On My Favorite Album Ever

I may have been jumping the gun a bit in my first music post. I skipped to writing about an album by my second favorite band while bypassing my favorite artist, and album, of all time: Building 429 and Space in Between Us.

Building 429 is a Christian soft rock band named after Ephesians 4:29: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Fittingly, the main (and virtually only) attraction of Building 429 is their lyrics. Musically, most of their work is pretty uninteresting and I wouldn't give them a second look if they weren't a Christian band. B429 doesn't care to mix words or write poetry; their lyrics are simple, to-the-point, and amazingly honest explorations of our relationship with God. In addition, their vocalist Jason Roy is probably the best vocalist I've ever heard, delivering these lyrics beautifully and with heartfelt sincerity. Building 429 doesn't (usually) play rousing worship songs or feel-good tunes about how wonderful God is (not about just that, anyway), which is why you probably haven't heard them on KTIS or from a worship band. This is music that deals with the reality of the Christian life, the hard and the easy.

Because of the power of the words in these songs, pretty much the entire album is made of awesome to the point where it's hard to tell which songs stand out.

1. Glory Defined is a testament to the hope God has given us that goes beyond this life and carries us through it.
2. Above It All is a song for anyone going through a rough spot in life that's helped me to trust in God when I've needed Him most.
3. The Space In Between Us displays Psalm 63-like longing to know God more.
4. One Time Too Many is an encouragement to be open with God and give up sins that we cling to, causing us to stumble.
5. Back To Me is in a similar vein to Above It All, a stirring song of hope for when you feel like God has hidden His face from you. (Hint: Not for long He hasn't!)
6. Shadow of Angels is a powerful tale of seeking and finding ourselves in Christ. It starts off with calming ocean sounds and acoustic guitars, but ends up one of the more intense songs on the album.
7. I'm not even sure how to describe No One Else Knows. I will just say that it was instrumental in getting me through more than one episode of depression in the past and is probably the most honest, powerful, Spirit-filled song I've ever heard. Besides the lyrics, which speak directly to those who have lost sight of God in the midst of despair, Jason Roy displays his talent for accenting words with the careful use of falsetto.
8. Never Look Away is about trusting God, told via the example of Peter walking with Jesus on the water.
9. After so many songs that sound like powerful confessions to God, Angeline takes a step back and tells a story of the dangers of fame and show business. Quite a beautiful and enjoyable song; musically, it's one of the better ones by B429.
10. Show Me Love is another honest song about struggling to live the Christian life, and our dependence on God's patience and grace.
11. The title of You Are Loved sums it up; it speaks about God's love for His children.
12. All of Building 429's songs have at least as much emotional impact as the average power ballad, so a power ballad by Building 429 has to be amazing, right? Correct. The Spirit Lives On is a truly hope-giving song about the hope for life in God after tragedy and death, specifically the events of September 11 and the crucifixion.

If you're a Christian, I cannot recommend Space In Between Us enough. This album has given me tremendous hope through the storms of life and I know it can do the same for you. If you're not a Christian, I still recommend checking it out for some truly heartfelt music (and to see what you're missing). Their three other albums are also excellent; Rise is more guitar-focused, Iris to Iris is more ethereal and keyboard-focused, and their new self-titled album just has everything and is consistently amazing.