Out of Eden was technically the first real live act I've ever seen. They opened up for a little group called Audio Adrenaline in the Fall of 1994 and this little trio of young teenagers had raised the roof with music off their debut project Lovin' The Day. Although OOE has never had a style that I could call my type of music, there has always been something about the Kimmey sisters and their music that is easy to listen to and quite addictive. This Is Your Life, their latest release and nearly eight years since their bright beginning, shows the listener that the girls still got it.

Musically, it's obvious the sisters have grown. Their vocals and harmonies are as tight as ever and their music is just as catchy and alive. Sadly, Out of Eden's music is most comparable to secular acts Destiny's Child, also a group of girls with similar urban pop tunes that have catapulted them to stardom.

This is Your Life, the sisters' fourth studio release on Gotee Records opens with the horn intro of "Different Now," an upbeat (like most of their songs) urban track with an infectious chorus that sets the album up nicely. "Day Like Today" is another album highlight that lyrically serves as a reminder that even at the bleakest times things will turn out okay. It's so catchy, you'll most likely find yourself singing amidst a bad day, "On a day like today, all has gone wrong and life seems crazy/ gotta hold on, smile on my face/ cause I know the sun's gonna shine my way..." Label co-owner and dc Talk original Toby McKeehan makes a guest vocal appearance on this track as well.

"Paradise" rivals the J.Lo and other assortment of urban artists in the mainstream wasting their breath on trite lyrics about relationships. Out of Eden instead sings, "If I had a dollar for every heart that's broken/ for every word of love unspoken/... If I had a penny for all the wrong we're doing/... Maybe I could buy you paradise/ Just to see a some hope in your eyes..." "Meditate" is a thoughtful worshipful song about thinking on the love of our heavenly Father (and just try to sit still to the beat). "Now I Sing" is an OOE original praise Gospel-flavored urban song. "Showpiece" is more of an edgy track that sets the record straight as the girls take a stand against our society's force-fed worth of physical beauty, "I'd rather not display my physical, I'd rather use my mind/ You act like all I am to be is just a sexy, sexy thing/ just a showpiece for all to see like a Bentley or a diamond ring..." Danielle, the younger of the Kimmey's, offers her first attempt at writing on the tender love ballad to our Savior, "Praise You." "Rolling Stone" and the title track are more upbeat highlights while "I am the One" is another ballad before the album closes with the instrumental "Reprise."

This Is Your Life is a another step in the right direction for the Out of Eden girls. Life is easily their best work yet and they have proven that they still have a lot to offer musically and lyrically. Don't miss this one.

- Review date: 5/25/02, written by John DiBiase