"Opposite Way" by Leeland
Reviewed by: Josh Meares
www.leelandonline
www.myspace.com/leelandmusic
Note: We focus on reviewing songs, and therefore cannot comment on the appropriateness of the album in its entirety. Please use your best judgment whenever purchasing or listening to music.
The Artist
Leeland is a five-piece Christian rock band from Baytown, Texas. They got started by playing together after youth group in their church. The lead singer is Leeland Mooring. Other band members include Jack Mooring, Jake Holz, Matt Cambell, and Mike Smith.
They released their first album first album, "Sound of Melodies," in 2005; it was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2007 for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album, as well as four Dove Awards. Leeland and Jack also received a couple of Dove nominations in the songwriting category, and Michael W. Smith invited Leeland to co-write his newest album "Stand."
The Album
"Opposite Way" is a solid sophomore album for Leeland. The depth of faith and insight shown by their lyrics is still great. Musically, Leeland continues to develop the sound that has rocketed them to the top ranks of Christian rock 'n roll. Leeland Mooring says, "A major theme on our new album is to encourage our generation to live passionately for the Lord, even when it means going the 'opposite way' of the world."
The Song
"Opposite Way" is more of a story than a song. It is a story that most of us can relate to. It is the story of feeling trapped and powerless where you are. It is the story of feeling out of place and out of step with the rest of the crowd.
Lyric:
"living in the same town
for all these years
doing the same old things
hanging with the same crowd
and it's starting to get crippling
you never felt in place
and you tell yourself it's all okay
but something's different today
you want to run the opposite way"
Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever felt trapped, like you couldn't get away? Or maybe you've felt like you don't really fit in? Well, the second half of "Opposite Way" tells the story of another man who didn't fit in.
Lyric:
"the father sent his son down
the light of man
the cross he bore was crippling
rejected in his own town
they couldn't see the son shining
he knelt in the garden and prayed
Father, let this cup pass from me
it's not your will for me to stay
your will for me is the opposite way"
That's right, Jesus didn't really fit in, either. The people of his hometown tried to stone Him. His disciples deserted Him, and His countrymen crucified him. Everything seemed to be against Him, "but through the cross, he conquered the grave." That is the story of redemption. Jesus Christ gave His life in obedience to the will of God, our Father. But why?
Lyric: "oh, through the cross he conquered the grave
oh, he ran the opposite way
and through the cross he conquered the grave
so you could run the opposite way"
The story of mankind is one of rebellion against God. The whole of humanity was running AWAY from God. Jesus ran toward God, and we killed Him for it. But He chose death on the cross so that you and I could be reconciled to God, so that we could run toward our Father in heaven instead of away from Him.
That is the gospel message in a nutshell. People who follow Christ are running the wrong way on a one-way street, running toward God while the rest of humanity runs away. And like our Savior, Jesus, we are going to get trampled at times. Is pursuing God worth it to you?
Questions
- Have you ever felt alone in your Christian walk?
- Do you have relationships with other Christians that help you run the opposite way?
- Have you ever been trampled by others because of your Christian lifestyle?
- Is it hard to run against the crowd?
- Are there times where you have gone with the crowd when you knew it was wrong? Were there any consequences?
- What do you think of Leeland's music? Do you like their style?
