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Posted February 06, 2008
By Nathan,
Eight arrows going one way, with only one lone arrow heading in an opposite direction; that's the cover of Leelands new album Opposite Way which tells a lot about the album already, but most importantly it tells us that award nominated band is back with a very anticipated album.
First off front man Leeland Moorning's voice is high and young, which is not typical of worship artists, but it is refreshing to hear it. The music on the CD can be classified pretty easily: group one is the upbeat medium rock sound that is found on the songs "count me in" which is very catchy, "don't go away", and maybe "let it out now". The next is the light rock sound which most of the album consists of, and last there are the light songs.
I caught a little bit of déjà vu on the songs "brighter days" and "wake up" because they remind me of Hyper Static Union and their song "sunny days" and Everyday Sunday's song "wake up! wake up!". moving past that the music really doesn't do a whole lot. The title track "opposite ways" is okay, and "brighter days" is a softer song with a solemn mood which is an interesting touch.
The lyrics were a big ear catcher when Leelands songs first hit the radio, as they were not the typical youth effort at worship. "Count me in" is about appreciation to God for what he has done, and "enter the temple" is about yearning for his presence. If you have heard the before mentioned song by Everyday Sunday than you have heard the song "wake up" with more spiritual references.
Themes like praise, love for God, and going against the ways of the world are all in this album. "Falling for you" grasps the concept of being really saved, as opposed to a false convert. Thief in the night" is as one point talking about running away from God, but the chorus has the references of the second coming, which is confusing.
So that's the music; a hand full of soft rock/pop tunes mixed in with light rock worship music. Then there are the lyrics, anything you have not heard before? For going the opposite way of things Leeland sure has not done to well at diversity among lyrics and music of their peers. The appeal in this album is the vocals, and youth of the this worship band, that is the only thing you will find going another way.
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