Sound of Melodies
Artist: Leeland
Label: Essential
Time: 12 Tracks

As the music industry continues to grow larger and larger, the standards by which we determine what is excellent music also continues to rise higher and higher, making it seem, almost that no one can top the latest, greatest hit. It is easy to review a band that has had a previously released album because you can look back and say how the band has changed since their last album, but when a new band releases their debut album, you have nothing to compare them to – except the industry standards of greatness.

The newest band on the Reunion label, Leeland, releases their first album, Sound of Melodies, on August 15, 2006, which will hit the stores with a BANG! Already hitting the airwaves of radio stations with a bang is the band's first single, the title track off the debut album, "Sound of Melodies." This song is not only the first single to be released, but is also the first track you hear when you place the CD into the boom box. Leaving an impression in the mind of everyone who hears it, this song brings together the best of contemporary music and praise songs. Not only does the opening song do this, but the entire album. Songs that all vary in topic, but have one focalized point- to praise God for who He is and what He has done.

Now the hard part – How to rate this CD? Do you base it on industry standards and either state it is good or it is bad, or do you classify it as its own standard?

For this CD the best way to rate is it to say this, it is fantastic!

Maybe Michael W. Smith says it best, " Leeland is the best thing I have heard in a long, long time. I can't stop singing the songs in my head. Great melodies, Great band. Great voice."

Timothy Gerst
Review from Phantom Tollbooth