CD REVIEW: Love is on the Move

With every CD, the Grammy-nominated progressive-rock band Leeland seems to change their style a little. Their first record, Sound of Melodies, had a unique melodic rock sound with a touch of the indie stylings made popular by artists like Jon Foreman. Opposite Way paved the way for a bolder, rockier sound driven by energetic guitar and drums. In their newly-released Love is on the Move, Leeland fuses the best of both worlds -- the melodic, alternative charm of their debut CD with the youthful, catchy tunes of their sophomore record -- into a collection of expansive, beautifully-orchestrated songs filled with more variety than the band has ever shown before.

Leeland is known for writing songs that send challenging messages about the Christian life, and in that respect, this record is no different: poverty, suffering, and human weakness are just a few of the themes that the band explores in Love is on the Move. To add context to the songs that follow, Leeland opens their record with The Door, a vivid reminder of the rewards that await believers in heaven, and an invitation to exalt Jesus as the only way to get there. In their liner notes, the band calls the song "an anthem," and it certainly lives up to this description -- it's packed with passion, energy, and joy (Leeland's smile is almost audible as he sings the opening verses). It's a lively and colourful opener that really captures the spirit of Christian hope.

The next track, Follow You, is a collaboration with singer Brandon Heath that explores what it means to pursue Christ. Today, most people interpret "following Jesus" as something that concerns the career they choose, the spouse they marry, or the church they attend. But Leeland reminds listeners that people who want to follow Christ wholeheartedly must also be willing to enter "the homes of the broken" and the lives of "the poor and the needy" -- a message that is desperately needed in an increasingly self-centered and apathetic world. In addition to its compelling lyrics, the song is very evocative musically -- there's a touch of melancholy in the melody which seems to echo the pleading voices of the poor and convey the urgency of their needs. But there's more to this track than meets the ear. During their upcoming tour, Leeland will help listeners translate the song's message into action by partnering with Food for the Hungry to give concertgoers an opportunity to sponsor children from developing countries. 'Follow You' is set to make a difference not only in the hearts of listeners, but also in the lives of needy children all around the world.

Translated, Via Dolorosa means "the way of grief," a reference to the road upon which Jesus walked as he carried his cross to Calvary. While I hate to nitpick, I have to mention that the band's pronounciation of the word "dolorosa" sounds more like "delarosa" (which means "way of the rose"), but thankfully, this does little to detract from the song's meaning. Its lyrics are deeply rooted in the gospel, describing Christ's love and sacrifice in a way that both humbles and emboldens the listener. Although this chapter of Christ's journey is usually portrayed with somberness, Leeland tells about the Via Dolorosa with a sense of triumph and awe, fusing energetic rock rhythms and melodic violin embellishments into a lavish and victorious song of praise.

In Pure Bride, Leeland experiments with an ambient style that combines a dream-like climate reminiscent of Revelation with rich lyrical imagery and a joyful call to "make way for the Lord." The lyrics are straightforward and simple, but each word is treated with a deep sincerity that invites focused reflection and worship. The accompaniment starts off sparse before crescendoing into a sweeping chorus of praise that includes -- surprisingly -- a children's choir. If this sounds cheesy to you, don't worry: the track is as genuine and honest as any of Leeland's songs, and it retains every bit of the contemporary, youthful vibe that fans have come to love.

The lyrics of Carry Me on Your Back are written like a prayer, asking God to help the speaker "through the storm." The music, at first listen, may seem too upbeat and cheerful for the song's subject matter, which talks about furnaces, raging oceans, and darkness, but that's precisely the object of this track -- instead of dwelling on negative feelings, it focuses on the power of God and the "promise [that] never fails." The next track, New Creation is a joyful reflection on the fresh-start freedom that Christ has given his followers. Backed by upbeat, rhythmic percussion and electric guitar, the song has a distinct teen appeal, and since it's catchy and easy to sing along to, it'll probably become a youth-group staple for years to come.

Don't be fooled by the title of Lift Your Eyes Up -- it's very different from the 'Lift Your Eyes' on Leeland's debut CD. This track is a heartfelt message to Christians going through difficult experiences ("It feels as though your world's crashing down ... The sun has gone / your heart is dry..."). As a listener, it's extremely comforting to hear lyrics that genuinely understand and sympathize with your pain, but the song isn't all about commiseration -- it also offers earnest encouragement ("Come on, come on / lift your eyes up!") that leaves listeners motivated to delve deeper into their faith during times of trouble. Besides its beautifully-crafted lyrics, this track is (on a musical level) one of the most melodic and moving songs that Leeland has ever recorded.

Band pianist Jack Mooring calls the song Weak Man "intense," and with good reason: it invites listeners to look at the issue of human weakness as an opportunity to make God "higher" in their lives. Accepting -- and becoming content with -- one's weakness takes trust and humility, and it's certainly not a message that the average reputation-obsessed, control-desiring person likes to hear, so Leeland deserves props for standing by this message unashamed. For me, however, the song's melody isn't as memorable as that of other tracks; musically, it doesn't quite live up to the intensity of its lyrics.

One of the most powerful tracks on the album is its title track, Love is On The Move. The song is a hope-filled reminder that God is working day by day to meet humanity's need for love ("Love is on the move / revealing Heaven's truth / love is on its way and it will find you..."). Its melody is backed by a sweeping orchestral arrangement which perfectly captures the overwhelming awe felt by believers when they meditate on their Father's love. If you're looking for a song that will engulf you in the wonder of God, you won't be disappointed by track 9.

Returning to a guitar- and drum-driven rock style, Leeland exhorts Christians to Learn to Love ("Come on, where's the love that makes us stronger / binds the hearts of every colour? ... We're all God's children now!"). Though the song's main theme centers around showing love to fellow Christians, Leeland adds a few worship elements to the lyrics ("Jesus is the King / we lift our voice and sing"), as if to remind listeners that loving people and loving God are inseparable qualities -- it is only through Jesus that human communities can truly be 'bound' and 'strengthened.'

Wrapping the album up, Holy Spirit Have Your Way is a touching commitment to "surrender all" to God. The song is closer to pop than anything that Leeland has done before, and it introduces a gospel choir in the chorus (another first for the band) which adds a wonderfully soulful quality to an otherwise-mellow song. The bonus track My Jesus follows in a similar vein, with reflective, poetic lyrics based on the Biblical metaphor 'living water': "Here on the bank I stand / in the water is the hope of man / unclean I fall before you now / Jesus come wash me inside out." The album ends just as it had begun -- with worship, and with a reminder of God's crucial, infinitely vital role in our lives.

Leeland has established a strong identity in the CCM market with their distinctive style, bold lyrics, and beyond-the-stage faith. While this CD shows some departure from their previous work, the band stays true to their compelling message and youthful spirit. It's a record that both established fans and first-time listeners are bound to enjoy.

Article by Oksana K.
Image credits: Graphic by Oksana K. Photograph by Jeremy Cowart.
Visit Leeland's website.

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