Customer Reviews

Sound Of Melodies

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What I dislike about most ccm isn't usually the singer or the band, but the production and arranging, which seems to me to emulate the worst of pop. As Steve Scott says, it sounds like real music fed through something. That something is a "sweetener" which, as its name implies, adds fills of fake strings, horns and other blather and follderol.

That said, I heard this playing in a store and bought it on the strength of that listen. And I'm not disappointed. One reason is that the producers, including Steve Hindalong of the Choir, have kept the production almost stark and nearly naked. These songs are so strong they could stand unplugged and live, if they could be played that way. I'm not sure they could anymore than could the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper. Add in the singer's Gaelic lilt, reminiscent of Mike Scott of the Waterboys, and how can you not listen?

This is next generation praise and takes its cue from modern rock. Rather than verse/ chorus there are various chorus-like parts making all the songs seem like medleys. Instead of simple, repeating melodies, songs crescendo to resounding rock. Instead of repeating simple lines sung over and over, there's a deft building on simple themes. It's no objection to say much of the lyrics are Scripture; that's the nature of praise music. But Leeland lifts it to a new level, free of adornment, creating a sort of karaoke praise that dares listeners to sing along.

This is what Jeremy Camp began and The Rocket Summer addicted listeners to--something so far ahead of the same old clone on the alt rock stations as to render modern rock last Tuesday. Like Jars of Clay's "Love Song for a Savior" and Rita Springer's rendition of "Breathe", years from now "Yes You Have" and "Tears of the Saints" will still be distinctive above the musical miasma. They could save radio and jolt any number of moribund churches and even renew the stale folk mass, for they stand, as once St. Francis did, stripped of another era's suffocating finery, nearly naked.

This is a solid debut by a very promising band.

The songs have a great soft rock sound with solid Christian lyrics. As some Christian bands are criticized for writing ambiguous lyrics, this is not one of them. These are not songs that may be confused with love songs to a person. They use the name of Jesus and other words to make clear to whom they are singing about and praising.

They do this with a sound that is very appealing. If you are still leary about trying out a new band, I would recommend that you at least listen to 'Sound of Melodies', 'Reaching', and 'Tears of the Saints'. The others are just about as good also. I recommend this album.

The hype on this band has been astronimical, so when I got the CD I was a little suspicious of what I'd find. Could they be as good as everyone else said? Well, they're definitely good. "Reaching" is a great song and deserves a ton of radio air play. "Beautiful Lord" makes an incredible worship song. Most all the tracks are good, though those two in particular really stand out. Hindalong did a great job in producing, and Leeland's vocals show promise for a long future (he's a teenager and rocks harder than most adults). I look forward to what they come up with next.

I wish I could communicate like some of the great reviewers here on Amazon so please pardon my sloppy use of the English language.

This band makes me feel things inside that I haven't felt in a long time.

Incredible melodies, inspiring lyrics, tight band arrangements and the kind of vocals that make you sing along in praise and worship.(No one believes me but I sing very well when I'm alone in the car and the music is cranked all the way up) Well.... maybe not very well.... not even well... but at least singing with these guys makes me feel like I'm a part of their worship and...... the Focus is Christ.

Not a bad song in the lot.

In a recycled music world it's great to hear something fresh and inspired. Truly, you've got to hear these guys. Lyrics show a depth and richness that could only come from a close friendship with God. Musically, this disk will never come out of your rotation. It is incredible. Impossible to pick a favorite cut.

Perhaps my outlook is clouded by the rave reviews I read and heard before buying. But to me, it didn't live up. Don't get me wrong, it's still very good, but not "blow me away" good.

Would I recommend it? Yes.
Is it the best CCM album in a long time? No.

I listen to many, many Christian artists and these kids blow most everyone away. Their passion comes through in their music. Pick this up, you'll be listening to it for a long, long time to come. They're music is simply beautiful.

Every few years a band comes along that has the potential to completely change the face of Christian music and im not exaggerating when i say Leeland is that band.
Not since the emergence of Delirious? have we seen a band that puts it all out there like a heart on a sleeve. Leeland changes that however, with lyrics i wouldn't be able to comprehend writing at such a young age, vocals that drop your jaw and the musical prowess of Coldplay, Leeland has it ALL.
Listen to this CD had be hooked but then do yourself a favor and do whatever it takes to experience Leeland play live...it will absolutely blow you away. Leeland are one of those bands that you could say sound EVEN better live than on CD.

An earlier review stated a lot of CCM is filtered through too much sweetener, and I have to agree. To add, a lot of Christian pop/rock suffers from what I call "One Good Verse and Refrain Syndrome" - one strong verse, a clever refrain - then said refrain is repeated over and over.. and over. Not here. Every song, every one, sounds like it was nurtured and crafted to be the very best. I bought the album on the strength of Tears of the Saints, and though it's great, all of the songs are (the final cut, table of the lord I believe its called, is strong and emotional but could have had - maybe - one - less - verse repetition?....) Some struck me more than others, of course, but all throughout was strong song-writing, great music, and a strong message in each. The songs vary from rocker to ballads, shades of good Newsboys and Audio Adrenaline (both groups I love but which are hit or miss song to song on any given album). Wonderful, wonderful collection of tunes.

I came across the Sound of Melodies in iTunes and after listening to some samples of the tracks, I decided to purchase the whole album. I love the melodies (reminds me of Keane and the likes) and the lyrics are spot on, full of conviction. `Tears from The Saints' literally made me cry. `Yes, You Have' sounds catchy. `Beautiful Lord' has a very beautiful lyric. This album's highly recommended! Can't wait for their second one.