Alternative Christian band Building 429 was reliable in Christian music for almost 20 years. A product of the mid-2000s, their sonic blend of light rock and contemporary melodies made them an instantly likable presence for many listeners. They never seemed to break into the A-list, but they always had a consistent stream of hits through the years. It's been 20 years since the release of their national debut, The Space In Between Us. We look back at some of our favorite songs from them through the years. Let us know your top cuts from these Christian music veterans.
The Space In Between Us
Building 429's debut's most notable hit was their signature rock anthem, "Glory Defined." The song was a bold and rocking introduction to the boys from North Carolina. Lead singer Jason Roy had a voice that played well in both rock and contemporary markets, and this helped the band pull off both ends of their sound. The song ranked number one on multiple Christian charts and helped ensure the band's long and fruitful run. Other hits from their debut album included "Above It All, "The Space in Between Us," and "No One Else Knows."
Rise
The band's sophomore album embraced a heavier sound. It produced hits like "Searching For A Savior," "Fearless," and "I Believe," which continued the band's momentum in both contemporary and Christian rock circles. The band continued to ride this wave of hits into headlining and international tours. Although no song flew relatively as high as "Glory Defined" from their debut, they continued to be a regular presence on the Christian charts.
Iris To Iris
The band's third album and final with Word Records found them in more explorative territory. Songs like the energetic "Singing Over Me" were released as a single and did well. However, the band found themselves in a similar situation to many artists at this point in their careers: doing well enough to keep things going but not being given enough support to break out commercially.
Self-Titled
The band regrouped with a new label, INO Records. They released a self-titled album and looked toward a new beginning. The lead single, "End of Me," was popular and fit well in their sonic identity thus far, while "Always" checked off the mark for a soaring ballad. Luckily for the band's longevity, it would be their next album that would help fuel the coming years of their run as a band.
Listen To The Sound
Listen to the Sound found the band revitalized both creatively and commercially. The title track was a big hit on Christian radio. "Made For You" was made to be played loudly in open live shows. And "Right Beside You" benefitted from the guest vocals of Fireflight's lead vocalist Dawn Michele to become a notable hit. But the Christian radio "Where I Belong" finally earned the band a massive commercial hit. As of this writing, it's their only song to be certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIA). It was one of the most-played Christian songs of the year. Fueled by the success of these hits, the band was propelled into a bold and successful new era.
We Won't Be Shaken
The band capitalized well on the momentum from their previous album. They produced several additional hits, including the rousing title track, which would play well for Christian radio audiences. Also notable is the duet with pop singer Blanca, "Wrecking Ball (Press On)." The band experimented with some new sounds while remaining true to who they were. As one of the albums I reviewed for NRT back in the day, it's hard to believe this one is over a decade old.
Unashamed
Unashamed found the band sticking to their strengths. "Ocean Deep" is a soaring ballad, while "Impossible" rocked the band's foot-tapping pop/rock sound to produce a pair of solid hits. The title track was truly unashamed in its anthemic goodness, while "Be With Us Now (Emmanuel)" offered more of the tender balladry the band had become known for. Overall, it was a solid collection of songs often overlooked in the band's discography.
Live The Journey
A final full-length found the band confident in their identity. The lead single, "You Can," was a rousing anthem declaring trust in the power of Christ and proving that the band still knew how to deliver a memorable hit. The title track feels appropriate for a band at this point in their career, a mission statement for the kind of lives and legacy they wanted to leave. While this is the final full-length EP from the band, there was still more music to be had in the coming years.
Other Goodies
Since the band has gone on what seems to be a hiatus, with lead singer Jason Roy venturing more into solo work, it doesn't seem like another LP from the band is on the horizon. But the last few years of their run found the band very busy with a slew of shorter EPs and singles. They were pretty prolific, offering several Christmas singles, many of them originals that could be classics in the years to come, such as "Breath of God" and "Glory." The band experienced success with singles such as "Worry" and "Not Finished Yet." Most notably, they notched another chart-topping radio smash hit with the catchy "Fear No More." These songs are a fine epilogue to a great career, at least for now. While we're excited to hear what Jason Roy has to offer soon, we can't help but hope that there is more from Building 429 on the horizon.
J.J. Francesco is a longtime contributor to the NRT Staff. He's published the novel 'Because of Austin' and regularly seeks new ways to engage faith, life, and community. His new novel, 'When Miracles Can Dream,' is out NOW!
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