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.

 

 

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