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(Universal/Motown) 
After a few listens, India.Arie's first volley in four years begins to resemble an episode of "The View." There are self-help lessons galore, bromides with titles like "I Am Not My Hair," "Wings of Forgiveness" and "There's Hope," and a so-so remake of Don Henley's "The Heart of the Matter." The essential message: Lose the anger and be thankful for what you've got. Although drawing on strong soul, folk, gospel and pop instincts, Arie's "Testimony" simply falls short of the earthy neo-soul peaks of her debut, which was among 2001's best efforts. But in spite of frequently lackluster material, there are some fine moments. "Summer," with its wistful harmonies from Gary Lenox (Rascal Flatts), and "I Choose," a refreshingly funky item with biting guitar from Bonnie Raitt, belong on everyone's iPod. |
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