Rise in Bloomington, MN

The Gospel Music Association's 2005 New Artist of the Year didn't fall completely susceptible to the sophomore slump on
Rise
. The follow-up to their smash debut
Space in Between Us
walks the same line between neo-
grunge
and
adult alternative
as
Lifehouse
,
Jeremy Camp
Kutless
. Though formulaic in its approach, the album shines with earnest lyrics and gimmick-free power riffs. Rather than following in the path of
Switchfoot
by leaving lyrical interpretations to the listener,
Jason Roy
and company rely on messages that are virtually impossible to misinterpret. This makes most songs easy to digest, but it also causes the album to suffer from a lack of momentum, particularly in the middle. Their flirtations with modern
rock
beg for more exploration. The album starts with the promising
anthems
"Searching for a Savior"
"Fearless,"
the latter of which draws easy comparisons to
Default
. After that point, the band settles into a holding pattern of sorts, albeit one that produces a succession of alternative radio hits like
"Home"
"I Belong to You."
The most curious addition is their interpretation of
Blessid Union of Souls
'
"I Believe,"
which takes several listens to realize its place on a
record.
leaves you with the premonition that
Building 429
is only a couple of fist-pumping hits away from greatness. After all,
had the mega-hit ballad
"You and Me,"
but what put them on the map was the toe-tapping pace of
"Hanging by a Moment."
~ Jared Johnson