prior stellar
performances, the band's third album falls short of their potential.
- Review date: 8/17/09, written by Nathaniel Schexnayder of Jesusfreakhideout.com
|
 |
|
|
For anyone who has taken the time to listen their way through the past two studio albums from Leeland,
chances are you've come to really enjoy their music. Unfortunately, most bands always have a letdown album somewhere along
the way, and this one somewhat seems to capture that description. After building some anticipation following the
announcement that the lead single, "Follow You," would feature Brandon Heath, it was a disappointment when the track ended
up being mediocre, at best. The same can be said when talking about a majority of the cuts on this record. Being blunt,
Love Is On The Move is nothing more than your average, middle-of-the-road Christian worship album. A few tracks
stand out ("The Door" and "Weak Man"), and make no mistake that the lyrics are rather creative and profound, as they have
always been and always will be with a great band like Leeland. But in the end, when the music itself falls short, so
does the record as a whole.
- Logan Leasure of Jesusfreakhideout.com
|
|
|
Record Label: Essential Records
