Is this a trick question?… I mean, what else can I listen to?  What are my options?  To look at it philosophically, if I sharpee out the title of this CD, then throw it in the woods, is it still a lame title for an album?  …probably.  Maybe I’m thinking too hard 😉

Welcome to the 6th release from BUILDING 429.  Despite the intellectually-unchallenging album title, the single, Listen To The Sound is awesome!  It’s pop/rock at it’s finest, complete with a unique & catchy melody, silky-smooth male falsetto (you’re welcome ladies) and don’t forget the well placed “Amazing Grace” cameo in the bridge.  iPod playlist-worthy? You betchya.

The record kicks off with an incredible modern rock/worship tune called Made For You.  (Warning: Keep your hands 10 & 2, this is gonna be hard for the worship generation… but you’re no good to the Kingdom in a ditch off I-80!) We will all hear this song in contemporary worship services soon, so hang tight.  Dawn, from the band Fireflight, makes a special appearance on Right Beside You.  She has an incredible voice in real life. But for some reason, they auto-tuned that poor girl to death!  That’s a club I’m sure she did NOT want to join. (Say hi to Britney for me!)  One Foot : I can relate to trying to find one’s purpose in life, and not knowing the next step you should take.  It’s the lead singer, Jason Roy’s personal favorite track on the record.  But the chorus reminds me of lyrics that a purple dinosaur might sing to a circle of snot-nosed kids.  I had to skip it every time… Sorry Ja-Dawg :/

On a redeeming note, The Goosebumps-Award goes to Where I Belong, with the lyrics “All I know is I’m not home yet, this is not where I belong. Take this world and give me Jesus.”  Simplistic, powerful, beautiful… and honestly, it’s one of those songs that stops you right in your tracks, and at least for a moment, aligns your jacked-up life back into His perfect perspective. I needed to hear it.  Unless your name starts with a “J” and ends with “esus,” you’ll probably need to hear it too.

Overall:

Pleasantly surprised with the record. Not much from B-429 has stayed with me since their Glory Defined days.  But there are a handful of tracks on this record I’d be proud to share with my friends.  The album lacks much in lyrical creativity.  They should definitely hang out with guys like Jon Foreman… or Matt Theisen perhaps? Let some of their conceptual genius rub off on them.  The lead singer’s voice still rocks! It’s their best record yet.  Listen…

Rating: B+