In a previous review of another LDS inspirational album, I praised the production quality and vocals and the content of a few of the songs, but I felt that too much about the arrangements was predictable and that many of the songs weren't memorable or definable enough. Joy Gardner's new CD, There is Hope, thankfully delivers where that other album fell a bit short for me.

The opening title track is typical LDS inspirational fare in its production style, but has a memorable hook phrase and is carried off well with nice dynamics and Joy's luscious voice, which in this song is reminscent of Kate Bush's softer vocal side.

"How Could I Ask for More?" has pleasing acoustic guitar and cello leading into the guitar- backed verse. Once again, Joy's voice is elegant and inviting.

"When You Look in the Mirror" picks things up a little rythmically, which is nice, as I was starting to expect an album of all ballads. Actually, in a sense this song is still a ballad, just with a little bit of bounciness to it, somewhat reminiscent of mellower Sting. Here Joy adds a touch of country twang, but thankfully it's very subtle and pleasantly fits the arrangement.

"A Woman of Faith" has an interesting rythmic flow to the melody that reminds me of some musical theatre phrasing, or of one of the melodic songs from "Les Miz". Actually, the lift part of the song is kind of a ripoff of "Bring Him Home", but it's certainly a great song to emulate, if you must, and the dynamics are powerfully conveyed in the production.

A pretty acoustic guitar duo introduces "Window to His Love", a beautiful ballad written by Julie de Azavedo. The lyrics were perhaps inspired by a walk through the aisles of Home Depot, but they are nonetheless inspired.

The aching beauty of Joy's voice in "Father, Don't Give Up on Me" gave my goose bumps chills, and the gently churning percussion rhythm is a nice backdrop for the song, giving it a light but distinctive flow.

"Pieces of Heaven" has a "new agey" kind of arrangement, and would work nice as background music for a guided meditation program. But the vocal melody is vivid and lyrical and builds nicely to the chorus.

There are other pleasures on the remaining tracks, which include covers of Michael McLean and Kenneth Cope standards and a joyously hopeful song of mourning called "Believe in Him", which Joy wrote with Denny and McKay Crockett (Davey was unavailable... Sorry, I just couldn't help it!). The album was produced and arranged by Greg Hansen, who deserves much credit for his terrific work here, and is distributed by Sounds of Zion.

I like that this album is full of inspirational ballads but is interesting enough in its melodies and arrangements to keep it from being sleep-inducing. I like that it is mellow, but not "melodramatic". I like that several of the tracks are further evidence that the acoustic guitar is a perfectly beautiful choice as accompaniment for spiritual songs. I like that Joy's voice is as warm and welcome as the sun after a hard rain. I like that there is indeed hope in the gospel, and how well Joy can represent that through the beauty of her music.

****1/2 stars (four-and-a-half stars out of five)
Eric Endres

1. There Is Hope
2. How Could I Ask For More?
3. When You Look In The Mirror
4. A Woman of Faith
5. Window To His Love
6. Father, Don't Give Up On Me
7. Pieces of Heaven
8. Lullaby For Me
9. Believe In Him
10. Greater Love
11. He Who Knows Each Sparrow
12. What Can I Do For You Today?
13. Where Can I Turn For Peace?