Back To Basics [ECD] - Christina Aguilera > Reviews > Sassy sexy thrilling album

Author's product rating:   

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

Advantages:	Christina shows exquisite vocal brilliance with a down and gritty RnB vibe
Disadvantages:	The circus elements aren't so hot

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

OVERALL REVIEW

I admire Christina Aguilera. The journey she has gone on since her bubblegum pop debut album in titled "Christina Aguilera" 1999 in incredible, both vocally and in reinventing herself. If her last album, Stripped kicked ass, this one goes through the roof!

A mix of swing, soul, jazz and blues influences with a main current of RnB shining right through is what this double edged sharp album is about. An ambitious endeavour by Christina but pulled off with class. The 1st CD is the Christina we already know and love. With songs "Back In The Day", "Ain't No Other Man" and "Still Dirrty" the right amounts of Divadom are there with brassy RnB music complimenting Aguilera's brassy voice.

The 2nd CD gets down lower, grittier and brassier. This is more about experimentation and celebrating the soul greats including James Brown. Old fashioned methods are used for a raspier sound quality. Fabulous indeed.

I can't stop listening to this album, each time different parts capture my attention. This album is far from 2-dimensional.

TRACKLIST

CD 1

Intro (Back to Basics) [1:47] -

- Typical Christina style with intro music, speech clips, a little ditty tune by Christina to inspire her fans and let them know "where it all began..." Her tribute to soul singers, jazz makers, blues figures etc.

Makes Me Wanna Pray [4:10] -

- Gospel track, upbeat, catchy and makes me want to get up and start dancing to myself in the mirror. A proper feel good tune.

Back In The Day [4:13] -

- Soul and really really cool rap sound bytes in the background. James Brown & Otis Redding references. Feel good diva song with an edge of ultimate coolness.

Ain'tNo Other Man [3:48] -

- Lots of big big Christina vocals teamed with brass and medium speed beats. Lots of soulful attitude, think Arethra Franklin.

Understand [3:46] -

- Chilled reggae style beat, a nice tune. Soft and more feminine.

Slow Down Baby [3.29] -

- More brass in this with saxophone. More vocals than beat. Woman-power song "Don't mess with me" kind of stuff.

Oh Mother [3.46] -

- A bit depressing, Christina sings from within in this song.

F.U.S.S. (Interlude) [2.21]

On Our Way [3:36] -

- Piano heavily featured in this song, lows and high experiences sung about and narrated in this song. Less tuneful, more about the lyrics.

Without You [3:56] -

- Lovely guitar plucking in the background. Not the best song on this album, but still lovely. Tender song about love with a bit of beat to lift the tempo from just being a soppy ballad.

Still Dirrty [3:46] -

- Fantastic song! My favourite on the album. Right amount of everything, class & sophistication, attitude and funkyness. "There's a woman inside all of us who never seems to get enough..." She's still got it and we've still got it ladies.

Here To Stay [3:19] -

- Another song in the true Christina 'take it or leave it' attitude. She's proud and headstrong and wants everyone to know that she doesn't care what you think of her.

Thank You (Dedication to fans) [4.59] -

- Remix of Genie in a Bottle with clips of fans thanking her and her singing. Cheesy yes but also inspiring for die hard fans.

CD2

Enter The Circus [1:42] -

- A rather irritating circus ringmaster voice over circus tune - not the highlight on the album.

Welcome [2:42] -

- Dragging on from the last track. I think we get the whole intro thing. Adding more drama I guess to this rather circus-show-esque second CD. Think of it as her version of Moulin Rouge.

Candyman [3.14] -

- 20s Swing style tune with plenty of brass and sweet harmonies.

Nasty Naughty Boy [4:45] -

- Sexual and sensual with, yep you guessed it, plenty of brass. Raspy sexy seductive vocals. Slow.

I Got Trouble [3.44] -

- Similar to above. Vintage raspy vocals made to sound like the recording was done many decades ago. Reminiscent of soul singers that first surfaced in the 20s/ 30s. A personal favourite of mine.

Hurt [4:03] -

- Tender ballad. Sad :-( but beautiful

Mercy On Me [4:33] -

- Organ and gospel choir intro. Black slavery/ gospel sounding song. Dramatic. Amazing notes.

Save Me From Myself [3.13] -

- Acoustic with soft tender singing.

The Right Man [3:51] -

- Gorgeous strings intro. Sounds like it should be sung at the end of a musical. Lyrics are a little corny but if ladies you are in a mopey mood this is the ticket.

MP3 INFO

22 Songs
1.3 Hours
90.4 MB