India.Arie Albums (3)
'Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics'
Release Date 1/1/2008
Tracks 16
Label Universal Republic
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
India.Arie cited creative pressures as one factor in the gap between Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship, her last album for Motown, and Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics, her debut for Universal Republic. Motown possibly was not content enough to yield to the instincts of an artist with three consecutive Top Ten albums and a pair of Grammy awards (to go with 14 additional nominations). Testimony: Vol. 2 is, if anything, merely a moderate progression from Testimony: Vol. 1, not sounding anything like a severe turn from Arie's past. However, the variety of guest collaborators naturally signals and fosters her most eclectic, hardest-to-pigeonhole set yet; in addition to Musiq (Soulchild) and MC Lyte, reggae artist Gramps Morgan, Turkish star Sezen Aksu, and African vocalist Dobet Gnahore (present on a cover of Sade's "Pearls") are featured. Regardless of the non-standard inspirations and unexpected guests, Arie could perform every one of these songs live with just her guitar and not risk shortchanging her audience. Given the new wrinkles, it's not startling that her outlook here has a wider scope, her viewpoint wiser and more outward looking than before, exemplified most through "Ghetto" -- which seems to take cues from War's "The World Is a Ghetto," building off the notion of people all around the planet facing the same plight -- and the slow, bluesy stomp of the firmly U.S.-centric "Better Way" (featuring Keb' Mo' on guitar). The tone of the relationship songs is more upbeat, and even occasionally lighthearted, relative to those of Testimony: Vol. 1, adding a pleasant contrast to the more serious material. If her former label could accuse her of anything, it's that she did not deliver a big single (she does not have a single Top 40 hit), and that's something that won't likely change anytime soon. Her fanbase, big enough to grant Arie gold sales, will gladly take a fourth steady and honest album over a big pop hit. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
'Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship'
Release Date 1/1/2006
Tracks 16
Label Motown
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
India.Arie's third album would've sounded much different if it had been recorded and released shortly after 2002's Voyage to India. It would've either been made just before or immediately after a major breakup, one that informs much of Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship. This isn't a bitter breakup album; instead, it's largely a breakup album that instead involves forgiveness, closure, and -- of course -- the kind of soul searching that Arie's fans have come to expect. Arie's relationship was apparently very serious, as demonstrated in "These Eyes," where she demands respect and wonders what her and his children would've been like. Though songs like "Good Mourning" deal with the immediate aftermath ("Good morning silence, good morning to myself/Good morning to the pain in the center of my chest"), they also seem to revel in it as just another part of being alive ("Good morning acceptance, good morning inner strength/I'm loving every moment, even the inner strain"). The album is a major production. Many of its songs involve well over a dozen musicians, some of which -- Rachelle Ferrell, Keb' Mo', Victor Wooten, Rascal Flatts, Acoustic Soul accomplice Mark Batson -- are bound to make some listeners freak. It's clear that Arie has been listening to a lot of country music; while these songs are completely hers (with the exception of Don Henley's "Heart of the Matter," a song that easily fits into the scheme of the album), it wouldn't be surprising to hear a handful of them covered by contemporary country artists. Since a significant portion of the album is centered around heartbreak and moving on, some of Arie's fans might not ever connect fully connect with it, but it will certainly be of great assistance to any of her fans who find themselves coping with something similar. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
As one of the most promising neo-soul artists yet to emerge in the past few years, India.Arie casts her lot with the best artists of her label's storied history, playing deeply introspective songs laced with glistening acoustic guitar, churchy organ, and smooth, supple beats. When she name-checks those artists no longer with us that she claims as influences (Ma Rainey, Miles Davis, Karen Carpenter, Charley Patton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Donny Hathaway, etc.) in three separate interludes, you have no doubt she is looking back as well as forward, even going so far as to invoke Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come." But Acoustic Soul is at its best when the arrangements are deliberately modern. And despite the uniqueness of being a guitar-based R&B album, it is Arie's thick, sandy voice that shares star billing with her exceptional lyrics. Betraying youthful vulnerability while at the same time projecting strength, confidence, and uncanny insight for a 25-year-old singer/songwriter, Arie wraps herself effortlessly around the deep, funky sensuality of "Brown Skin," and stands tall in defiance of pop-fashion expectations on the irresistibly catchy "Video." The uplifting "Faith, Courage, Wisdom" rides along on a euphoric chorus, and the plainly autobiographical "Back to the Middle" recounts an emotional and spiritual coming of age. Without the many concrete references to the great R&B music of the past, Acoustic Soul would be a purely modern gem, but as Arie is determined to pay her debts up front, it's much more, and that is admirable. ~ John Duffy, All Music Guide
