Recorded live at Ocean Way Studio in Nashville Tennessee, the Ocean Way Sessions EP finds husband and wife Jodi King and Chris Rademaker--collectively known as Love & The Outcome--performing a handful songs from their debut as well as a new one called "Home." Though it is not perfect, this short and sweet six song EP does an excellent job displaying the duo's musical talent and passion for Jesus.
The first two tracks, "King of My Heart" and "Heart Like You," are decent stripped down acoustic numbers with delicate keys and a floor tom. What is most impressive about these two songs is that all the instruments are played by just the two of them; Jodi, the lead vocalist, hit the floor tom with a drum stick in one hand, played keys with the other, and sang, while Chris played the guitar and sang backing vocals. From here on out, the album utilizes additional instrumentalists, giving the rest of the EP a full band vibe that sadly sounds too similar to their original versions. Granted, these next three songs are arguably the best cuts from their debut, but the redundancy does hurt the value of the EP. "The Story You're Building" highlights the couple's songwriting as they share about tragedies they've experienced while pointing to God as their source of comfort. The hurting lyrics create a vulnerable framework for verses like "You know all of my days / My tomorrows are covered in grace/You're in the middle of it all" to have a deep impact in the listener's heart. "He Is With Us" and "What A Promise" pick the energy up with catchy choruses and encouraging messages of Jesus' promise to always be with us. The new recording, "Home," is a tender ballad that closes the album out on a relatively weak note.
Love & The Outcome may not be particularly innovative but this new band has the potential to be forerunners for the CCM genre if they decide to take more musical and lyrical risks. The Ocean Way Sessions EP would be more attractive if they included additional new songs or did something to make the three aforementioned songs more distinct. But as it is, the EP still provides plenty to appreciate and enjoy.
- Review date: 2/9/15, written by Christopher Smith of Jesusfreakhideout.com
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