Tracklisting:
1. Made For You
2. Right Beside You
3. One Foot
4. Listen To The Sound
5. War Zone
6. Where I Belong
7. You Save Me
8. Walls Are Coming Down
9. Love Has Been Spoken
10. Awaken Us...

For a first time listener in the world of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) there are names you will learn quickly as they are held in high esteem by the radio stations. Names like Steven Curtis Chapman, Christ Tomlin, Sidewalk Profits and Building 429. The band led by the distinct vocals of Jason Roy, who smashed through to the scene with their hit “Glory Defined” in 2006 and is now with the release of their fifth studio album Listen To the Sound they continue to solidify their place in Christian Radio.

Musically this album remains within the boundaries the band has set for themselves, meaning they stay very close to the edgy side of the CCM market. The guitars are heavy, the vocals fit with what the rifts, melodies work but there is nothing extremely extraordinary about the music on this album. The opener “Made For You” works as a good opener, building momentum and carrying it through to the end of the song, however it is highly forgettable, as are a majority of the songs on this album. “Right Beside You” stands out only because of the appearance of guest artist Dawn Michelle from the Christian Metal Band Fireflight, her vocal talent blends well with Roy’s and give the listener something else to listen to.

Lyrically the band didn’t miss a beat despite the fact the album could have been much better, However if you are looking for something that will uplift and encourage you then you have come to the right place. The title tracks reaches out to a friend in need of comfort, “You Save Me” discusses our freedom in Christ as believers, completely celebratory and “War Zone” deals with our fight with our flesh, encouraging us to keep fighting it. Despite the encouraging nature of these messages this album has very little depth for the listener to chew on.

“One Foot” might be the one standout track on this album giving the listener a sense of urgency, which you really get from the bridge, unlike any other song on this album. Here Roy sings “Get me open hands, strength to stand, grace to fall, cause all I hold is you in this life, give me open eyes, the strength to walk, whether I may rise or fall, all I want is you“. This goes into the songs major theme of really seeking after God and following him in all that we do. It would have been nice to see more of this on the rest of the album.

Sadly B429′s fifth studio album seems to let down those who it is lifting up. However die-hard listeners will no doubt like this album for years to come. Here’s to hoping that their next project is just as encouraging, with a lot more depth.