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My, these kids sure grow up fast.  Was it really ten years ago that the sisters Kimmey burst onto the inspirational hip-hop scene with their landmark Lovin' the Day album?   Then fresh-faced teenagers, now still fresh faced but grown into young adulthood, the sisterly threesome that is Out of Eden is back with its fifth album Love, Peace, and Happiness.

For this effort, Out of Eden mainly stays true to its time-tested formula of upbeat R & B tunes thumping phat bass lines and smooth slo jam ballads.   It attempts to raise the bar slightly by adding a heavier, more modern sound.  On the rapid-fire staccato fest “Make Way,”  the crowd “hey-ho's” and the girls claim, “We represent for the G-O-D.”  The heavy groove continues on the funky, hip-hop infused tune “Soldiers.”  The results are mixed at best, as the songs come across as a little forced, a little canned.

Happily, that is really the only point of weakness on the entire record.  The high points are many, starting with the infectious title track “Love, Peace, and Happiness.”   This tune kick starts the album with Out of Eden’s powerful vocals and a flavorful B-3 organ adding texture to the pulsing bass line.

The slower songs—of which there are many—are the strength of Love, Peace, and Happiness.  The hauntingly sublime “I Know” is a delicately layered showcasing of  strings courtesy of one of the most beautifully understated harp backdrops I have heard in a while.  “Shoulda Listened” comes complete with a wailing guitar opening and an all-too-common message of regretting why we didn’t do the things that we only know better about now.

The unchanged common denominator through the musical career of Out of Eden is its penchant for great vocals.  Although never a big fan myself of the overly sensual and sometimes overly-dramatized sound of R & B, I will give major props to all three of the sisters.  Any one of them could achieve monster success as solo artists.  That they have stuck together for as long as they have is a true testament of family loyalty.  Evidently, Sister Sledge has nothing on these women.

Love, Peace, and Happiness is another solid, fun effort from Out of Eden.  As the sisters age, they are obviously getting more serious about their music, but seek to retain the youth market that helped carry them to their earlier successes.  They will indeed continue to appeal to the kids, and possibly bring in a few adults as well.  Their attempts at a more hip-hop sound are to be commended.  Though not completely there yet in their attempts to diversify, one cannot blame them for trying.

This album is highly recommended, especially for fans of inspirational R&B.

Noel Lloyd   12/3/2003