Listen to the Sound

Listen to the Sound is the seventh studio album by Christian rock band Building 429, and is their fifth album with a major label. It was released May 10, 2011 through Provident Music Group.

Listen to the Sound
Studio album by Building 429
Released	May 10, 2011
Recorded	2011
Genre	Christian Rock
Length	37:10
Label	Provident
Producer	Jason Ingram, Rusty Varenkamp
Building 429 chronology
Building 429 (2008) Listen to the Sound (2011) We Won't Be Shaken (2013)

Composition

The song "Listen to the Sound" was written according to the lead singer Jason Roy because "the idea behind the title track for the record is looking at the noisy world we live in and thinking about how much noise we're adding to it...my barometer is myself and I talk so much that I rarely take time to hear the sound of God's voice! We don't find the answers to the big questions by talking, crying or even praying, but in taking the time to be still and listen for the voice of God speaking hope and grace."[1] Roy said the song entitled "'Where I Belong' is one song the whole thought process of the record was built on, basically saying that nothing on earth can ever satisfy us or make us feel whole because it's not our home...it's funny because a lot of the songs tie into that same theme, like 'Made For You,' which is about fighting until we get home [to heaven]. We're made for His glory and His glory alone and it's basically my 'bring it on song' [against earthly temptation] that feels like a rocket going to the moon."[1]

Reception

Critical

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[2]
Alt Rock Live	6/10[3]
CCM Magazine	[4]
Christian Broadcasting Network	[5]
Cross Rhythms	[6]
Jesus Freak Hideout	[7]
Louder Than the Music	[8]
New Release Tuesday	[9]
The Phantom Tollbooth	[10]

AllMusic's Jared Johnson said the album "feels like an arrival for Christian rockers Building 429, ironically the result of spending more time on the road and less in the studio. Coming almost three years since their self-titled magnum opus, the band's fifth album finds them more confident than ever in proclaiming their witness and writing memorable mainstream rock. Where the band worked hard to carve out its identity on previous releases, Jason Roy and company sound more than ever like they're having fun this time around."[2] At Cross Rhythms, Neil Fix said that "I don't really know which tracks to draw potential purchasers to because there isn't a bad song on here."[6] Fix went on to say "I love it, and will definitely be recommending it to pretty much everyone I know."[6] Jay Rae of the Christian Broadcasting Network said "the entire album is a completed work. Listeners without fail will engage with Building 429’s tracks while enjoying profound lyrical transparency wrapped in the sounds of musical excellence."[5]

Louder Than the Music's Jono Davies wrote that "I do like it, I have to admit I don't love it, but I do think it's a very good album. After numerous plays I do continue to find some great moments within these strong songs. This album is a step forward for Building 429".[8] Furthermore, Davies noted that the album "has a more family feel, in the same way that Coldplay are a band that the whole family will enjoy."[8] Davies said the "Standout Tracks" are the following: "You Save Me", "Walls Are Coming Down" and "One Foot".[8] At New Release Tuesday, Kevin Davis said the album "is the band’s crowning achievement in my opinion. If you’re looking for some songs that you’ll love to sing along with at high volumes and in praise to our Savior, then you’ll totally want to 'listen to the sound' of Building 429. I recently listened to all 54 songs by B429 and these 10 songs all rank in my top 15 songs ever recorded by this amazing band, along with "Glory Defined," "The Space In Between Us," "You Carried Me," "End Of Me" and "Always." No filler tracks, just one solid song after another."[9] Scott Mertens of The Phantom Tollbooth wrote "the combination of finding their 'sway', the signature vocals of Jason Roy, and well written songs gives Building 429 another winner in Listen To The Sound. In this offering, Building 429 has again found their true cadence."[10] Also, Mertens noted that "with Listen To The Sound the energy was returned, in force!"[10]

Alt Rock Live's Jonathan Faulkner wrote about the album that it "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."[3] Roger Gelwicks of Jesus Freak Hideout said if this "is the measuring stick of Building 429's musicianship, the bar remains terribly low with their best probably behind them."[7] Gelwicks continued on saying that this "is yet another unoriginal rendition of defining glory."[7] At CCM Magazine, Grace S. Aspinwall said "all the tracks are melodic, strong and some of the group's very best work. Hints of sounds akin to Newsboys and Third Day will make this not a groundbreaking album, but a versatile one, not to mention an undeniable good time."[4]

Commercial

Former Major League Baseball outfielder David Murphy used "Where I Belong" as his walk-up music.

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Made for You"	Jason Roy, Jason Ingram	4:37
2.	"Right Beside You" (featuring Dawn Michele of Fireflight)	Roy	3:33
3.	"One Foot"	Roy, Tony Wood, Rob Hawkins	3:31
4.	"Listen to the Sound"	Roy, Rob Hawkins	3:41
5.	"War Zone"	Caleb Grimm, Jason Walker	3:39
6.	"Where I Belong"	Roy, Ingram	3:22
7.	"You Save Me"	Roy, Hawkins	3:21
8.	"Walls Are Coming Down"	Jason Roy, Jason Ingram	3:49
9.	"Love Has Been Spoken"	Roy, Hawkins	3:42
10.	"Awaken Us"	Roy, Scott Krippayne	4:00
Total length:			37:10

Personnel

• Michael Anderson – drums, group member
• Matthew Arcaini – assistant, digital editing
• Dana Austin – vocals
• Blaine Barcus – A&R, vocals
• Michelle Box – A&R, producer
• Cooper Boyle – vocals
• Aaron Branch – bass guitar, group member
• Benjamin Brinton – vocals
• Chris Carmichael – string arrangements, strings
• Richard Davis – cello
• John Denosky – digital editing
• DJ Lipscomb – vocals
• Ametria Dock – background vocals
• Charles Van Dyke – vocals
• Jason Eskridge – background vocals
• Jesse Garcia – group member, keyboards, background vocals
• AJ Gilmer – vocals
• Ashley Goins – vocals
• Caleb Grimm – songwriter
• Jennifer Harper – vocals
• Scottie Harper – vocals
• Rob Hawkins – songwriter, engineer, producer, programming
• Jason Ingram – songwriter, producer, programming
• David Jordan – vocals
• Scott Krippayne – songwriter
• Beth Lee – art direction
• Amber Lehman – wardrobe
• Tony McBroom – vocals
• Dawn Michele – vocals
• Chelsi Miller – vocals
• Heather Bro Moroschak – vocals
• Natasha Williams – background vocals
• Tim Parker – art direction, design
• Ben Phillips – engineer
• Camaryn Rogers – vocals
• Christy Rowland – vocals
• Jason Roy – songwriter, group member, keyboards, vocals
• Anne Nicole Royster – vocals
• Allen Salmon – mixing
• Amanda Shannon – vocals
• Lee Steffen – photography
• Mark Stephens – vocals
• AJ Strout – vocals
• Thomas Toner – editing
• Crystal Varenkamp – production assistant
• Gioia Varenkamp – vocals
• Rusty Varenkamp – editing, engineer, producer, programming
• Jason Walker – songwriter
• Kristin Watson – vocals
• Kristopher Whipple – grooming
• Jim Wilcox – vocals
• Luellyn Wilcox – vocals
• Jay Wilkinson – vocals
• Nina Williams – vocals
• Tracey Williams – vocals
• Tony Wood – songwriter
• Jay Yarbrough – vocals
• Dustin York – vocals

Charts

Album

Chart (2011)	Peak position
US Billboard 200	115[11]
US Billboard Christian Albums	2[12]
US Billboard Rock Albums	31[13]

Singles

Year	Single	Peak chart positions
		US Christian
2011	"Listen to the Sound"	4[14]
2012	"Where I Belong"	1[14]

References

1. Argyrakis, Andy (June 1, 2011). "Listen Up: Hearing the Sound in the Noise". CCM Magazine. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
2. Johnson, Jared (May 10, 2011). "Listen to the Sound review". AllMusic. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
3. Faulkner, Jonathan (June 9, 2011). "Listen to the Sound review". Alt Rock Live. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
4. Aspinwall, Grace S. (May 1, 2011). "Listen to the Sound review". CCM Magazine. Archived from the original on August 7, 2014. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
5. Rae, Jae (May 10, 2011). "Listen to the Sound review". Christian Broadcasting Network. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
6. Fix, Neil (June 20, 2011). "Listen to the Sound review". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
7. Gelwicks, Roger (May 8, 2011). "Listen to the Sound review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
8. Davies, Jono (April 27, 2011). "Listen to the Sound review". Louder Than the Music. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
9. Davis, Kevin (May 4, 2011). "Listen to the Sound review". New Release Tuesday. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
10. Mertens, Scott (July 21, 2011). "Listen to the Sound review". The Phantom Tollbooth. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
11. Billboard (May 28, 2011). "Billboard 200 : Week of May 28, 2011". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
12. Billboard. "Christian Albums: Weeks of May 28, 2011". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
13. Billboard (May 28, 2011). "Rock Albums: Week of May 28, 2011". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
14. Billboard (July 2, 2011). "Building 429 : Christian Songs chart". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2012.