The Christian rock band Leeland formed in 2004 and its origins can be traced back to Baytown, Texas. Leeland's debut album was SOUND OF MELODIES (2006, Essential Records). Group members were: Leeland Mooring (lead vocals, guitar), Jack Mooring (vocals, keys), Jeremiah Wood (lead guitar), Jake Holtz (bass), and Mike Smith (drums). Producers used on this album were Matt Bronleewe, Steve Hindalong, and Mark Byrd. SOUND OF MELODIES was nominated for a Grammy Award for 'Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album' and Dove Awards for 'Praise and Worship Album of the Year' and 'Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year'. Leeland also got a Dove nom in 2007 for 'New Artist of the Year'.
Starting things off is the title track, 'Sound of Melodies', written by Leeland Dayton Mooring, Jack Anthony Mooring, and Steve Wilson. This modern worship song speaks of life transformation: "We who were called to be Your people/Struggling sinners and thieves/We're lifted up from the ashes/And out came the song of the redeemed/The song of the redeemed/Can You hear the sound of melodies/Oh, the sound of melodies/Rising up to You/Rising up to You, God?" 'Reaching' is a pop/rock song from the heart: "Here on this earth we lift our eyes to the stars/We seek all You are/We seek You/And it's for You/It's all for You/We're breaking off our chains to run to You/Would You fill our hearts, oh, fill our songs?" 'Yes You Have' was penned by Leeland and Jack Mooring and Matt Bronleewe. It was nominated for a Dove Award for 'Worship Song of the Year'. It offers these wonderful words of testimony: "With Your love You set me free/Three nails gave me liberty/So I'll sing Your praise/My God, I'll sing Your praise/Oh, with Your love You forgave my sin/Forgot my past/And brought me back again/So I'll sing Your praise/I'll sing Your praise, yeah".
Brothers Leeland and Jack Mooring wrote 'Tears of the Saints'. It runs over six minutes long and was nominated for a Dove Award for 'Song of the Year'. This adult contemporary song has a heart for prodigals: "There are tears from the saints for the lost and unsaved/We're crying for them come back home (2X)/And all Your children will stretch out their hands/And pick up the crippled man/Father, we will lead them home (2X)". 'Beautiful Lord' places full trust in God: "When the storm is raging all around me/You are the peace that calms my troubled sea/And when the cares of this world darken my day/You are the light that shines and shows me the way/Oh, the beauty of Your majesty/On the cross You showed Your love for me!"
Leeland Mooring and Steve Hindalong (The Choir, Lost Dogs) co-wrote 'Can't Stop', a great pop/rock track that celebrates God's love for us: "You've risen like the sun/Darkness fades with the dawn/I know You are the radiant one/And You give me light/Your love is in my heart tonight (2X)/I can't stop, I can't stop falling in love with You (2X)". 'Lift Your Eyes' is a bouncy pop song of spiritual invitation: "You can lift your eyes/Come to the cross/There is healing for all who come".
Next up is 'Hey', another bouncy pop number that uses hand claps and delights in the Lord: "And I said/'Hey, You're the one that I've been looking for/And I found You here'" (2X). Leeland Mooring, Steve Hindalong, Marc Byrd, and David Stukenberg wrote 'Too Much' which sonically sounds like Phil Keaggy. It has very relatable lyrics: "All these cliffs and all these heights/They've just been too high to climb/Too high, too high/All these waves and all these seas/Have all been crashing down on me/Too much, too much".
'How Wonderful' is a beautiful modern worship ballad: "How wonderful, how lovely is Your Name/You captivate our hearts/You save us by Your grace/And You are closer than a brother, Jesus.../Oh, the name of Jesus". Last up is 'Carried to the Table', on which Marc Byrd plays ambient guitar. All Christians should appreciate these words: "I was carried to the table/Seated where I don't belong/Carried to the table/Swept away by His love/And I don't see my brokenness anymore/When I'm seated at the table of the Lord/I'm carried to the table/The table of the Lord".
SOUND OF MELODIES is a flawless, excellent album! Hard to believe it was a debut album! It's a good mix of modern worship and pop/rock sounds. There is almost an even mix of fast and slower songs. The main theme is that God has redeemed us through the crosswork of Jesus Christ. God is merciful and loving towards us. He longs for prodigals and those who have never been in a personal relationship with Him to run into His loving, accepting arms. Our response to God's love and mercy, as demonstrated on this record, should be to praise and worship Him joyfully and gratefully. Fans of Sanctus Real, Downhere, and Kutless should add this album, which I'm rating 100%, to their collection. For more info visit www.leelandonline.com and/or connect with them on Facebook.