Testimony, Vol. 1: Life and Relationship

1	Intro: Loving 1:30
2	These Eyes 4:31
3	The Heart of the Matter 5:15
4	Good Mourning 5:27
5	Private Party 3:52
6	There's Hope 3:57
7	Living (Interlude) 1:23
8	India' Song 5:26
9	Wings of Forgiveness 4:59
10	Summer 3:14
11	I Am Not My Hair 3:47
12	Great Grandmother 0:34
13	Better People 3:08
14	Outro: Learning 1:32
15	I Choose 4:45
16	This Too Shall Pass 5:54

Barnes & Noble

On her third disc, neo-soul's reigning queen of positivity dives deeper into her emotional pool and emerges singing -- albeit briefly -- about pain and disappointment. Loving the skin you're in, taking pride in your hair…it's all nice, but heartbreak sure does make for interesting lyrical content -- just ask Nick Lachey. Of course, India still puts a positive spin on her pathos. On the haunting "Good Mourning," anchored by India's subtle acoustic strumming, she bids "Good morning to the harsh realities of life / Good morning to the fact we're not husband and wife" but ends the song with the epiphany "I know that God's will will be done / It's a good morning after all." Over a funky horn riff and mid-tempo piano groove, "These Eyes" also reflects on love lost, and she even gives a gospel-lite reading of Don Henley's "The Heart of the Matter." The rest of the disc, however, finds the motivational singer up to her old tricks. Leave it to the likes of Alicia Keys to spew threats of the "what goes around, comes around" variety ("Karma") -- India takes the high road ("The Wings of Forgiveness," natch) and thanks the one who trespassed against her for teaching her to forgive. And "I Am Not My Hair" revisits the theme of self-acceptance that permeated her breakout song, "Video." Although she may never rock as hard as her Peach State soul sister Joi or sing about the bitter side of love as plaintively as Jill Scott or Erykah Badu, India.Arie is the rare artist on a mission to spread her ray of sunshine, even when the forecast calls for rain. Tracy E. Hopkins

All Music Guide

India.Arie's third album would've sounded much different if it had been recorded and released shortly after 2002's Voyage to India. It would've either been made just before or immediately after a major breakup, one that informs much of Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship. This isn't a bitter breakup album; instead, it's largely a breakup album that instead involves forgiveness, closure, and -- of course -- the kind of soul searching that Arie's fans have come to expect. Arie's relationship was apparently very serious, as demonstrated in "These Eyes," where she demands respect and wonders what her and his children would've been like. Though songs like "Good Mourning" deal with the immediate aftermath ("Good morning silence, good morning to myself/Good morning to the pain in the center of my chest"), they also seem to revel in it as just another part of being alive ("Good morning acceptance, good morning inner strength/I'm loving every moment, even the inner strain"). The album is a major production. Many of its songs involve well over a dozen musicians, some of which -- Rachelle Ferrell, Keb' Mo', Victor Wooten, Rascal Flatts, Acoustic Soul accomplice Mark Batson -- are bound to make some listeners freak. It's clear that Arie has been listening to a lot of country music; while these songs are completely hers (with the exception of Don Henley's "Heart of the Matter," a song that easily fits into the scheme of the album), it wouldn't be surprising to hear a handful of them covered by contemporary country artists. Since a significant portion of the album is centered around heartbreak and moving on, some of Arie's fans might not ever connect fully connect with it, but it will certainly be of great assistance to any of her fans who find themselves coping with something similar. Andy Kellman

Billboard

An ambitious, aurally rich suite of storytelling songs (à la mentor Stevie Wonder in his '70s heyday) enhanced by Arie's expressive vocals. Gail Mitchell

Boston Globe

Lovely acoustic soul.... [Arie] examines what it means to be alone, to forgive, and to thrive -- all through 15 thoughtful tracks. Sarah Rodman

Atlanta Journal Constitution

[Grade: B+] Her album has a confessional feeling. Songs unspool like diary entries or prayers. The music can swell or bounce. Nick Marino

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

[Grade: B] Rising from the pain of a failed relationship, the singer-songwriter unveils a new level of strength and empowerment as she looks at what happened and where she's going from there. Kevin Johnson