Acoustic Soul by India.Arie

Pros: Lyrics that actually have something to say. Overall, great CD!
Cons: Does not get enough radio play.

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...

Pros: everything
Cons: cons? what are these cons you speak of?

Before I start, I just want to update you on what's been going on in my boring little life. I just got all my finals done (woo-hoo!) today and finished my freshman year with nothing more than a dull thud. I didn't have a chance to write this or anything...

Pros: Refreshing, Original, Unique
Cons: Intro, Interlude, Outro and Bonus Track

With the Grammy’s on the loom and with India.Arie having the possibility to win 7 of the coveted gold statues, I thought now would be an appropriate time to take a look at her debut album Acoustic Soul. 2001 was a big year for R&B...

Pros: original and thought provoking, soulful and bluesy
Cons: gets bogged down in hip hop flavor on the second half

I dedicate this review to my supasoulsista, cletta1201.

When an album receives seven Grammy nominations, people will usually stand up and take notice. When a debut album from an R&B/soul songstress receives seven Grammy...

Pros: Authentic soul at its very best.
Cons: None

Once in great while, the moon a-lines with the planets, the air around Los Angeles is free from ozone, and President Bush can complete a sentence without stumbling over a word, and a fresh face is introduced to R&B scene that floors me. Such was the...

Pros: Some excellent songwriting and production; I like India’s voice
Cons: To some people she may seem a little preachy

The Main Idea: The 1st time I saw India.Arie’s video, I was captivated by the song and lyrics. Although I’m a guy, I loved the catchy melody & the great lyrics & found that India was a nice alternative to the bootylicious girls of the music biz. ...

Pros: 'Video', top notch vocals, tribute to veterans is respectable
Cons: Corny lyrics, generally mediocre production, poor lyrical structure, no quite a classic album

I watched the 2002 grammies with disgust as India Arie walked away with nothing and yet was made to perform after loosing. I blamed the 'overrated' Alicia Keys for making India's glory so shortlived. Listening to Keys album which is by no means ...

Pros: Her lyrics, her voice, her personality, her gratitude
Cons: Ummm...she...oh forget it, it's all great :)

No, you’re not dreaming, I really am writing about someone other than Mariah this time. I recently got this CD and I couldn’t help myself, I HAD to write this review. Rarely do CDs get me this motivated, but wow. Most likely very few of you have heard of...

Pros: Great lyricist. Real Musician. Beautiful voice
Cons: Album flow is not great from song to song.

In a world where non-original teen groups excel and angry lyrics sell comes an enlightened voice that some could say outshines the brilliance of today’s legions of R&B songstresses. Radio floods our ears with booty songs, injustice, heartache, and pain...

Pros: Raw talent both vocally and lyrically.
Cons: None!

The past year has seen a large influx of new r&b, hip-hop, and soul acts, all of whom claim to have an original and distinct sound that will allow them to establish themselves as long term artists in the music industry. Very few are going to attain...

Pros: It's about life-Not just about her boyfriend and break-ups.
Cons: The songs don't always reel you in right away.

I bought this CD in February 2002 along with John Mayer's No Such Thing. I was obsessed with John Mayer and so I got bored with India's no so quickly catchy CD. But with further listens in the car, in the Gap, and yesterday in my room I have...

Pros: This is more beautiful and creative than anything I can remember. It is utterly moving.
Cons: None...really.

Watching the video and listening to the song "Video" did anything but inspire me. In fact I was so turned off that people continue to perpetuate that earth mama attitude by condemning the way others carry themselves. But after buying the cd I can...

Pros: wonderful sounds, unique vocals, great mixing, touching messages
Cons: too bad there isn't any more music available yet by india.arie

It may seem odd that a sound clip from CNN is what caught my interest in this artist. But then again, the fact that a ten second clip would drive me to the store to buy this CD is strong evidence of the music quality.

Rich textures combined...

Pros: Good first try from an original artist.
Cons: Some of the concept in this album is a bit muddied.

If you catch Prince's ear, then you must be good. That's exactly what happened - Prince had only good to say on his webpage about India Aire, and it's easy to see why. Acoustic Soul, her startling debut, is chalk full of all sorts of good stuff, but...

Pros: India Arie puts the soul back into R&B.
Cons: Nothing is really original.

Let's begin this review with a list of what makes India Aria different from her peers in the R&B industry today.

1. She writes all her own songs. Every one.
2. She can play an instrument. The guitar actually, and she's very good at it....