traceyd's Full Review: Acoustic Soul by India.Arie
This is the first review for me in a long time so please enjoy. I have had my head stuck in ebay and have finally come up for air.;)
Here Goes...
The first time I heard India Arie was on a popular R&B station here in Philly. The song playing was "Video". This song is played more often on the radio than any other on her album. I waited to hear them announce the artist and quickly jotted down her name and album title. The album was due to be released that week and I wanted to be sure to be the first to get it.
The thing that caught my ear about India Arie was her soulful style and the fact that she is actually singing words that make sense (not just oh baby, oh baby over and over again). Since purchasing this CD, and listening to it from beginning to end, I have not been disappointed.
India Arie was raised in Atlanta and started playing the guitar when she was 13. Her involvement in the urban R&B scene in Atlanta led to the formation of an artist's collective called Groovement and an independent label, Earthshare. A compilation CD featuring Arie's first songs was through Earthshare. She finally signed with Motown records on the promise that she would have full artistic control over her music and lyrics.
Her album "Acoustic Soul" is loaded with churchie organ, acoustic guitar and wonderful beats. This is a really smooth, relaxing album. Arie's thick, sandy voice works together with her exceptional lyrics like rice and gravy. This album has so much going for it, textured songs and impressively mature lyrics, considering that this is her first album and that she has only been writing songs for five years.
The 16 tracks on this album are very well put together. It took Arie nearly two years to complete this album and it shows. She has brought classic soul and modern hip-hop together perfectly. My favorite song is "Ready for Love". The song is great when you are with your special loved one or even great to have playing at a wedding for slow music. The guitar and cello playing in the background as her lyrics and wonderful voice belts out that finally she is Ready for Love, is simply heart touching. Other favorites are "Video" and "Brown Skin" for their earthy beats fast and on the slow side.
"Strength, courage & wisdom" is an up beat song expressing what has rooted Arie throughout her life. I could go on and on about all the songs but I just mentioned a few for length of this review's sake. I really do enjoy each and every song. I would not skip one song on this album. Song number 16 "Wonderful", is a bonus track tribute to Stevie Wonder. It sure is wonderful too.(No pun intended)Hehehe.
This new artist and album is definitely worthy of a chance. I just hope that she will continue on through the years with many more great songs and such. This CD I will play and play for a long time to come.
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