Love Peace and Happiness
Out of Eden
Gotee Records

CCM trailblazers Lisa and Danielle Kimmey and Andrea Kimmey-Baca of the group Out of Eden return with their fifth release "Love Peace and Happiness."

The majority of the simple but straight forward lyrics center on God's love for us and the joy that His love brings to our life. The title track tells us that God's love is as "deep as the ocean" and also that God's love "has my devotion," casting no doubt as to where the three sisters are coming from. "What's Your Secret" calls to mind 1 Peter 3:15 as it revolves around an encounter at the grocery store where the vocalist is asked, "why are you so happy on a rainy day?" Clouds will enter our lives but "The Lord is watching you."

"Coulda Been Me" strikes this reviewer as a plea to those living on the street that if one "surrenders control, things will work out." "Shoulda Listened" and "Its You" have a similar theme. The former says we shouldn't be "so busy doing my own thing," that we need to listen to our parents and pastors. Good advice for the group's core audience. "Its You" has more of a prodigal theme, "I can't believe I carried on this way. I thought that I could make it one my own, but now its time for me to come to back home. One thing I've been missing is You." So true for so many of us.

The production is excellent and features a few musical surprises. From the funky bass of the title track, the "Hey Hey" chorus of "Soldiers," the rapid-fire, almost frenetic beat of "Make Way," to the soulful R&B of "What's Your Secret" and "Its You," current fans of the group should be satisfied. The group shows some intriguing growth with an interesting mix of harp and soul in "I Know." "Make Way" also includes a very appropriate musical nod to Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg's "Hall of the Mountain King" from the symphony "Peer Gynt" (!). The final track, "Drama Free," has a really cool late-1970's era Stevie Wonder keyboard groove.