Customer Reviews

House Of Hope

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the second effort by Toni Childs, by far one of my favorite artists. I fell in love with her first album and still am moved by it. This one is much more complex musically and instrumentally. The work with David Rhodes became apparent with repeated listening and it reminds me musically of Peter Gabriel's work, specifically his So album (this should be no surprise as Peter Gabriel shows up on her third album). This album is also significantly darker than Union. This is not necessarily a bad thing but it is not quite as joyous as her first effort. You often have to work to find the hope in it.

She deals with themes such as incest and spousal abuse in powerful, powerful songs. Perhaps some of the songs on this album will provide strength for people who are in similar situations.

The album is filled with pain and emotion yet it also contains the desire to make the world a better place in spite of all the horror. She tackles the horror head on but does not take us off the deep end -- laced in the music are moments of inspiration and hope. Perhaps it is merely a reflection of reality.

Ms. Childs' lyrics are intricate and brilliant, poetic yet plain. And the music, oh the music! Remarkable. It is much more technical musically but this adds depth to her lyrics. All in all, a great album.

I lost the CD during a couple of moves and I found myself singing "I've got to go now" one day and looked for the CD at a local Mall music store. Of course, no luck there. The sales clerk had no idea who Toni was! Luckily, I found it for a great price on Amazon.

This is a great album to listen to and read the lyrics along with the music. I get the impression that Toni's inspiration for this CD was several years of Time on the Couch and the subsequent recovery after it. She deals with so many emotional issues that she has gone through in her life. It's very cathartic after you listen thru this masterpiece.

I can easily imagine this CD being a score of a very sucessful (and eclectic) Broadway play. Imagine hearing intro to "The Dead are Dancing" and then seeing a set of darkly lit graveyard and lone figure singing that haunting song!

Toni - if you are reading this. Go with this Broadway Idea!

Toni Childs has a voice that sometimes tear your`e soul apart bit for bit, then when you hunger for more she`s gone, but at least you can play here over and over again. There`s a certain rumble jungle atmosphere on these tracks, that really swings. Track 1 I`ve got to go now is a good starter, With it`s clearly U2 inspired soundpicture that`s clearly define a great voluminous vocal that realy hit`s the mark. Yeah she`s got the power. Nuff said. Track 2 Next to you saunter along with it`s more relaxable atmosphere altrough. Greatness shines on this one two. Track 3 House of Hope, is the real winner on the CD. The soundpicture sounds very inspired by Robbie Robertson`s solo stuff. The opening is stunning, and create a very soulfull and creative atomsphere. Every little thing is magic on this one. Pure eargasm. Track 4 Daddy`s song has a light heavy metal atmosphere, and Toni`s voice is not realy up there. Powerfull all the same. Track 5 Heavens Gate is a great ballad, full of atmosphere . Simple and effective so to speak. Track 6 The Dead are Dancing is the tale from the crypt. This is a bonechilling ballad, that has a gotic musical feel allover. Track 7 I want to walk With you is a lighthearted pop song, which swings your`e soul in many happy directions. Track 8 Where`s the light is a light heavy metal composition, with the right guitar riffs spread in the right directions. Track 9 Put this fire out is a slow song that doesn`t make it. A certain lack of atmosphere makes this a minor letdown. Track 10 Three Days, sound`s like she tries to create a Peter Gabriel soundpicture, but it fell flat, sorry to say. Anyway Toni Childs "has it "most of the time".

A haunting in depth hint at Child's wonderful talent - this is a CD that will stay with you forever; one of those if you ever lost you will look for 10 years later - a rare gem

I love going through all my tapes and cds. It is amazing how much my musical tastes has evolved in the past decade. Nine - ten years ago, I was a big fan of Toni Childs' music. Now Tori Amos and Diva Destruction has taken over my stereo. It is amazing how much my tastes in music has changed over the years. Still I do like to occasionally reminiscence about my young adult life by throwing in some old music. Toni Childs is one of those artists I like to listen to every now and then. If my memory serves me right, I first came across her when I first heard "I've Got to Go Now" on the radio. At the time, I have never heard anyone sing like the way that Toni did. Her voice is so big and warm. "I've Got to Go Now" is a wonderful blend of gorgeous melodies and melancholy lyrics. In fact, the songs on "House of Hope" are pretty dark. "I've Got to Go Now" is a bittersweet song about a neglected wife who leaves her husband who is gone too much. My two favorite songs on "House of Hope" are "Heaven's Gate" and "The Dead Are Dancing". The acoustic ballads simply gives me chills down my spine, especially "Heaven's Gate". I almost forgot how wonderful "House of Hope" is until I had recently started listening to it. Toni Childs has a magnificent voice who should have received more recognition.

The one word I really always use to describe this CD is dark. If you are looking for an upbeat atmosphere (like a lot of the tracks on "Union") you won't find it here. This is a cd to listen to when you want to LISTEN and feel the emotion of powerful words and music. Not as musically daring or interesting as "Union" but still arresting and almost shocking at times ("Daddy's Song" in particular). Best tracks are "I've Got To Go Now" with it's sweeping guitars; "Where's The Light" with it's dark, brooding percussion; "House of Hope" which adds some much needed relief from all the stress of the powerful lyrics. Some of the tracks I skip over as it can tend to get very depressing listening to this CD all at once. I have owned this CD 10 years and find myself coming back to it every 6 months or so and just listening to certain tracks on it for days at a time, then I put it away and re-discover it again..like an old friend. Toni definately was a unique artist...it is too bad she no longer records. Although this CD is no "Union" it definately ranks up there as one of my all time favorites.

Toni's follow-up to the acclaimed debut album Union, lacks that one's immediate appeal but her fans will enjoy it well enough., especially tracks like I've Got To Go Now and Next To You. It would seem, however, that some over-enthusiastic soul-searching on Toni's part imbues her voice with an agonised tone which ocassionally comes across as insincere. Don't misunderstand - it's still a good album, but with her talent, Ms Childs can do better. What is lacking from House Of Hope is the balance provided by the laid-back, reggae feel of many of the first album's best tracks.

If it was possible to wear a groove into a CD, the spot where "Put this fire out" would be visibly worn into the CD. All of Toni's CD's are "the best" at the right moment, it just depends on what "space" you are in during that moment. I look forward to anything she conceives.

Childs' sophomore release after her critically acclaimed "Union", proves enigmatic and disturbing. "House of Hope" marks the beginning of her crusade into the wounded soul and deep despair side of life; pre- "The Woman's Boat" chaos. Scattered with pop-accessibility and Childs' trademark Afro-reggae infusion, tunes: "Heaven's Gate" and "Daddy's Song" prove almost unbearable in their stark honesty and heavy content. Like the allure and disgust of an open casket, this album offers several opportunities to either pay your respects or walk away unsettled. A beautiful and daring album, although painful and obsure. The album ends with "Three Days": "I feel freedom here at last", a triumphant tune offering a moment to exhale in a galaxy of sadness.

It's hard to believe it's been 10 year's since Toni Childs released "House Of Hope". That I'm writting this ten years after the fact is endorsement enough that this is one of the GREATEST works around. "House of Hope" is Toni Childs at her best. Her voice sounds like a channelled wise ghost--back to confess the pain,sorrow and ultimate triumph of the human spirit. There is not a bad moment on this CD--absolutely every song is beautiful and haunting. Sadly, Toni Childs has not released anything since the also amazing "Womans Boat" in 1994. It has been long rumored that a CD (tentatively titled "Bare") has been completed but lacks a record company to release it. Until the new record comes out, take the opportunity and enjoy the timelessness of her older work.