Leeland’s debut album, Sound of Melodies, is truly a revolutionary creation. With his undeniably amazing talent for song writing, eighteen year-old lead singer, Leeland Mooring, has written an album with lyrics like no other.
The title track, Sound of Melodies, opens the album with an exhilarating combination of enticing vocal and background sounds, as well as addictive melodies. The song has already infiltrated radio stations around the country, and it’s no wonder; with such a fantastic sound, and lyrics like “Can you hear the sound of melodies/Oh, the sound of melodies/Rising up to You/Rising up to You, God/The sound of melodies,” how can it not be a hit?
Reaching is the next song, and is equally great, complete with a meaningful desire for God. The song exclaims, “We’re breaking off our chains to run to You/Would You fill our hearts/Oh, fill our songs.”
An acoustic opening starts off Yes You Have, a classic worship song filled with celebratory lines like “With Your love You set me free”, “Your hand will rescue me”, and “This is all for You/You’re the King of the world”.
With its somewhat simplistic sound and passionate lyrics, Tears of the Saints is undoubtedly a highlight of the album. Leeland’s unique voice is intoxicating, drawing the listener into the worship-filled tone of the song almost instantaneously. This beautiful piano driven song is accompanied with lyrics that represent a desperate cry for the lost to be saved. The chorus strongly states, “There are tears from the saints/For the lost and unsaved/We’re crying for them come back home/And all Your children will stretch out their hands/And pick up the crippled man/Father, we will lead them home.”
Can’t Stop and Hey sport a slightly more pop-esque sound, and both celebrate the love we have for God. The melodies are fun and the lyrics state “I can’t stop falling with love with You” in Can’t Stop, and “Hey! You’re the one/That I’ve been looking for” in the latter.
Smack in between those two is Lift Your Eyes, which I find to be another highlight of the album. The lyrics are seriously reassuring and catchy. Complemented by pleasant guitar bits, the standout lyrics affirm that “You can search your soul and find no light/Until you look in the Savior’s eyes/And then you finally realize/The saving sacrifice is love divine.”
The album closes with a string of mellow and worshipful songs, each acknowledging the amazingness of the Lord. They not only serve as a celebration of the love we’ve been shown, but also as a cry of thanks for the many times we’ve been “healed”, and the many things He’s provided. The last song, Carried to the Table vividly accounts, “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”.
Overall, the album is exceptional. The passion of the band is clearly displayed in each and every one of the songs, and it’s truly a feeling of love for God that’s contagious. With such awe-inspiring messages and an unparalleled sound, I highly recommend this album!
Article by Ariel Body, Photographer / General Reviewer
