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Leeland
“Opposite Way”
Essential Records
11 tracks @ 40:36
Grade =A
Lead singer Leeland Mooring sums up his band’s new record through the title track, “There has to be a point where we step over the line and don’t live like a mediocre Christian any longer.”
The band’s well-received debut received plenty of accolades, including a Grammy nomination and four Dove Award nominations. There’s no sign of the dreaded “sophomore slump” on “Opposite Way.”
While combing through all of the piles of PR material for this release, I came across only one scriptural reference for a song, and that was Revelation 3:3 for “Thief into the Night.” However, what I do like about this band is that they are not afraid to hide His light behind generic lyrics.
Mooring says, “A major theme on our new album is to encourage our generation to live passionately for the Lord, even when it means going in the ‘opposite way’ of the world. It’s OK to be different. It’s OK to ‘live out loud’ for God.”
Sonically, the progressive rockers cite Travis, Coldplay, David Gray and U2 among its musical influences. I really liked the up-tempo numbers “Don’t Go Away” and the current single “Count Me In.”
There are several solid praise numbers as well. “May Our Praise” should be a single. While there’s nothing profound in the lyrics, it does contain a lot of Biblical truth, including living a live of praise. That truly is living in an “opposite way.”
- Rob S.