Move

Third Day's soul-stirring 11th studio album, Move, offers 12 tracks that are reminiscent of the acclaimed band's Time record.

Produced by Paul Moak (Mat Kearney, Matt Maher) and recorded in the band’s new, Atlanta-based, state-of-the-art studio "The Quarry" and Moak’s well known "The Smoakstack," the 12-track offering has been described by early listeners as "visceral and gritty; reminiscent of the acclaimed band’s Time record."

Mac Powell, the band’s charismatic lead vocalist, explains, "The country is going through hard times, and there are doubts and insecurity. The message [of ‘Lift Up Your Face’] is our message of encouragement – not just to listeners though—to us as well. It’s a message we all need to hear and I think that really sums up a lot of what we were going for with this record."

Musically, MOVE delivers songs that are rootsy, soulful and riveting, taking full advantage of Third Day’s longstanding rock influence. Yet the sound retains an edgy authenticity that’s incredibly timely as heard in the raw and addictive, "Make Your Move." Additional highlight tracks include the worshipful "Children of God," "Gone," "Surrender" and "Follow Me There." Each song is lyrically inspiring with hints at Third Day’s southern roots from the slide guitar and hand claps, reminiscent of Tom Petty, to the layers of smokey vocals.

Of the new album, Powell adds, "There are a lot of songs that [come from] a believer talking to people outside of the walls of the church and then there are several songs that find people outside of the walls of the church looking in through the windows of the church, trying to see what’s going on and asking those questions like ‘do you really believe this? I need you to prove this to me because I want it to be true, but I just don’t believe it right now.’"

It’s hard not to believe once a listener is enveloped within the driving drums and exuberant delivery of gospel-tinged "Follow Me There" or challenged by the guitar-picking, hand-clapping, in-your-face classic, "Surrender."

Still, songs like the worshipful "Children of God" and "Trust in Jesus," recall the band’s deep connections to offerings birthed from the heart of the church. And on tracks like "Sound of Your Voice," it’s as if Third Day’s members momentarily forget the audience is even listening and are simply singing praise from the deepest shadows of their own souls.