Back To Basics [ECD] - Christina Aguilera > Reviews > She's taken it back to basics.

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Great variety
Disadvantages:	Not for everyone's tastes

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I have been an avid fan of Christina Aguilera since her first release of Genie in a Bottle. Once i heard that her new album would be jazz inspired and have a 20's,30's and 40's feel i kind of thought "what the heck is she doing". However now that the CD has been released in my opinion this CD is so strong and will go down as one of her most credible pieces of work.

Disc 1

Intro (Back To Basics) - Gets you in the mood and the feeling for the rest of the album. Talks about how she's going to go back to the basics of music such as jazz. Nice little intro to set you up for the album.
Makes me wanna Pray - So much energy in this song. I just saw her on tour and this song is so amazing live. Her vocals are on top notch.
Back in the Day - Really catchy song and people who aren't fond of jazz will like this song as it is pop and really gets stuck in your head.
Ain't no other man - The hard beats and horns in this song, make it so good. A really good choice for her first single from the album. Fast and upbeat , a sure fire hit.
Understand - Starting to slow down on the album. A nice ballad but without being depressing. Sounds like some of her earlier work.
Slow Down Baby - Oh My. I do love this song. It is soo catchy and this needs to be released as a single. It's really sexy and gets you in the mood for some dirty dancing.
Oh Mother - This song nearly made me cry at the concert. It's about the abuse her mother suffered from her violent dad and they showed videos of abuse which was really upsetting. Her voice sounds so raw and emotional on this track. Near the end she does this really emotional bridge that gets me choked up every time.
F.U.S.S - Another interlude, talking about how Scott Scorch didn't help her on this new album, but she still managed to get the record out. Clever song as it lists quite a few of her past hits in the lyrics.
On Our Way - Really like this one. Romantic song which a lot of couples will like. Nice piano background which gives it a vintage feel.
Without You - Sounds old styled but somehow new generation. Yet again her voice sounds so angelic on this track. There's a simple beat playing in the background which just finishes the song off perfectly.
Still Dirrty - Making references to her Dirrty days. This song is definitely funky and has very catchy lyrics. Fans of her stripped work will definitely love this song.
Here To Stay - Great Vocals, great Tune, great energy about the song.
Thank You - REally cool song which i dont think any other artist has done. Has clips from genie in a bottle but encorporates messages made by her fans.

Disc 2

Enter The Circus - Changes the theme of the album. Sounds exactly like the circus and its like a ring leader is inviting you in to the second part of her CD.
Welcome - Very strong vocals,great live track. Sounds like shes singing to a huge croud. Shame the song is only 2 and a half minutes long.
Candyman - Song reminds me of soliders in the war going to a little jazz club. This song got everyone up and dancing at the concert. Really fun and tongue in cheek.
Nasty Naughty Boy - Yet again reminds me of the war era. This song is pretty slow and erotic. Chorus gets going with dirty lyrics like "I'm going to give you a little taste of the sugar below my waist'
I Got Trouble - This is one of the songs that really takes it back to the 20's and 30's. The way the song is sung and the microphone used it sounds really vintage. I'm not really keen on this song, but it adds another level to the album.
Hurt - Second single from the album. Great emotional album. Really sad song but so beautifully song.
Mercy on Me - This is where he voice is so powerful. She absolutely belts the lyrics out on this one and this song proves she is one of the best female vocalists of our generation.
Save me from Myself - Beautiful song. Feels like she is actually next to you singing. She is so close to the mic this song is very raw and no effects are added. A simple guitar and beautiful lyrics make this song a masterpiece.
The Right Man - Song about not having her dad at her wedding. This along with Mercy on me really puts her at the top of the list of best female vocalist. I like the way near the end the beat feels like it builds up and she lets out a final emotional belt as she's overcome.

I absolutely adore this album. It's completely different from anything else she's done, but you could say that about stripped as it was nothing like her debut album. This is why i lover her so much because for her next album she may take a totally different twiste and go for something completely different. In my eyes she has what it takes to be the next Madonna as she keeps reinventing herself. I loved seeing her on the Back To BAsics tour and im sure the americans are going to love the show when she goes over in early 2007.
Great Lyrics, great beats and something totally different in my CD collection. Also the booklet inside the CD is sooo themed. She really spends time and effort putting into them.