India.Arie: "Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship"

If it's possible for an artist who sold a over two million copies of her debut album to be underrated, then India.Arie definitely is. Despite her first release, 2001's Acoustic Soul going double platinum, to many, India lacks the superstar status of an Alicia Keys or Mary J. Blige. Her sophomore album may not change that perception, but with it's lush melodies, extremely personal and heartfelt lyrics and pearls of wisdom, it definitely proves that the quality of India's first album wasn't a fluke and that she's among the most talented R&B/Soul artists of this generation.

Unbridled Emotion

It's very clear in listening to the first handful of songs on India.Arie's sophomore LP, Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship, that India had just been through a difficult breakup. Her pain and sorrow is imprinted all over multiple songs, including the sorrowful second track, "These Eyes," where she sings:

All this cryin' all this fightin' simply ain't my style, Though you're one of the most important people in my life; I loved you from the day we met, I know you love me too; But at this point walking away is the best thing we can do.

It's intelligent, articulate lyrics that are the album's hallmark; India possesses an uncanny knack for perfectly putting her thoughts and emotions into her song lyrics and then perfectly singing them with unbridled emotion. Another example is "Good Mourning," where she mourns the end of a romantic relationship: "Good mourning independence or is it loneliness?; I know I said I wanted this but I have regrets; I prayed for God's will to be done, The very next day you were gone."

Listening to the songs is like listening to an audio version of someone's diary. The words and feelings are so intensely personal, it make you wonder how and why someone would be willing to put so much of themself out there for the entire world to see and hear. But it's this boldness and frankness that makes Testimony such a breath of fresh air compared to most American R&B and Soul music these days. The songs connect with the listener in a way that most artists could only dream of.

Classy and Dignified

Despite the early emphasis on a broken relationship, the entire album isn't all gloom and sorrow. After the initial five tracks, there's several songs that deal with India's recovery and healing from the breakup. Among them are the optimistic "There's Hope" and also "Private Party," about re-finding joy by spending some 'me' time alone.

One of the most impressive things about Testimony is how fresh it sounds, meaning how different it is from every other R&B, Soul or Pop CD out there. You won't hear any of the same production flourishes here that are many other contemporary releases. Instead of enlisting the hot producers of the moment, which would have given her music the same feel and flow of about 90 percent of the other popular artists out there, India produces much of the music herself, keeping the album relatively free of stale or familiar beats or trademark production nuances.

As for the album's musical style: India's debut album was called Acoustic Soul, and that title perfectly exemplifies the style of her second album as well. The album relies heavily on acoustic guitar, India's vocals and little else. While some albums are so overproduced that they resemble a woman with too much makeup on, Testimony is like a pretty girl who has on just enough makeup to accentuate her already lovely features.

Although it's unlikely that Testimony will have as much sales success as India's first album, the second album is just as - if not more - creative, classy, dignified and distinct as her first album. It's easily one of the best R&B/Soul releases of 2006.