Amy Grant “House Of Love (Expanded Anniversary Edition)” Album Review

Prime Cuts: Love Has a Hold on Me, Oh How the Years Go By, Lucky One
Overall Grade: 4.5/5
"House Of Love," released in 1994, was Amy Grant's 11th studio album and the follow-up to her 1991 release, "Heart in Motion." With "Heart" selling over 4 million copies and featuring the worldwide smash hit "Baby Baby," Grant must have felt the pressure to match such a success. "House Of Love" does try to capitalize on her previous success in that Grant has decided to keep her producers, Keith Thomas and Michael Omartin. The album, just like its predecessor, also has its share of pop-centric love songs. With its fluffy production and the ear-worm melody, "Lucky One" contains the same success formula as many of the hits on "Heart."
Thirty years later, "House of Love" gets an anniversary release boasting 30 tracks. This embellished version contains the 11 original cuts, b-sides, re-mixes, and alternative mixes of the songs. "Politics of Kissing" first appeared on the UK-pressing of the record and a b-side to the single "House of Love." The song deserves to be a b-side. As messy as the titular, "Politics" is an awkward little piece. The same can be said about the popish "Life's Gonna Change." A b-side to "Say You'll Be Mine," the opening line indicates the song's dismal direction: Just like Tarzan swingin' on a vine/I move out left then come back right.
Long-time fans of Grant have been dying to hear the formerly unreleased Michael Omartin version of "House of Love." It's just fun to hear how the same song sounds in the ear of another producer. Omartin's version has a slightly more hip-hop lilt; it can first be heard in the documentary "Building the House of Love," a video that documented the making of the album. The album also features two of Grant's most mature love songs. The less familiar one is the Keith Thomas and Grant-penned "Love Has a Hold on Me." With a sweepingly gorgeous melody underlying lyrics that speak of love's tenacity, "Love" is a gem. The other is the minor hit "Oh How the Years Go By." Mixing nostalgia and forbearing hope, "Years" bears all the hallmarks of a great love ballad.
Grant also nods to her Christian heritage with a couple of religiously-themed entries. Just as "Hope Set High" is to her "Heart in Motion" album, "The Power" is to this album. "The Power" is a nebulous reference to how God can help us amid our troubles. Then, you have the obligatory "Helping Hand," which can work in religious and secular contexts. Nevertheless, "House Of Love" isn't a Christian album per se; it is a pop record, and for Grant to speak about her faith is admirable. If you want to listen to Grant's faith, her 2002 "Legacy... Hymns and Faith" is a must-hear.
Tags : Amy Grant “House Of Love (Expanded Anniversary Edition)” Album Review Amy Grant Vince Gill "House of Love" Expanded Anniversary Edition
Hot Trends
-
Phil Wickham's Son Graduates from Kindergarten & Receives the "Most Curious About Jesus" Award
-
Wanda Bell Launches LadyBellRadio.com 24/7 Gospel Music Platform
-
BrightStone Hosts Sold-Out Second Annual “A Night Full of Stars” Featuring Lauren Daigle
-
Tasha Layton on Her Suicide Attempt, Singing with Katy Perry & Working on Her Own Music
-
Phil Wickham Celebrates His 15th Wedding Anniversary with "Just Too Good"
-
Melody Noel's Debut Christian EP, "Back To Praise," Arrives May 2
-
Sandee Jo Crocker Offers a Heart-Rendering Interview About How to Find Help in an Abusive Relationship
-
Here Are Lyrics to Brandon Lake's "Daddy's DNA"
-
10 Interesting Facts about Mother's Day
-
Kutless Returns to their Rock Roots with "Midnight"
-
Ben Fuller Teams Up with Carrie Underwood on "If It Was Up To Me"
-
Lysa TerKeurst Remarries Two Years After Divorce
-
Steven Curtis Chapman Celebrates Mother’s Day With “Speed Of Love”
-
John Crist's "Emotional Support" Comedy Special, Out Tonight (2.18), Exclusively On YouTube
-
LEELAND Shares the Story Behind their New Single "You're Not Done"
Most Popular
-
Phil Wickham's Son Graduates from Kindergarten & Receives the "Most Curious About Jesus" Award
-
Wanda Bell Launches LadyBellRadio.com 24/7 Gospel Music Platform
-
BrightStone Hosts Sold-Out Second Annual “A Night Full of Stars” Featuring Lauren Daigle
-
Tasha Layton on Her Suicide Attempt, Singing with Katy Perry & Working on Her Own Music
-
Phil Wickham Celebrates His 15th Wedding Anniversary with "Just Too Good"
-
Melody Noel's Debut Christian EP, "Back To Praise," Arrives May 2
-
Sandee Jo Crocker Offers a Heart-Rendering Interview About How to Find Help in an Abusive Relationship
-
Here Are Lyrics to Brandon Lake's "Daddy's DNA"
-
10 Interesting Facts about Mother's Day
-
Kutless Returns to their Rock Roots with "Midnight"
-
Ben Fuller Teams Up with Carrie Underwood on "If It Was Up To Me"
-
Lysa TerKeurst Remarries Two Years After Divorce
-
Steven Curtis Chapman Celebrates Mother’s Day With “Speed Of Love”
-
John Crist's "Emotional Support" Comedy Special, Out Tonight (2.18), Exclusively On YouTube
-
LEELAND Shares the Story Behind their New Single "You're Not Done"