2008 Woodie Awards
India.Arie Bares Her "Acoustic Soul"
Jennifer Jones
Issue date: 4/5/02 Section: Features
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In a world where unoriginal teen groups sell themselves to make money, the angry lyrics of "Nu-Metal" fly off the shelves like nobody's business and the radio inundates our ears with, well, booty songs, injustice, heartache and pain, an enlightened voice that outshines all of these other "musicians" has emerged. In India.Arie's Acoustic Soul, there is a new spirit of everlasting love and joy.
Native to Atlanta, Georgia, this songstress has filled more than an hour's worth of void in the music world and many people's hearts. Quick to profess her spirituality, Arie's lyrics border on gospel material. But as the tracks progress, undertones of blues, R&B, soul and even a little bit of hip-hop make up the score of Acoustic Soul.
Throughout her music, Arie reminds us that she is just a normal person, not any better than the rest of us just because she has a glamorous job in the music world. Her first single from this album, "Video," mentions that she is "not the average girl from our video." She writes all of her own songs and she can actually play an instrument, the guitar. Arie also possesses something else that a lot of the rising and current stars in music do not: talent. She is certainly not just another preIn Mr. Hardcastle's mindtty face in a skimpy outfit.
"Video," as was previously mentioned, is her first single and is a celebration of one's self, regardless of clothes, riches and other outward physical trappings. Carrying a message of self-worth and pride, women everywhere can relate to what India.Arie is saying.
Another of my favorite tracks on the album that is soon to be released as a single is "Ready for Love." Its lyrical subject matter is exactly what the title implies- wanting to be in love and to be loved. The music quietly complementing the vocals, her voice belting out her true emotions, it simply touches your heart. But above that, the best part of the song is when the music backs off, and Arie sings with very little accompaniment, emphasizing her voice and the powerful lyrics. The omnipresent guitar and piano softly play in the background and gradually build up, creating a dramatic tone over the song.
Native to Atlanta, Georgia, this songstress has filled more than an hour's worth of void in the music world and many people's hearts. Quick to profess her spirituality, Arie's lyrics border on gospel material. But as the tracks progress, undertones of blues, R&B, soul and even a little bit of hip-hop make up the score of Acoustic Soul.
Throughout her music, Arie reminds us that she is just a normal person, not any better than the rest of us just because she has a glamorous job in the music world. Her first single from this album, "Video," mentions that she is "not the average girl from our video." She writes all of her own songs and she can actually play an instrument, the guitar. Arie also possesses something else that a lot of the rising and current stars in music do not: talent. She is certainly not just another preIn Mr. Hardcastle's mindtty face in a skimpy outfit.
"Video," as was previously mentioned, is her first single and is a celebration of one's self, regardless of clothes, riches and other outward physical trappings. Carrying a message of self-worth and pride, women everywhere can relate to what India.Arie is saying.
Another of my favorite tracks on the album that is soon to be released as a single is "Ready for Love." Its lyrical subject matter is exactly what the title implies- wanting to be in love and to be loved. The music quietly complementing the vocals, her voice belting out her true emotions, it simply touches your heart. But above that, the best part of the song is when the music backs off, and Arie sings with very little accompaniment, emphasizing her voice and the powerful lyrics. The omnipresent guitar and piano softly play in the background and gradually build up, creating a dramatic tone over the song.
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