LOVE IS ON THE MOVE
Leeland
Essential Records
Release Date: August 25, 2009

Leeland - Love Is On The Move

Track Listing

1. The Door
2. Follow You (with special guest Brandon Heath)
3. Via Dolorosa
4. Pure Bride
5. Carry Me On Your Back
6. New Creation
7. Lift Your Eyes Up
8. Weak Man
9. Love Is On the Move
10. Learn to Love
11. Holy Spirit Have Your Way
12. My Jesus

Score: 90%/A-

I personally find listening to Leeland joyful and refreshing.  The band’s third album, Love Is On The Move returns again with all of the elements that have made the band so popular in the CCM industry and so appealing to its fans.  Leeland’s latest work presents new and powerful hooks, rich melodies and dramatic arrangements.  Once more, Leeland’s songs capture moments of honesty expressed by a humble group of believers who are lifting their hearts and instruments toward heaven.  Frontman, Leeland Mooring’s lyrics resonate again with all of the sensitivity and conviction we’ve come to expect.

Today, Leeland Mooring is considered by many to be one of the best young lyricists in the business.  His talent is evident on the new album and supported by his body of work which includes hits like “Yes You Have” from the band’s debut album, Sound of Melodies; songs he’s written for artists Michael W. Smith and Paramore; and contributions made on the projects, CompassionArt and Your Name.  Explaining his inspiration as a songwriter, the Wikipedia.org website quotes Leeland Mooring as stating: “A lot of my songs are birthed out of prayer. The ones that we’ve received the best response from have been the ones God just kind of dropped in my lap while I was spending time in His presence. That’s my main inspiration.”  The lyrics found on the new album are not only intrinsically pure, but also biblically based.

New tracks including “Weak Man” reflect Jesus’ call for service in Matthew 20:26 when it exclaims: “Jesus give me Your heart. Let there be a death in me.  I’m making room for all that You are. Give me Your heart. My Creator….Oh, my Creator.  May I be low, low, low so You’re made higher. I’ll be weak for You are strong…Weak for you are strong in the weak man.” Another song, “Pure Bride” (based on Revelation 21:2) reminds us, “He’s coming for a pure bride. See Him riding in the sky.  See the fire inside His eyes.  Through the darkness His light will shine.  In His glory, He’s lifted high. He’s coming for a pure bride.” These songs and others offer timely reminders for Christians regarding the quality and focus of their faith.

In the end, Leeland’s third album continues where the critically acclaimed Sound of Melodies left off.  Love Is On The Move injects this band back into prominence by way of its original and worshipful sound.  The album successfully elicits a range of emotion from listeners, from introspection to exhilaration.  Current fans will appreciate Love Is On The Move, and those not yet familiar with Leeland will now have a new opportunity to discover them.

Closing Thoughts:
Leeland does it again!  Love Is On The Move offers refreshing music, light sounding and humble in spirit.  Its prayerful lyrics are riveting, reverent and adept.  The new album captures the imagination with brilliant new hooks and sweet sounding, original melodies.  Love Is On The Move should appeal to both old and prospective fans alike.  Next to Jeremy Riddle’s The Now And Not Yet and Aaron Shust’s Take Over, Leeland’s Love Is On The Move is among my top 5 favorite albums so far this year.

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