Lead Us Back: Songs of Worship

Lead Us Back: Songs of Worship
Studio album by Third Day
Released	March 3, 2015 (2015-03-03)
Genre	Contemporary Christian music, [1] Christian rock [2] [3]
Length	38:43
Label	Essential
Producer	JT Daly Jonny MacIntosh Third Day
Third Day chronology
Miracle (2012) Lead Us Back: Songs of Worship (2015) Revival (2017)

Lead Us Back: Songs of Worship is the twelfth studio album by Third Day. Essential Records released the project on March 3, 2015. The album was released in two versions: a single-CD version with a white cover, and a deluxe edition, two-CD set with a black cover.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
365 Days of Inspiring Media	[4]
CCM Magazine	[3]
Christian Music Review	3.9/5 [5]
Christian Review Magazine	[6]
Cross Rhythms	[2]
Jesus Freak Hideout	[7] [8] [9] [10]
Worship Leader	[11]

Grace S. Aspinwall, designating the album four stars out of five from CCM Magazine , declares, "Lead Us Back: Songs of Worship brings them full-circle, with a masterful collection of new worship favorites." ^[3] Signaling in a seven out of ten review by Cross Rhythms, Sam Hailes recognizes, "'Lead Us Back' is a solid effort, and within the worship genre it stands out for the right reasons." ^[2] Alex Caldwell, indicating in a four and a half star review out of five from Jesus Freak Hideout, realizes, "Lead Us Back proves to be a great worship piece and a mid-career highpoint in a veteran band's catalog." ^[7] Specifying in a four star review for Jesus Freak Hideout, Bert Gangl responds, "such an absolutely unique and beautiful work." ^[8] Jeremy Armstrong, mentioning in a four star review by Worship Leader, reports, "Even his country releases bleed with his guttural, gravelly voice. But the straightforward guitar rock of this worship release is also surrounded with some piano drive, beautiful orchestrations, and ambient pop that help lift the songs to anthemic intensity." ^[11] Awarding the album four and a half stars from 365 Days of Inspiring Media, Jonathan Andre writes, "such a powerful and prolific album". ^[4] Daniel Edgeman, rating the album a 3.9 out of five at Christian Music Review, says, "Overall I am satisfied with Lead Us Back, I was just hoping for a little more – a more pepped up sound... The production and message are strong on this record, so I would give it a solid 3.9." ^[5] Writing a review for Christian Review Magazine, Christian St. John rating the album four stars states, "Lead Us Back is a toned down album, so don't expect the same musical gusto you get on a Third Day album." ^[6] DeWayne Hamby, reviewing the album for Charisma , writes, "the new album showcases original worship songs ready for personal and corporate praise accompanied by choirs and guest vocalists." ^[12]

Accolades

This album was No. 9, on the Worship Leader's Top 20 Albums of 2015 list. ^[13]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Tai Anderson, David Carr, Mark Lee, Mac Powell except where noted.

Standard release ^{[1] [14]}

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Spirit"	Anderson, Carr, JT Daly, Lee, Powell	3:15
2.	"Soul on Fire" (featuring All Sons & Daughters)	Anderson, Brenton Brown, Carr, Lee, Matt Maher, Powell	3:18
3.	"Your Words" (featuring Harvest)		3:59
4.	"Our Deliverer"	Anderson, Carr, Daly, Lee, Powell	3:08
5.	"He Is Alive"		3:32
6.	"In Jesus' Name" (featuring Michael W. Smith, Natalie Grant, Michael Tait)		4:25
7.	"Lead Us Back"		1:21
8.	"Maker"		3:24
9.	"Victorious"		3:40
10.	"I Know You Can"		3:05
11.	"Father of Lights"		3:23
12.	"The One I Love"		2:21
Total length:			38:43

Deluxe edition

No.	Title	Length
13.	"Praise the Invisible"	3:44
14.	"Arise"	4:52
15.	"Your Love Is Like a River" (Live)	4:12
16.	"Mountain of God" (Live)	4:06
17.	"Born Again (Live)" (featuring Karyn Williams)	3:41
18.	"Soul on Fire" (Live)	3:22
19.	"Children of God" (Live)	4:12
20.	"Offering" (Live)	4:16
21.	"Trust In Jesus" (Live)	3:57
22.	"Follow Me There" (Live)	2:51
Total length:		77:56

Personnel

Third Day

• Mac Powell – lead vocals
• Mark Lee – guitars
• Tai Anderson – bass
• David Carr – drums

Additional musicians

• Scotty Wilbanks – keyboards (1–12), acoustic piano (1–12, 15–22), organ (1–12, 15–22), programming (15–22), backing vocals (15–22), arrangements (15–22)
• JT Daly – keyboards (1–12), programming (1–12), percussion (1–12), backing vocals (1–12)
• Jonny MacIntosh – keyboards (1–12, acoustic piano (1–12), programming (1–12, guitars (1–12), mandolin (1–12), backing vocals (1–12)
• Brian Bunn – guitars (15–21)
• Jason Hoard – guitars (22)
• Christian Howes – strings (5)
• Alexander Tseitlin – strings (9)
• Eamon McLoughlin – strings (12)
• All Sons & Daughters – backing vocals (2, 12)
• Harvest Parker – guest vocals (3)
• David Crowder – backing vocals (6)
• Natalie Grant – guest vocals (6)
• Michael W. Smith – guest vocals (6)
• Michael Tait – guest vocals (6)
• Sarah Macintosh – backing vocals (9), gang vocals (1–12)
• Michael Gungor – backing vocals (10, 11)
• Derek Henbest – backing vocals (10)
• Karen Henbest – backing vocals (10)
• Karyn Williams – guest vocals (17)
• Daniel Bashta – gang vocals (1–12)
• Ricky Thade Cole – gang vocals (1–12)
• Melissa Drummond – gang vocals (1–12)
• Harvest Parker – gang vocals (1–12)
• James Shealy – gang vocals (1–12)
• Julia West – gang vocals (1–12)

Production

• Terry Hemmings – executive producer
• Blaine Barcus – A&R
• JT Daly – producer (1–13)
• Jonny MacIntosh – producer (1–13), mixing (7, 12, 13)
• Third Day – producers (14–22)
• Scotty Wilbanks – additional production (15–22), additional tracking (15–22)
• TJ Elias – engineer (1–12)
• Darrell Thorp – engineer (1–12)
• Brent Maloney – gang vocal engineer (1–12)
• Andy Selby – digital editing (1–12)
• Keith Everett Smith – digital editing (13–22)
• Chris Lord-Alge – mixing (1–6, 8–11, 14)
• Sean Moffitt – mixing (15–22)
• Warren David – mix assistant (15–22)
• Tom Coyne – mastering (1–12) at Sterling Sound (New York City, New York)
• Bob Boyd – mastering (13–22) at Ambient Digital (Houston, Texas)
• Kyle Horvath – production assistant (15–22)
• Michelle Box – A&R production
• Beth Lee – art direction, design
• Tim Parker – art direction, design
• Eric Brown – photography
• Traci Scrignoli – wardrobe

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2015) Peak position US Billboard 200 [15] 20 US Christian Albums (Billboard) [16] 1 US Digital Albums (Billboard) [17] 13 US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) [18] 5

Year-end charts Chart (2015) Position US Christian Albums (Billboard) [19] 6 US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) [20] 28 Chart (2016) Position US Christian Albums (Billboard) [21] 15 US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) [22] 57

References

1. Jesus Freak Hideout. "Third Day, "Lead Us Back: Songs of Worship" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
2. Hailes, Sam. "Review: Lead Us Back - Third Day". Cross Rhythms . Retrieved February 8, 2015.
3. Aspinwall, Grace S. "Third Day: Lead Us Back: Songs of Worship". CCM Magazine . Retrieved March 14, 2015.
4. Andre, Jonathan (March 8, 2012). "Third Day – Lead Us Back". 365 Days of Inspiring Media. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
5. Edgeman, Daniel (March 2, 2015). "Third Day 'Lead Us Back'". Christian Music Review. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
6. St. John, Christian (March 3, 2015). "Music Review: "Lead Us Back: Songs of Worship" by Third Day". Christian Review Magazine. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
7. Caldwell, Alex. "Third Day, "Lead Us Back: Songs of Worship" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
8. Gangl, Bert. "Third Day, "Lead Us Back: Songs of Worship" Review: Second Staff Opinion". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
9. Fryberger, Scott. "Third Day, "Lead Us Back: Songs of Worship" Review: JFH Staff's Additional 2 Cents". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
10. Rice, Mark. "Third Day, "Lead Us Back: Songs of Worship" Review: JFH Staff's Additional 2 Cents". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
11. Armstrong, Jeremy. "Lead Us Back: Songs of Worship". Worship Leader. Archived from the original on March 15, 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
12. Hamby, DeWayne (March 1, 2015). Anderson, Troy (ed.). "Music: Lead Us Back - Third Day (Reunion Records)". Charisma . Vol. 40, no. 8. Lake Mary, Florida: Stephen Strang, Joy Strang and Dr. Steve Greene. p. 62. ISSN   0895-156X . Retrieved March 16, 2016.
13. Staff. "2015 Top Albums". Worship Leader (November/December 2015): 58–9. Archived from the original on February 7, 2016. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
14. Amazon.com. "Lead Us Back: Songs of Worship (Deluxe Edition)". Amazon. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
15. "Third Day Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
16. "Third Day Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
17. "Third Day Chart History (Digital Albums)".^{[ dead link ]} Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
18. "Third Day Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
19. "Top Christian Albums – Year-End 2015". Billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
20. "Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2015". Billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
21. "Top Christian Albums – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
22. "Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved May 28, 2021.

External links

• AllMusic