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Building 429
Space In Between Us: Expanded Edition
Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 17 tracks: 67 minutes, 52 seconds
Street Date: August 30, 2005
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Building 429 earned significant attention in the Christian music market when their debut EP
Glory Defined spawned a single that would not only get substantial airplay, but would
help them garner the title as GMA's New Artist Of The Year. Now, in all fairness, it still should
surprise many that this pop/rock band could come away with such an accolade given their competition
of much more unique and original new artists in 2004, almost soley because of a hit single.
And, for whatever the reason, one must ask the question when proposed with the concept of a
re-released album like Space In Between Us: Expanded Edition - is this really necessary?
When five new tracks are tacked onto an already successful album, wouldn't an EP of sorts have been
more appropriate? Space In Between Us: Expanded Edition takes the pop/rock/contemporary
debut from Building 429, tacks on a few unplugged, remixed, and new tracks, and puts the album
back on the shelf. While this technique from the labels of trying to garner more sales for a particular album is sadly
becoming more popular, it's really only a fair treat for those who haven't bought the record already.
As a whole, Building 429's debut, as it was released last year, is a slightly above-average release.
Taking often string-laced pop melodies with tinges of polished rock elements, B429 possesses a southern
rock flavor that is possibly comparable to Third Day, but without the lyrical and musical expertise
the seasoned Atlanta band offers. Granted, B429 is a much younger group of musicians, so there's plenty
of room for growth. Space In Between Us is a decent batch of songs, if not a little too similar
from track to track, but arguably nothing especially new or different.
Space In Between Us: Expanded Edition adds some new material to the already lengthy thirteen-track
release. "All You Ask Of Me (Unplugged)" is the first of the bonus tracks, a nicely stripped-down
acoustic song. The more raw approach to the sound seems to work much better for the band's style of songwriting and showcases
Jason Roy's vocal talents best. "Free," on the other hand, is a more rock-oriented effort that is
robbed of its potentially more aggressive nature by over-production. The alternate version of
"Glory Defined" wipes any edge the original had from it, which seems to work better for the song's melody.
Roy's vocals clearly work best with more mellow fare and "Glory Defined" sounds more appropriately
contemporary here. The original has always seemed undecided whether it wants to be pop/rock or AC, and
this version is more, ironically, defined. The radio remix of "No One Else Knows" is a beautiful piano
ballad that is really only slightly different from the original, but is easily one of the best tracks
on this release. The Expanded Edition closes with the band's passionate rendition of Chris Tomlin's
original worship song "Famous One."
Building 429 shows promise with their debut Space In Between Us, but like most new artists,
also leaves plenty of room for growth. The biggest strike Space In Between Us has going against
it is its over-production from start to finish. Because the band puts a rock edge on their pop/contemporary
sound, its watered down by the production, giving some songs a more generic feel than they deserve.
It's when the band's songs are more raw that their artistry is given a chance to shine. The
Space In Between Us: Expanded Edition is by all means an unnecessary release (as are most - if not
all of the recent and forthcoming expanded rereleases), but is definitely the must-have addition for anyone
who has yet to pick up the album upon falling in love with their hit single. Fans who already own the record
may want to be a little hestitant in buying the record all over again for a mere five additional tracks.
- Review date: 8/28/05, written by John DiBiase
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 Artist Info: Building 429's Discography
Record Label: Word Records
Album length: 17 tracks, 67 minutes and 52 seconds
Street Date: August 30, 2005
Buy It: JfH Music Store
- Glory Defined
- Above It All
- Space In Between Us
- One Time Too Many
- Back to Me
- Shadow of Angels
- No One Else Knows
- Never Look Away
- Angeline
- Show Me Love
- You Are Loved
- Spirit Lives On
- All You Ask Of Me (Unplugged)
- Free
- Glory Defined (Alt Version)
- No One Else Knows (Radio Remix)
- Famous One
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